Luteal phase deficiency is when a woman’s body doesn’t produce enough progesterone during the menstrual cycle, leading to infertility. Symptoms are hard to recognize, but a doctor can diagnose and prescribe hormone supplements or medications to help maintain proper hormone levels.
The luteal phase of a woman’s menstrual cycle is the time between ovulation and menstruation, during which the body produces the hormone progesterone to prepare for implantation of a fertilized egg in the uterus. Luteal phase deficiency is a medical condition in which a woman’s body does not produce enough progesterone during the phase to allow for a successful pregnancy. The luteal phase of a healthy woman generally lasts about 14 days, but a woman who commonly experiences phases of less than 10 days may be suffering from luteal phase deficiency and resulting infertility. There are few easily recognizable symptoms of a progesterone deficiency other than obvious problems with fertility, and the condition must be diagnosed by a trained physician. Fortunately, most women can overcome the condition and experience successful pregnancies by taking hormone supplements as suggested by their doctors.
Progesterone is produced and released by the corpus luteum, a structure that forms during the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle. Insufficient or irregular development of the corpus luteum is a major cause of luteal phase deficiency in healthy women. Without adequate levels of progesterone, the lining of the uterus begins to break down, causing early menstruation and preventing a fertilized embryo from attaching to the uterine walls.
Most women with luteal phase deficiencies do not experience noticeable physical symptoms; they simply find themselves unable to maintain an embryo after conception. Affected women may find that their menstrual cycles are slightly shorter or produce lighter than average bleeding, although such conditions may not necessarily be indicative of luteal phase deficiency. Women generally experience slightly higher body temperatures during their luteal phases, but those with deficiencies often do not maintain elevated temperatures.
A woman experiencing infertility should see her primary care physician or gynecologist, who can perform tests to check for luteal phase deficiency and prescribe appropriate treatment. A doctor usually collects a tissue sample from the uterine lining just before menstruation and orders a biopsy to determine whether or not a deficiency exists. By analyzing biopsy results, tracking a patient’s fertility cycle, and physically recording progesterone levels, the doctor can make a proper diagnosis.
Some women can overcome deficiencies by taking vitamins, especially vitamin B6, and progesterone supplements. If a doctor discovers a severe progesterone deficiency, she may prescribe medications or oral suppositories to stimulate proper development of the corpus luteum and progesterone production. With continued treatment, many people are able to maintain proper hormone levels and enjoy normal, healthy pregnancies.
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