The menstrual cycle is a complex but beautifully coordinated process. Whereas ovulation may steal the scene, the second stage, the luteal phase of the cycle, is equally of great importance, particularly to conception. However, what is it that takes place in this phase? What are its impacts on fertility, hormones and pregnancy probability?
In this blog, we take a close look at what happens during the luteal phase, why it is important, and what you need to know whether you are trying to conceive or getting fertility treatments such as IVF.
When Is the Luteal Phase and When Does It Start?
The luteal phase is the stage of the menstrual cycle that starts after ovulation and continues till the time of the next menstruation period. On average, it starts on day 15 or 16 and goes on for 12 or 14-day period of a 28-day cycle. And thus, when does the luteal phase start? When your body releases an egg during ovulation, that is when the luteal phase starts.
What Occurs During the Luteal Phase?
After ovulation took place, the follicle that was ripped open and passed the egg transforms into a structure known as the corpus luteum. This is the temporary gland that is significant in the luteal phase:
- Progesterone Production: Progesterone is a hormone that makes uterine lining (endometrium) thicker and ready to be inhabited by a fertilized egg; this is secreted by the corpus luteum.
- Preserving the Uterine Effect: Progesterone also helps the uterus not contract thereby giving the embryo a stable environment to implant and mature.
- Potential Fertilization: In case of meeting of sperm and fertilization of the egg, the luteal phase prepares the ground of early pregnancy.
- No Fertilization? In case of non-fertilization, the corpus luteum dissolves, resulting in a decrease of the progesterone and thus the appearance of menstruation.
Association between Luteal Phase and Fertility: The Importance of Luteal Phase
Proper luteal phase is a prerequisite to conception. Failure to offer sufficient time to the uterus lining to nurture a fertilized egg because of a short or inadequate luteal phase (otherwise referred to as luteal phase defect) can result in the inability to conceive or sustain pregnancy during the early stages.
Luteal Phase Problems Signs:
- Premenstrual spotting
- Short periods (<26 days)
- Recurrent early losses
Changes in Hormones at the Luteal Phase
- Progesterone: Reaches its peak during this phase, so that it promotes embryo implantation
- Estrogen: It increases once more in the mid-luteal period to encourage the growth of the endometrium.
- When Pregnant: The human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) begins to be produced by the body, which instructs the corpus luteum to continue increasing progesterone.
Observing the presence of these hormones will enable fertility specialists to determine whether the luteal phase is performing superbly or not.
What are the Symptoms of the Luteal Phase?
Most of the women have certain symptoms during this period, and this is usually referred to as PMS (premenstrual syndrome):
- Bloating
- Breast tenderness
- Mood swings
- Fatigue
- Mild cramping
That is how these symptoms occur due to the changing levels of hormones and is just normal as long as it is not too excessive.
Tracking Luteal Phase: How To Do It?
Knowing more about your luteal phase is not only a wise move by women undergoing fertility treatments but it is an active move to know better about your reproductive health. Monitoring of the luteal phase will assure you are more accurate in charting your cycle and learn to identify abnormalities.
When you observe that you regularly have a shortened luteal phase (less than 10days), or when you constantly spot in between periods, these may indicate that you have a luteal phase defect.
This phase may be tracked in a number of ways:
- Basal Body Temperature (BBT): Your BBT will go up a little bit after ovulation thanks to higher progesterone levels. Prolonged increase is a sign of the onset of the luteal phase.
- Ovulation Predictor Kits (OPKs): These are useful to verify when you have ovulated after which you can then count the days post-ovulation.
- Hormone Testing: Progesterone blood testing, typically performed about 7 days after ovulation can be used as an evaluation of luteal lobe function.
- Cycle tracking apps: These are apps that can track your symptoms, cycles and predictions so you have proper answers.
Monitoring your luteal phase will help you give a fertility specialist more information, make lifestyle changes in time, and prepare to have a baby in a more informed manner.
The Way to Support a Healthy Luteal Phase
When you are attempting to conceive, then it is important to support your luteal phase:
- Diet: Consume things that are rich in Vitamin B6 and magnesium, and healthy fat
- Less Stress: Great stress can cause imbalance of hormones
- Healthy Weight: Being overweight or underweight could have an influence on your cycle
- Know Your Cycle: There are apps or ovulation kits that can tell you the timing of your luteal phase, as well as the duration of the luteal phase
Medical Treatment of Luteal Phase Problems
When you consider the luteal phase issue, you can be diagnosed medically. The doctors can suggest:
- Progesterone supplements
- Ovulation-inducing medications
- Hormone blood tests to observe levels of the hormone levels
During fertility treatment cycles, particularly during the IVF or IUI treatments, physicians keep close observation of the luteal phase in order to provide the best of conditions to implant the embryo.
Sum Up: Luteal Phase is the Portal of Pregnancy
Knowing about the time of occurrence of the luteal phase and its functioning is important for women seeking to conceive. It is a major prelude towards enabling the body to get ready to become pregnant. It also helps you about any slight changes that may interfere with fertility. Your luteal phase may be a factor in case you have irregular periods, miscarriages, or can not conceive easily.
To seek the advice of a specialist and get advanced fertility support, visit SCI IVF Hospital. Being one of the best IVF and ICSI centers in India, SCI IVF is a place where highly experienced doctors, kind care and advanced technology lie. The team will assist couples in the realization of starting a family with taking into account all the peculiarities of reproductive health, hormone background, and management of the cycle.
Your parenthood process should have a professional approach. Make your appointment at the SCI IVF Hospital today.
