Understanding Luteal Phase Defect

Unlock Your Cycle's Potential: Say Goodbye to Luteal Phase Challenges

The menstrual cycle can be divided into the follicular phase (the first half of the cycle, when egg development is occurring), the ovulatory phase (when the egg is released) and the luteal phase (when progesterone is produced, and embryo implantation can occur).¹

The luteal phase defect (LPD) presents a disruption in this phase due to either inadequate progesterone production or inadequate endometrial response to progesterone. It is associated with compromised endometrial receptivity, hampered embryo implantation, and a possible increased risk of early pregnancy loss.¹

It is when the uterine lining doesn’t thicken or grow enough to support a pregnancy. A thick uterine lining is necessary to grow a pregnancy.²

What is the luteal phase?²

The luteal phase is the part of the cycle that prepares the uterus for a potential pregnancy. It begins after ovulation and lasts until you get your period. In most people, the luteal phase lasts between 12 and 14 days. Right before the start of the luteal phase, an egg leaves your ovary and travels through your fallopian tube. Progesterone levels rise to help prepare your uterine lining for pregnancy. If the egg becomes fertilized by sperm and travels to your uterine lining where it fertilizes, you become pregnant. If the egg isn’t fertilized by sperm and you don’t get pregnant, hormone levels drop, and you shed the thick lining of your uterus during your period. Some people possess a short luteal phase, which means their periods begin within 10 days of ovulation. Others possess a long luteal phase and don’t get their periods for up 17 days or longer after ovulation.

How does a luteal phase defect affect fertility?²

A luteal phase deficiency can make it difficult to get pregnant and remain pregnant. This is typically due to low progesterone levels, which affect your uterus’s ability to support a pregnancy. For example, you may be unable to get pregnant or you may get pregnant but lose the pregnancy shortly after (miscarriage).

What are risks of a luteal phase defect?²

The two biggest risks of a luteal phase defect are infertility and miscarriage. A luteal phase deficiency prevents your uterine lining from growing thicker. A thick uterine lining creates the healthiest environment for egg implantation and fetal growth (the fertilized egg growing into a fetus).

What causes a luteal phase defect?

Health conditions that affect progesterone levels could increase your risk of a luteal phase defect. These include:²

• Endometriosis
• Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
• Obesity
• Stress
• Excessive exercise
• Eating disorders like anorexia
• Thyroid conditions
• Disorders involving your pituitary gland

Other factors that may contribute to luteal phase defects are impaired follicular genesis, low levels of LH, abnormal levels of FSH or abnormal response by the ovaries to FSH, or abnormal response of the endometrium to progesterone.³

How do you know if you have a luteal phase defect?²

There isn’t one test or criteria to diagnose a luteal phase deficiency. Your healthcare provider may recommend blood tests to check the following hormone levels:

• Progesterone: This hormone is primarily responsible for growing your uterine lining after ovulation.
• Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH): This hormone causes your follicles to grow each cycle. Follicles contain your eggs.
• Estrogen: This hormone is made by the developing follicle and causes thickening of the uterine lining before ovulation.
• Luteinizing hormone (LH): This hormone triggers ovulation or the release of an egg from a follicle.

How do you fix a luteal phase defect?²

It depends on your situation and your desires for pregnancy. If pregnancy is your goal, your healthcare provider may treat a luteal phase defect with medications like:

• Clomiphene citrate or human menopausal gonadotropins (hMG), which stimulate follicle growth.
• HCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) to increase progesterone production after ovulation.
• Progesterone supplements (oral, injection or vaginal suppository).

5 Dietary Tips to Naturally Increase Your Luteal Phase⁴

Foods rich in vitamin C

Guavas, bell peppers (capsicum), kiwifruit, strawberries, oranges, papaya, broccoli, tomato, snow peas and brussel sprouts

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Foods rich in Vitamin E

Sunflower seeds, almonds, hazelnuts, pine nuts, peanuts, brazil nuts, avocados, spinach, kiwi fruit and broccoli

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Foods rich in Vitamin D

Fish, beef liver and specially fortified dairy products.

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Foods rich in folate

Green soybeans, beef liver, lentils, asparagus, spinach, broccoli, avocados, mangos, lettuce and kidney beans.

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Foods rich in antioxidants

Walnuts, blackberries, blueberries, pomegranates, goji berries, artichokes, raspberries, plums, cauliflower, and strawberries.

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