Re: short luteal phase problem

[Guest guest]

On page 60 of Marilyn 's book, "Fertility, Cycles & Nutrition"

I highly recommend this book as a resource. It is available thru

Couple to Couple League and One More Soul

Page 60

"Vitamin B6 alone (200-600 mg/day) has lowered prolactin levels and restored

regular cycles to women with the severe overproduction of prolactin which

causes both amenorrhea and galactorrhea (milk in the breasts of non-nursing women)."

She also mentions The PMS nutritional program developed by Dr. Guy Abraham which

is "designed to overcome luteal phase inadequacy." "This program of diet and

supplements has remarkably restored low luteal phase progesterone and high luteal

phase estrogen to normal levels."

An important aspect about B vitamins and C is they are water soluable and not

stored in the body. Thus the body will eliminate any excess it doesn't use.

Blessings,

Barb

Short Luteal Phase Problem

I am working with a mom who is struggling with short luteal phases. She is nursing her 18 month old, but has night weaned, and very much would like to get pregnant again.

She has her progesterone tested, and here is the result:

"[My midwife] ordered a progesterone test for 8 days past ovulation this cycle. I had the test Monday, and got the results today. The progesterone level was 7.1, and it is supposed to be at least 15. This is after a month taking Vitex and Vitamin B6 and 3 days of natural progesterone cream. I started the progesterone cream after meeting with the midwife and realizing she wasn't going to prescribe me anything before getting test results back. I wanted to try to save a fertilized egg if there was one. I'm now 10 days past ovulation and AF has not arrived yet. I've actually been really tired and wondering if I might be pregnant. I'm still using the Vitex, B6, and progesterone cream. When she gave me the test results, the midwife also gave me a referral to an obgyn (not a fertility specialist) for Clomid."

I have suggested this mom try Optivite, but she is concerned about the high dose of B6. I have also discussed nutrition and night lighting. I took oral natural progesterone supplements during both of my pregnancies (so far!) due to short luteal phase, and it seemed to help.

Could someone recommend anything else for this mom to try?

Thank you!

Pam Pilch, J.D., LCCE

Billings Ovulation Method

[Guest guest]

my quick take is that she probably would benefit from progesterone and at a higher level than available OTC - at Peak plus 10 she might get a + Urine PT if done on a first morning urine - and if so she could ask her midwife to order a serum HCG and serum progesterone and start supplements as indicated. In my hospital we can get a serum progesterone level down as a STAT with the results that day.

Dr. Hilgers likes to use injectable progesterone, but I have used vaginal suppositories in early pregnancy with good success as well. However, as a stop-gap, until the compounding pharmacist can put up the injection or suppositories, I have used Prometrium brand oral progesterone which most pharmacies now keep in stock.

As far as B6 - for puky moms I use a vitamin supplement called Premesis, it has 75 mg B6, 12 mcg B12, and 1 mg folic acid in a timed release formula. I don't remember how much B6 is in OPtivite, but given that a major drug co makes a supplement specifically for the first trimester with 75mg daily........

alicia cnm

-----Original Message-----

Short Luteal Phase Problem

I am working with a mom who is struggling with short luteal phases. She is nursing her 18 month old, but has night weaned, and very much would like to get pregnant again.

She has her progesterone tested, and here is the result:

"[My midwife] ordered a progesterone test for 8 days past ovulation this cycle. I had the test Monday, and got the results today. The progesterone level was 7.1, and it is supposed to be at least 15. This is after a month taking Vitex and Vitamin B6 and 3 days of natural progesterone cream. I started the progesterone cream after meeting with the midwife and realizing she wasn't going to prescribe me anything before getting test results back. I wanted to try to save a fertilized egg if there was one. I'm now 10 days past ovulation and AF has not arrived yet. I've actually been really tired and wondering if I might be pregnant. I'm still using the Vitex, B6, and progesterone cream. When she gave me the test results, the midwife also gave me a referral to an obgyn (not a fertility specialist) for Clomid."

I have suggested this mom try Optivite, but she is concerned about the high dose of B6. I have also discussed nutrition and night lighting. I took oral natural progesterone supplements during both of my pregnancies (so far!) due to short luteal phase, and it seemed to help.

Could someone recommend anything else for this mom to try?

Thank you!

Pam Pilch, J.D., LCCE

Billings Ovulation Method

[Guest guest]

For short luteal phases (< 9 days) associated with

miscarriage and infertility, other than progesterone

injections in the luteal phase, HCG injections can be

very helpful. Usually estradiol and progesterone

levels are both low, since the corpus luteum is

under-producing them. HCG is the hormone produced in

women after implantation- It stimulates the corpus

luteum, resulting in production of more of its own

progesterone and estradiol.

HCG treatment results in lengthening of the luteal

phase as well as, improvement of the secretory

endometrium, making it more receptive to implantation.

It is injected on peak + 3, 5, 7 and 9, quite possibly

in small volumes (0.5 mL) using a tiny needle (e.g.

insulin needle). This makes it much more tolerable

than progesterone injections for the same purpose.

NaPro principles include HCG as an option for

treatment of the luteal phase, leading to lengthening

of the phase.

Cataudella

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[Guest guest]

Hi,

THanks so much for responding to my question about this!

Warmly,

Pam Pilch, J.D., LCCE

Billings Method