The second phase of a woman’s menstrual cycle is called the luteal phase and is the period between ovulation and the date when the following menstruation begins. Fertilisation and implantation occur during this phase of the cycle.
As you can imagine, any disturbance during the luteal phase of the cycle can be a reason to worry, as it may affect fertility. Most experts agree that a luteal phase shorter than 12 days does not give the uterus enough time to develop a nutritive lining for a growing foetus and, therefore, it will cause a miscarriage if fertilisation did occur.
The second phase of a woman’s menstrual cycle is called the luteal phase and is the period between ovulation and the date when the following menstruation begins. Fertilisation and implantation occur during this phase of the cycle.
As you can imagine, any disturbance during the luteal phase of the cycle can be a reason to worry, as it may affect fertility. Most experts agree that a luteal phase shorter than 12 days does not give the uterus enough time to develop a nutritive lining for a growing foetus and, therefore, it will cause a miscarriage if fertilisation did occur.
Luteal phase defect symptoms
- Short menstrual cycle
- Low progesterone levels
- Decrease of the basal body temperature after ovulation
- Unusual symptoms during the luteal phase, such as back pain, bleeding and soft stools
Keeping a calendar and a diary of your menstrual cycle may help you determine the length of your luteal phase and whether you have low progesterone levels. It is estimated that luteal phase deficit affects up to 63% of the women who have repeated miscarriages and 6-10% of fertile women.
There are several factors that may cause luteal phase defect. The most common of them is low progesterone. Progesterone is an important hormone, necessary to preserve the uterine lining (endometrium) and the pregnancy during the first trimester. If a woman’s progesterone production has not reached the optimum level during this important phase of her cycle, a luteal phase defect may occur.
Low progesterone and luteal phase defect
Progesterone is produced throughout the cycle, with increasing levels right after ovulation, which remain high until the next menstruation begins. If the progesterone level does not rise enough after ovulation or declines too soon before menstruation, it may determine a short luteal phase.
These are some of the most common causes for low progesterone:
Low follicle production
If the pituitary gland does not produce enough follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) during the first half of the menstrual cycle (the time between the first day of the last menstruation and ovulation), then the follicle production may be weak, which may determine a thin uterine lining and early menstruation. Of course, this will prevent fertilisation and implantation from occurring.
Early decline in progesterone levels
If progesterone levels drop too soon (usually within a few days after ovulation), then the body will automatically think it is time to clean the uterus, i.e. to shed the uterine lining and begin a new menstrual cycle. Very short cycles (shorter than 24 days) are usually a sign of this type of luteal phase defect.
Low luteinising hormone (LH) levels
LH rises before ovulation occurs (24h). When it reaches its maximum level, LH determines ovulation, i.e. the breaking of the dominant follicle and the release of the mature egg from the ovary into the Fallopian tube. A lower than normal rush of LH at the time when ovulation should occur may prevent the actual ovulation from occurring and also determines a low progesterone level.
Inadequate thickening of the endometrium
A fertilised egg requires a nourishing environment to develop into a foetus. This is the responsibility of the uterus. However, if the uterine lining (endometrium) is not thick or strong enough, it is not capable of supporting this new life and a miscarriage may occur. This situation can also be caused by low hormone levels or hormonal imbalance. Oestrogen is the hormone that thickens the uterine lining preparing for implantation, while progesterone prevents the shedding of the endometrium.
Excessively low cholesterol levels and weight that is below average
Another cause of luteal phase defects is abnormally low cholesterol, which results in a low progesterone production. All hormones, including progesterone, need cholesterol to be able to be produced by the body. Weight that is below average can also be a cause of luteal phase defect, as a low level of body fat may cause low hormone levels.
Solutions for luteal phase defect
While a luteal phase defect may be a rather serious issue, preventing the embryo from implanting properly, the good news is that in most cases it can be helped by natural therapies. Luteal phase defect and low progesterone levels may be influenced through a variety of methods:
All of these foods are necessary for an adequate hormone production in the human body.
Diet
Make sure that any of the following suggestions are combined with a diet rich in:
Vitamin C
A clinical trial has shown that vitamin C improves hormone levels and increases fertility in some women with luteal phase defect. During the study, 25% of the women who received vitamin C got pregnant within 6 months, compared to the placebo group, where 11% achieved a pregnancy during the same period of time. Some foods rich in vitamin C are: citrus fruits, bell peppers, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, strawberries, etc.
Essential fatty acids: omega 3 essential fatty acids, in particular, are important for hormone production. Some foods rich in essential fatty acids are: flax seeds, walnuts, salmon, sardines, black halibut, shrimps, clams and chia seeds.
Cholesterol from eggs, coconut oil and fats from organic products and animals fed naturally: Cholesterol is necessary for hormone production. Some foods rich in good cholesterol are: beef from cattle fed naturally, cow or goat dairy products (from grass-fed animals), eggs from ecologically-raised hens and coconut oil.
Vitex agnus castus
For those who are looking for a natural manner of increasing their progesterone levels, an excellent solution is a supplement with standardised Vitex content, such as ProFecund. Also known as chasteberry, Vitex is one of the most effective plants for balancing the female hormonal system, and it has been used for over 2,500 years. Studies show that this plant effectively contributes to extending the luteal phase duration
Vitex is not a hormone, and yet it acts on the hypothalamus and pituitary gland, determining their specific hormonal secretion or sending the necessary chemical signals to the ovaries for oestrogen and progesterone release. Vitex determines an increase of the luteinising hormone (LH) secretion if the follicle stimulating hormone secretion decreases. As such, Vitex enhances the hormones involved in ovulation, while also participating in hormonal rebalancing. More specifically, Vitex is effective in regulating the pituitary gland function and in normalising the oestrogen and progesterone levels. Vitex is extremely effective in supporting the ovulation regulation and, consequently, in increasing female fertility.
Progesterone
Another possible treatment for extending the luteal phase is a progesterone ointment. The natural progesterone ointment should be used twice a day on soft areas, such as the inner arm or the inner thigh, after ovulation and until the date of the next menstruation. If the problem is linked to low LH levels, only then might a progesterone ointment be ineffective.
Vitamin B6
Many women reported an extended luteal phase after taking vitamin B6 supplements, due to the hormonal balancing effect that vitamin B6 has on the human body. Vitamin B6 can be found in tuna, bananas, turkey, liver, salmon and many green vegetables. Taking a vitamin B6 supplement may also be a solution. Make sure you are using vitamin B6 with a vitamin B complex or multivitamins so as to avoid any imbalances.
Antioxidants
Recent studies have discovered that oxidative stress can be a cause for luteal phase defect. Women who had a luteal phase defect and recurring miscarriages have proven to have a significantly lower level of antioxidants than healthy women.
Luteal phase deficit is a serious medical condition, as it can hinder achieving pregnancy. Fortunately, this problem can often be solved easily with the therapies indicated above. We recommend you test your blood progesterone levels ahead of time so as to assess your need for supplementing the progesterone level.
For the regulation of the female hormonal system, including for the regulation of the blood progesterone level, we recommend a course of ProFecund treatment of at least three months. This is the natural product designed to increase female fertility.