how long should the luteal phase be and how do you count it?

I guess I am trying to figure out info about luteal phase because I had read that if it's too short that can cause a problem ttc. I track my temps but have found that on this high dose of clomid they are high all the time. When I was on 50 mg I was very warm the days that I took the pills but on 100 I am warm many nights and keep having night sweats from it. I also do OPK's to track my ovulation.

Thank you for all of your information. It is definitely very helpful.

There is much more to detecting your phase than just calendar dates. I think the best way to understand it is to go to Google Images and type "menstrual cycle chart". You will see one of the charts on the first row depicts the two phases, along with how they coincide with hormone levels, ovulation, basal body temperature, etc. Are you tracking these as well?

To know which phase you are in, understanding some of the mystery behind the phrase names is helpful. The Follicular Phase is just your follicle (egg) maturing to prepare for it to be released (ovulation). The released egg then is called a corpus luteum until your menstrual period begins, and this phase is thus called the Luteal phase. At the beginning of the luteal phase, you will see surges in LH and FSH, a dip in basal body temperature. Your endometrial lining is thickening during the luteal phase, to prepare for the egg to be fertilized; if it does not within a few days, it will be shed along with the thickened lining during your period about 14 days later.

I am not sure why you are focused on the exact length of time of your luteal phase? It really does not matter in trying to conceive, as it is the follicular phase that you actually want to have unprotected sex during. Most experts say to have sex every-other day leading up to ovulation, as sperm can live up to 3-5 days inside your body, and once an egg is released, it only lives up to about 24 hours.

Does this help?

Thank you. You are very helpful in answering all my questions. isn't it a problem if you get period too soon after ovulation?

last month i believe that ovulated on october 6th and got my period on the 18th. how long was my luteal phase?

The luteal phase is counted as 1-8 days after ovulation. Mid-luteal phase is 9-14 days after ovulation. The "average" woman then has her menstrual period about 14 days after ovulation, but this "average" varies greatly.

From my understanding, Clomid does not cause a change in length of a certain phase/cycle, but it helps in the production of necessary hormones for each phase.

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