Short Luteal Phase?

[KDM]

Hello

I'm 25 years old and I stopped taking the contraceptive pill at the end of March 2012 after being on it for 10 years as my husband and I wish to start a family (I took quite a few different types in this time, but never had a break). While on the pill, I experienced bleeding between periods. Doctors did tests for STD's and it all came back clear, the only thing that seemed to stop the bleeding slightly was changing the brand of pill I was on, but the bleeding soon returned. Since coming off the pill, my cycles quickly settled in a 28 day cycle, however, the last two cycles have worried me slightly.
From 9 days past ovulation, I begin to have slightly pinkish discharge with the very occasional streak of bright red blood (this is only ever a very small amount of blood) going to brown discharge by day 12 and the my full period starting on 14/15 days past ovulation.

The questions I have are...... Should I count the start of my period as day one being when the pinkish discharge appears of when I have my full period?
AND If it is when the pinkish discharge starts, should I be concerned about a short Luteal phase?
ALSO, is the bleeding that I had between periods while on the pill a possible sign of a short luteal phase?

Sorry if I have rambled, but the internet provides such conflicting information and I know that it is advised that you not contact your GP in regards to fertility until you have been trying for a year or more.

Help would be very much appreciated.

[Infertility Network UK]

Hi KDM

Often an early bleed can be down to having a short luteal phase. This is when you have ovulated and the “corpus luteum” (the collapsed follicle after the egg has been expelled) does not produce enough progesterone to sustain a pregnancy, should one occur. Hopefully, after being on the contraceptive pill for such a long time, your menstrual cycle will revert back to the 28 days it started as. Regarding day 1 of your period, this will be the first day you bleed properly and not any spotting/discharge in between. I realise that to be referred to a fertility specialist, you will have to have been trying for longer, but if you are worried, then your GP should be able to check whether you are ovulating at the correct time, by ordering a “Day 21 progesterone” blood test, which is done as it says on Day 21 of your menstrual cycle. Let’s hope all is resolved soon for you.

[Mr. Hugh Byrne, MRCOG]

Your cycle sounds entirely normal, and it is telling that you say you bleed properly 14 days after day 9 - this sounds good. Count the first full day of bleeding as day one. Regarding advice above, the day 21 level may reassure you but it is not going to help you by telling you what happened LAST month. Best you test your urine for LH surge i.e ovulation prediction, from day 9 of your cycle.

[Dr Madhurima Rajkhowa]

Hi
Just to add to the discussion, inter menstrual or pre menstrual spotting is not uncommon, and is often difficult to explain or to completely resolve. As you are trying for a pregnancy, we would advice regular intercourse 2-3 times a week, rather thandepend on LH predictor kits, as they are often difficult to interpret. You count the first day of proper bleed as day 1 of period and if you keep a diary, you can check for ovulation around seven days before your next period is due , and repeat that a couple of months. The concept of short luteal phase is controversial and there is no clinica dat whether it exists and whether it has any impact

BW