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Home › Articles › Conditions Affecting Conception and Pregnancy › Luteal Phase Defect

Luteal Phase Defect

How LPD Affects Fertility

By Gwen Morrison

Pages:  1  2  3  4  

The luteal phase refers to the span of time in the menstrual cycle between ovulation and the onset of the next menses. Most women have a luteal phase that lasts 10-14 days. If the luteal phase is shorter than 10 days or longer than 14 days, you may have a luteal phase defect (LPD).

Why the Defect?
Information gathered by the InterNational Council on Infertility Information Dissemination, Inc. (INCIID) in Arlington, Va., describes LPD as a commonly misunderstood condition that frequently affects fertility.

In a normal cycle, your body creates a hormone called FSH (follicle stimulating hormone), which causes the formation of a mature, egg-containing follicle in one of the ovaries. The follicle bursts and turns into what is called the corpus luteum, which secretes the hormone progesterone. The elevated progesterone causes the uterine lining to thicken and gives the embryo a place to attach. When a luteal phase is fewer than 10 days, a pregnancy cannot be sustained because there is not enough progesterone being produced.

There are several places where a normal menstrual cycle can be interrupted. Poor follicle production, premature demise of the corpus luteum and failure of the uterine lining to respond to normal levels of progesterone are some of the causes. These can be separate problems, or they can overlap each other in causing disruption to the normal cycle.

Diagnosing the Problem
Information obtained from INCIID says that women who monitor their basal body temperature on a daily basis (fertility charting) will often notice that the elevated temperature does not stay elevated for the average 12 days during the luteal phase. Also noted is that many women who monitor the time of ovulation will notice that their next cycle begins sooner than the normal 12- to 14-day time span.


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Re: Luteal Phase Defect by Anna Davies on 02/12/2010 09:11PM

There are few basic observations regarding LPD. Temp stays low, your feet are cold and especially at night. Mid-cycle vaginal discharge appears but it is excessive, ovulation occurs but there's no sexual desire, spotting etc. Kidneys have great effect on your temp and ultimately on progesterone production. Well and much more in the long run Just my 2 cents Anna Davies-http://www.myshortlutealphase.com/

Re: Luteal Phase Defect by anonymous on 01/28/2010 02:26AM

I too am convinced I have luteal phase defect. I had a chemical pregnancy last month and am currently taking supplements as I hope this won't happen again. My husband (who's a GP) is convinced I don't have LPD..will wait and see if my LP changes.

Re: Luteal Phase Defect by anonymous on 11/07/2009 04:12PM

I was convinced I had a short luteal phase and started taking progesterone even though my doctor said she didn't believe a short LP was a real condition. I took the supplements for a few months-they didn't do anything. After I stopped taking them I got pregnant a few months later...so I guess my doctor was right. Donna

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