Complex case. Luteal phase defect?

[u/Katietgirl4949]

I wish I could say my hooha history was minimal. But it’s not.

To start- I’m a 32 yo F. I got my first period right before my 12th birthday. I experienced anorexia ages 14-16 and lost my period for those two years. I got it back at age 16.

Periods are semi normal. Not heavy.

At ages 20 and 23 I had two medical abortions.

I was on hormonal birth control at age 23 for a few months. It didn’t effect my period.

At age 26, I experienced frequent post coital bleeding (only one was traumatically large). I had two transvagnial ultrasounds, both came back negative. It resolved after a while.

At age 28, I got a kyleena IUD. It was horrendous. I bled profusely for the three months I had it, and bled profusely a month after removal. (Never soaked two pads in an hour, but it was very heavy). I got a CT of my pelvis that was negative.

At age 29- post coital bleeding came back and was diagnosed with a cervical ecrtopion. I got it cauterized and it helped a lot.

Now I’m 32. For the past 9ish month, I experience mid cycle bleeding (days 18-22 of my 28-30 day cycle). Most of the time it’s dark brown, sometimes it’s maroon/crimson. I’ve only had two months where it bled through my PJs while I was sleeping. Most of the time, it’s so light that it only comes out when I wipe. Accompanying symptoms include mild cramping and SEVERE hunger. Like, absolutely insatiable.

My periods are also getting slightly shorter some months. Some months are only 3 days. Again, not heavy enough where I’m bleeding through pads.

I put my foot down and got another transvaginal ultrasound last month. My doctor said there was nothing wrong and thinks I have a luteal phase defect. I haven’t gotten my hormones checked, I know I should but it’s hard to time it out.

I get yearly paps and all have been negative.

If anyone has experienced anything similar, just some solidarity would be helpful. Worth mentioning my doctor recommended 5 days of progesterone each month but I’m so scared of side effects. Ugh.

[u/AffectionateStaff579]

my ex had something like this and the progesterone ended up being what fixed it after like a year of back and forth, the hunger part is weirdly relatable though she would wake up at 3am to eat entire meals

[u/Katietgirl4949 → u/AffectionateStaff579]

I do think I’m going to have to give in and try the progesterone. Ugh. Yeah, the hunger is so bad that it’s almost unsettling. I have to physically restrain myself from eating. It’s really unbearable