Short luteal phase - vitex causing it?? Or losing too much weight?

[maidentomother]

I was doing an extreme version of IF based on rodent research (adapted for human metabolism). I alternated 12 hours of eating as much as I like (2000-4000 cals) and 36 hours of complete fasting (just water/calorie free drinks, though at one point I'd eat around 50-100cals during my fasting period bc I was on a med that had to be taken with food). It was both stressful and oddly peaceful. The physical/health benefits were amazing (other than constipation) but it made socialising awkward. Not bc I minded being around food while fasting, but I received a ton of judgement and just going out to eat when I couldn't wasn't very fun.

[atomic sagebrush]

I do want to mention that I don't like you guys fasting for swaying though. People tend to take things way too far when swaying and I think that people will take that idea and go WAYYY too far with it.

We are already doing a little intermittent fasting with skipping breakfast back.

[honeybee37]

Yeah that's what I thought. I used to do 5:2, for no particular reason other Han I am a total control freak with food. This month I have REALLY been trying to be more laid back, but somehow have managed to lose another pound and am now 7 stone 11 which I know is not enough for my height (5'7"). I'm on cycle day 18 which is way past when I normally ovulate and am showing 'low fertile' on my new clear blue digital monitor and not much ewcm☹️. Usually I have loads from day 11 and ovulate on day 16/17. Am also temping this month. The pay three days I've had 2,000 kcal and have cut back exercise to 60
Min from 75, inc some days where I've just done a big walk. What the hell is going on??? Could it be dropping vitex or am I just too thin??? I do actually feel like I'm gearing up to ovulate (more EWCM), but is later ovulation swaying blue or does it mean my body tried earlier (I had patches of EWCM and a few darker lines on OPKs but nothing proper, then faint lines and no temp rise), and it's now trying again, with a few more kcal behind it??!! Or am I talking nonsense as usual?! I really feel like I need to get pregnant soon..., am so so broody and am struggling to keep up the Le diet at a manageable level (ie, at a level which doesn't impinge my fertility and with my skinny body size anyway, is tricky...) help!!!!

[maidentomother]

Remember that it might take a cycle or two for your body to get back to normal now that you're eating more and weight loss has slowed/stopped. So don't freak out necessarily, your body was stressed but now, under less stress, it should normalise soon. I would add a can of soda or 100-200cals of fatfree candy to one of your meals to up your cals a bit more in the most pink friendly and weight loss halting manner. Keep up the exercise though at 60min or 75min of less intense cardio. Some women have really high metabolisms especially when exercising, I think that you are one of them! I am too and we are the same size.

It sucks to O later but it will sway pink for you (as will failed attempts to O, all these changes and cycle weirdness really seems to sway pink) and even Oing in the CD20s isn't THAT late or that big of a deal. I'd definitely switch to BD E4D if you were doing one attempt at positive OPK.
Or maybe even go to E3D if you've been TTC for 3+ cycles and on diet for 6+ months.

[honeybee37]

Thanks maiden. This morning I had 'high' on my digital OpK monitor - should we BD tonight or wait for a peak fertility day? I'm tempted to wait. Yeah I def have a high metabolism when exercising.i flit between panicking I'm eating too much to panicking I've rendered myself infertile!! Hope you're doing ok maiden!

[maidentomother]

Wait for Peak, it's normal to have 4 days of Highs but some women have several days, even weeks of Highs. You can't know how far away your Peak is until you've used it a few cycles.

I'm doing okay, I was able to improve my conception odds this cycle (3dpo today) via 2 attempts, increased fertile CM, and being on Clomid. I am very slightly hopeful. Next cycle I should be able to try with a new donor and I'm very optimistic about that.

[honeybee37]

That all sounds really positive. Fingers crossed this is your month.

[atomic sagebrush]

Later ovulation in and of itself DOES NOT SWAY. It is the REASON for later ovulation. Some people O late because they have PCO and they are also more "set" for blue. But that is NOT what is going on with you. I think you actually have impinged on your fertility a little (which is what we WANT for a pink sway) and you just need to stay the course and don't panic because it WILL come.

Please try not to panic, CD18 is not even late O yet really. Still in normal range.

[atomic sagebrush]

Thanks maiden. This morning I had 'high' on my digital OpK monitor - should we BD tonight or wait for a peak fertility day? I'm tempted to wait. Yeah I def have a high metabolism when exercising.i flit between panicking I'm eating too much to panicking I've rendered myself infertile!! Hope you're doing ok maiden!

Wait for peak!

I also want you to kick into e4d after this peak in case this is a faker. unprotected sex every 4 days from attempt thru AF arriving

[honeybee37]

Got it! I will go for e4d after the peak. If the peak ever comes!! Waaaay less EWCM than any other month and just don't 'feel' as fertile, it that makes sense. But also feel more chilled and less frantic about everything so hopefully that's everything kicking in.... I REALLY hope it works this month!!