AboutBrigid Kowalczyk Expertise Natural Family Planning is a risk-free, safe, and economical alternative to chemical and barrier contraceptives. NFP is easy to understand, aids in fertility awareness for spacing children as well as increasing communication and assisting couples to conceive. I do not answer questions about other forms of birth control.
Experience I like being able to help people find alternatives to artificial birth control. I am not a doctor or a medical person. I cannot answer medical questions.
Organizations National Association of Legal Professionals, (NALS). Couple to Couple League (www.ccli.org - national organization for NFP)
Education/Credentials Medical Assisting diploma, Bachelor of Arts, Associate of Applied Science in Legal Studies.
Awards and Honors College graduate with high honors; high school graduate with highest honors;
Expert: Brigid Kowalczyk Date: 1/8/2008 Subject: low post ovulation temps
Question Do low post ov temps correlate with low progesterone? I have always had regular 28 day cycle. Charting with Fertility Friend estimated my June, July and August luteal phases were only 9-11 days (no temps, just signs/symptoms). I only started temping 2 months ago. With temping, my luteal phase has been 13 days. Here's what brings me to my question....My November temps stayed around 97.28-97.46 (with occasional higher temps) pre ov, ovulation on CD 18 and 97.8-98.49 post ov. This turned out to be a 31 day cycle because I ovulated later than I normally do, I think b/c of stress. My December cycle temps are 96.74, 97.22, 96.48, 96.5, 96.84, 97.17, 97.49, 97.63, 96.71, missed day, 96.60, (estimated ovulation day) CD12 97.15, 97.36, 97.47, 97.51, 97.59, 97.57, 97.27 (CD18 today). It seems that this month's temps are alot lower than last month's. I've done everything the same as far as temping and I'm having my regular PMS. I'm just curious whether a lower than normal progesterone level could be the culprit. Also, my last period was shorter by 2 days than normal and the flow was much lighter. If this cycle's LP is 13 days that would give me only a 26 day cycle. In all my 20 years of having a period, of course not counting the time it took to get regulated, I've never had a change in my period like this.
Answer So you are probably in your mid 30's? Low progesterone is a cause of a short post Luteal phase and low temperatures. Thyroid is a cause of low temperatures. You could be in the early stages of peri-menopause, it wouldn't be too early for that.
I suggest you do complete charting of all signs and symptoms, get checked out for hypothyroidism and then start taking vit B6. PMS also goes with the low temps, short PL and low progesterone. I had PMS really bad and got rid of it with 1000 mg of B6 per day - it went away that same month!
I'm not a doctor, just a woman who's done research and had some experience with what you are talking about. B6 doesn't have any risks at high doses, especially if you need it. I took it at that level for a year or two.
Try natural approaches to your problem before you get into heavy hormones or steroids. Let me know if you have any other questions.
