The Community for Catholic Moms

Over 40

Wasn't there a discussion with roughly the same title in this category last week? I was watching it for some other mom's who might be in this category.

We are hoping to conceive, but my charts are showing shorter cycles than I am used to having. Does anyone know if this is a sign of pre-menopause and how likely it is to conceive at this point?

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Permalink Reply by Kristin Detloff on July 6, 2009 at 2:18pm

It can be but without seeing your charts it would be hard to say. It could be something as simple as low progesterone causing you to have a short luteal phase. Or you could just be ovulating earlier then normal. I have had times where my cycle has dropped from 31 days to 23-24 days and for me I think it was due to trying to lose weight. I was right in the middle of where I should be regarding my bmi but I think my body likes me to have a bit more weight on when conceiving. I let myself gain 5 pounds and started having normal charts again conceiving the next month. My point is that although you think to premenopause due to age I'm assuming, it's possible it's something else all together. If you are able to show your charts to an NFP teacher or NFP doctor I would recommend that or if you would like to e-mail them to me I can take a look also. Good luck!

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Permalink Reply by S J on July 8, 2010 at 5:14pm

In one of Kimberly Hahn's books, she discusses miscarriage and the benefits of vit b6 supplementation for a shortened luteal phase. Vit b6 has a similar effect to progesterone supplementation. The daily dose is between 50 and 200 mg. After three miscarriages at 6 weeks (which can be characteristic of low progesterone), I started taking 100 mg daily and my cycles have increased in length by 6 days!