Did you know that our cycle is divided into phases? After ovulation, the luteal phase comes into play and it is the final stage of a woman’s cycle. The phases of the cycle are distinct and divided into the follicular phase, fertile period, and luteal phase1. It all starts with the follicular phase, when the egg is stimulated to grow and mature for ovulation.
What Happens During the Fertile Period
During the fertile period, the woman releases this egg for possible fertilization, and this is when the luteal phase actually begins. After the egg is released, the corpus luteum starts to form. What was previously a follicle housing the egg now becomes an important factor in the maintenance of a possible pregnancy.
The luteal phase is named after its main player: the corpus luteum. As soon as the follicle releases the egg, this same “cocoon” fills with blood to help in the production of progesterone. Progesterone plays a very important role in the luteal phase, which is to keep the endometrium intact so that the embryo can implant in time.
The follicle fills with blood, making the corpus luteum more vascularized. This corpus luteum encourages progesterone production, causing a peak of this crucial hormone. The other hormones are low, since progesterone dominates the luteal phase.
How long does the luteal phase last?
The luteal phase lasts, on average, from 11 to 16 days, which can vary from woman to woman and also from cycle to cycle2. However, for most women, a luteal phase of at least 14 days is the most common.
Women with a luteal phase shorter than 11 days should be alert, as the chance of pregnancy may decrease due to the endometrium’s short duration. As we have mentioned, the endometrium is essential for pregnancy to occur.
If the luteal phase is shorter than the time it takes for the zygote (embryo) to travel from the fallopian tubes to the uterus, then the chances of getting pregnant are reduced. The minimum time should be 11 days and the maximum 16 days—don’t forget that.
If you have doubts about the length of your cycle and want to monitor it and your ovulation more closely, a great way to help is by using ovulation tests. They will show if ovulation is approaching, happening, or already over, indicating the right time to try and get pregnant faster.
Super interesting video about the phases of ovulation
If a luteal phase shorter than desired is detected, there are ways to help lengthen it. The use of medications based on synthetic progesterone can make all the difference. In most cases, these medications produce good results.
In the case of luteal phases longer than 16 days, the causes may be:
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Excess progesterone production: High progesterone levels would prevent the endometrium from breaking down, so there would be no window for menstruation to occur. The corpus luteum would not undergo a natural regression at this stage and it would be as if it had a longer life due to natural body stimulation.
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Possible pregnancy: Usually, this is the most likely cause of a luteal phase longer than usual. The corpus luteum supports the pregnancy until the initial placenta—the yolk sac—assumes its role. This happens around the 6th week of pregnancy.
The luteal phase also leads to significant thickening of the endometrium. This is especially true if fertilization is detected after the fertile period. Somehow, the body recognizes this fertilization and sends an extra signal to stimulate the corpus luteum, which then secretes even more progesterone. The endometrium at this stage is called secretory.
When to Take a Pregnancy Test During the Luteal Phase?
The test should be taken after the usual days of the luteal phase. However, since not all women know exactly how many days their luteal phase lasts, it is advised that the test should be taken only after at least five days of late menstruation.
If implantation occurs, the luteal phase becomes the initial stage of pregnancy. The corpus luteum remains until it can hand over its place to the yolk sac. If this implantation does not happen, the corpus luteum slowly shrivels and will certainly disappear along with menstruation, starting a new cycle so that the whole process can repeat.
Thus, taking the test too early may affect the result since HCG may not be present yet, especially if the woman’s luteal phase is longer than average. Not all women who get a positive before a menstrual delay have long luteal phases, but most women have an average luteal phase of 14 days.
The problem is precisely with women who have an extremely short cycle of 21 or 22 days, as they may be suffering from corpus luteum deficiency and may need to support the body’s natural progesterone.
How to Supplement the Body’s Natural Progesterone
This support can be through medication or even with food that can be consumed. Red meat, eggs, fish, chicken, milk, and dairy products can help supplement your body’s progesterone. To calculate its duration, simply know the day ovulation is likely to occur, whether by ultrasound, mucus monitoring, ovulation tests, or by tracking your basal temperature.
As we mentioned earlier, for some women, it is possible to correct these hormonal imbalances with dietary changes. Some research indicates that yam contains substances that induce ovulation. The phytohormone diosgenin3 can stimulate hormone levels in the brain, helping to regulate the cycle and improving the chances of conception.
The days until menstruation appears are the days of your luteal phase length. If pregnancy does not occur, menstruation will come and the luteal phase will end. Monitoring the luteal phase can help you to even detect a pregnancy, don’t forget this!