Back on the B vitamins – breastfeeding and luteal phase

My personal experience with breastfeeding and luteal phase

It was this time (almost!) three years ago that I was told my progesterone was so low that I couldn’t be ovulating. The same day that I found out I was pregnant with Rory (so much for that no ovulating theory), and I was sure I’d lose him, just as I’d lost the previous pregnancies, because I didn’t have enough progesterone to safely carry a pregnancy through those first weeks.

My periods only returned when Rory was 18 months (11 months with Arlo). Since then, for the first time, I’ve been able to properly keep an eye on my cycles, and, low and behold, I have luteal phase defect once again.

For the uninitiated, this means I have a shorter second half of my cycle. The bit after ovulation and before your period starts. I usually get 7 days at best. This means I am on my period every three weeks. It means that my luteal phase is not long enough to sustain a pregnancy.

Note: If you’d like to learn more about luteal phase issues, I have a whole article all about the simple ways to lengthen your luteal phase. I used some of these methods to get my cycles in a good position to conceive my third and fourth babies. 

This time, I’m not trying to get pregnant. The problem is that alongside my messed up cycles comes a load of not particularly amazing symptoms. This is my main concern for now, and the thing I am desperately hoping to change for the better.

My hair has thinned and lost body. Meanwhile, in other areas, it has flourished – most definitely unwanted. My body is holding on to weight more stubbornly than ever before.

And I am getting what can only be described as actual proper cystic acne. It doesn’t let up at any point throughout my cycle. As a result my skin constantly looks a mess. There is no recovery time, it’s constantly angry and very noticeable. I’ve never had issues with breakouts before. Not even as a teenager. And now it’s off the scale.

Being a woman is bloody great sometimes, eh?

All of this has culminated in some rather negative feelings. Luckily, body confidence has never been something I’ve given much thought to, until now anyway. And I’m grateful that I am experiencing it now for the first time rather than during those emotionally-wrought teenage years. It’s an uncomfortable feeling.

Meanwhile, I find myself asking “What support is there for breastfeeding mothers with hormone-related issues? In the grand scheme of things, it’s not the worst problem to have, but even so, I do worry whether five years of pregnancy, breastfeeding, imbalanced hormones and weird cycles is “OK” because it’s “natural”, or whether it’s a chronic problem that could affect negatively on my health if ignored.

I am also aware that ceasing breastfeeding might not provide the cure-all that I suspect. If everything is down to elevated prolactin, then yes. But I’m just blindly guessing at that. If it’s PCOS, or high testosterone, then it might not be so easily reversible. I guess I won’t really know until I stop having babies and breastfeeding. And I’m assuming that’s what a GP would suggest before anything else.

What I do know is that in January I had six days away from Rory whilst I was in New York. And I also had a 28 day cycle that month. An actual standard 28 day cycle! The likes of which I don’t think I’ve ever seen since pre-Arlo days.

Emotionally, I would happily give up breastfeeding now. Rory would be fine, and I would actually really like it.

But breastfeeding is what I do. It’s all I know. It’s how we all, literally, sleep at night. It’s how we get by. It’s so far ingrained as a parenting technique. If you’ve always fallen asleep lying down in a bed and then suddenly someone tells you you are now going to always fall asleep standing up, you could work out a logical plan in your head for how to go about it, but that doesn’t necessarily make the reality possible, and certainly doesn’t make it easy.

Short of someone physically taking him away for a few weeks, and crossing my fingers that he’s forgotten about breastfeeding when he returns (unlikely), I actually have no idea how to cease breastfeeding until Rory is ready, as happened with Arlo.

I would like to say that we continue breastfeeding because of the benefits (health, social, and confidence-wise), but the reality is, it’s never felt like an active choice, as such. I am trying to hold down my own business working from home with no childcare hours, and at night in a two bedroom house, I’m doing my best to placate and resettle a child without disturbing everyone else – breastfeeding has always been my answer in these two circumstances.

I took advantage of a window of opportunity when I was away for two full days, and Rory was slightly removed from his usual habits, to impose a few time restrictions. This way, we are very nearly milk free during the day time. It’s the nights where he still feeds like a newborn. But cutting out a few feeds is one of the best ways to quickly improve luteal phase issues whilst breastfeeding. 

I’m back taking the B vitamins and the Vitamin C that I think helped to some degree last time. I am also trying to follow all the other suggestions for increasing progesterone.

As with most parenting dilemmas, there are no clear answers to this, no prescriptive path to take. As usual, I’m just muddling through, doing what feels best at the time.

At some point it all sorts itself out, one way or another.

The link between breastfeeding and luteal phase

I’ve outlined my personal experience with breastfeeding and luteal phase. Now it’s time to explore the connection between breastfeeding and the luteal phase, delve into the science behind it, and discuss treatment options for those facing this challenge.

Understanding the Luteal Phase

Before delving into the connection between breastfeeding and the luteal phase, let’s first understand what the luteal phase is and its significance in the menstrual cycle. The menstrual cycle has two primary phases: the follicular phase and the luteal phase.

1. Follicular Phase: This is the first phase of the menstrual cycle, during which the pituitary gland releases hormones that stimulate the growth of ovarian follicles, each containing an egg. This phase culminates in ovulation when a mature follicle releases an egg into the fallopian tube.
2. Luteal Phase: Following ovulation, the luteal phase begins. During this phase, the empty follicle transforms into the corpus luteum, a temporary endocrine structure that produces progesterone. Progesterone is crucial for maintaining the uterine lining in preparation for potential implantation of a fertilized egg.

The typical luteal phase lasts about 10-16 days, with 14 days being considered the norm. If the luteal phase is too short, it may not provide enough time for the uterine lining to develop adequately, potentially leading to difficulties in sustaining a pregnancy.

Breastfeeding and Short Luteal Phase

Breastfeeding, particularly in the first few months postpartum, can have a significant impact on a woman’s hormonal balance, which, in turn, can affect the length of her luteal phase. Here are some key factors that explain the link between breastfeeding and a shortened luteal phase:

1. Prolactin Levels: Breastfeeding stimulates the production of prolactin, a hormone that plays a central role in milk production. Elevated prolactin levels can suppress ovulation, leading to delayed ovulation and a shorter luteal phase.
2. Low Progesterone Levels: The corpus luteum is responsible for producing progesterone during the luteal phase. However, in some breastfeeding women, the corpus luteum may not produce enough progesterone, resulting in a shortened luteal phase.
3. Cervical Mucus Changes: Breastfeeding can influence cervical mucus, making it less favourable for sperm survival and transportation, further hindering fertility.
4. Lactational Amenorrhea Method: Some women rely on exclusive breastfeeding as a natural form of contraception, known as the lactational amenorrhea method (LAM). While LAM can be effective protection against pregnancy, it also prolongs the return of fertility.

The Impact of Breastfeeding on Fertility

A shortened luteal phase can have a negative impact on a woman’s fertility. It may increase the risk of early miscarriage, as the uterine lining may not be sufficiently prepared to support the implantation of a fertilized egg. Additionally, a short luteal phase can make it challenging to conceive, leading to emotional turmoil and frustration for couples trying to have a second child.

Treatment Options

If you’re a breastfeeding mother facing a short luteal phase, here are some strategies to consider:

1. Wait and Observe: In many cases, the luteal phase naturally returns to normal as breastfeeding frequency decreases and hormonal balance stabilizes.
2. B Vitamins: Some studies suggest that B vitamins, particularly B6, may help lengthen the luteal phase. Consult with a healthcare provider before starting any supplements.
3. Hormone Evaluation: Blood tests can assess your hormone levels, helping identify any underlying conditions or deficiencies that may be contributing to the issue.
4. Manage Stress and Sleep: Adequate sleep and stress management can play a crucial role in regulating hormonal balance and cycle regularity.
5. Weaning or reducing number of breastfeeding sessions to increase luteal phase. 

Understanding the connection between breastfeeding and the luteal phase defect is essential for navigating this period effectively. If you’re concerned about a shortened luteal phase, consult with a healthcare provider who can offer guidance and treatment options tailored to your unique circumstances.

Remember that every woman’s experience is different, and with the right support, many can regain their normal menstrual cycle and return of fertility as their breastfeeding journey evolves.

OLD POSTS ON THIS SUBJECT:

Miscarriage and trying to conceive / Getting pregnant with Rory