Clomid or progesterone?

[Anonymous]

I sent this email to my ob-

I have been charting my basal body temperature this cycle. I am now on cycle day 24. I used ovulation predictor kits and they were all negative, but temperatures indicate I ovulated on cycle day 14. I spotted last Sunday, cycle day 8, and today it looks like I got my period. I am cramping and I have light bright red bleeding.
I am worried as this would mean my cycle was only 23 days and my luteal phase only 9 days long?
Since I got my period back in November 2009 after my October miscarriage, cycles were 26 days, until the past cycle, which was 29 days and the ovulation predictor kit was positive on cycle day 15. Cycles before my miscarriage were always 28 days.

She had the nurse call back, and the nurse told me the dr. prescribed clomid so I would ovulate. This sounds weird to me, wouldn't you think what I need is progesterone? Or am I clueless? I do think I ovulated.....

[Anonymous]

I would love to hear what others think of this too. I've also noticed that my leutal phase is too short and just went for my first consultation with an RE. He told me that a short leutal phase usually reflects poor development of the corpus luteum which secretes progesterone - thus clomid will promote better ovulation and a better corpus leuteum. But in my internet research (see for a good example http://www.inciid.org/printpage.php?cat=infertility101&id=7) I've found that you can also have a LPD if the corpus luteum fails prematurely. The latter cause is better treated with progesterone but the RE did not mention this as a valid treatment. In fact when I asked whether they would treat with clomid or progesterone he implied that treating with progesterone is not ideal since the egg quality might not be as good as it would if the corpus luteum had developed properly.

Also my appointment happened to be a day or two before I ovulated and he checked my ovary by ultrasound and the follicle measured 23 cm which is a good size maybe implying that the corpus luteum is developing normally??

I am having further testing this month to see what is really going on but I'm suspicious that the RE will push for clomid rather than progesterone no matter what. Have others had similar experiences and what did you end up doing?

[Anonymous]

PP- did the RE run any any tests?

What is weird with me is that the cramps have stopped, and the bleeding stopped. It never made it much to the pad, just like spotting, the blood was when I wiped and peed.

I don't know what's going on.

[Anonymous]

PP here. The RE will run tests this month.

you mentioned that you are charting BBT - did your temp go down when you thought you started your period? or maybe you will find out tomorrow. Apparently implantation bleeding can happen between day 5-12 after fertilization and cramping and spotting can be an early sign of pregnancy (or the start of your period).

[Anonymous]

My temps are still WAY above coverline. Very anxious to see where they are at tomorrow.

What tests will he run? I will get an appt with one.

I really hope it was implantation..... but doubt it. It has completely stopped now, and I am just a bit crampy, that's all. Very strange.

[Anonymous]

My temp dropped to .15 above the coverline. I think it's over this cycle.... calling RE later today...

[Anonymous]

Does you OB want you to start Clomid without monitoring? If so, I would not listen to your OB. You need monitoring (ultrasounds and bloodwork) not only to ensure that you are not producing too many follicles, which would increase your chance of multiples, but also to measure your uterine lining to make sure the Clomid doesn't thin it too much.

Also, I would be reluctant to try Clomid without being sure about the Clomid vs. progesterone because if your body is really sensitive the Clomid could effect your lining for months, while the progesterone would not have any long term effects on your fertility.

[Anonymous]

I had a similar problem last fall and found that if I took a B6 supplement it lengthened my lutal phase by 2 days, long enough for me to get pregnant!! I don't remember the dosage but it was recommended in TCOYF, and I just did some searching online for the dosage. I would try that for a couple of months before going on Clomid, which can be quite powerful

[Anonymous]

Yes, my OB just called in a Clomid prescriptin after she read my email.
Turns out It was only spotting on Tuesday, but my period relly started yesterday. which still made for a short 24 day cycle and 10 day luteal phase. I might start taking B6 vitamin, lthough I have read that it might be myth that it works....