Key Takeaways
- While it is perfectly normal for it to take several months for a pregnancy to occur, illnesses can also be the underlying cause.
- A luteal phase defect can be responsible for an unfulfilled desire to have children.
- This article explains how to recognize if you are suffering from luteal phase deficiency.
Luteal phase deficiency, medically referred to as luteal insufficiency, is one of the most frequent causes of infertility and is a functional disorder of the ovaries. The corpus luteum, which normally forms in the ovaries after ovulation, does not develop sufficiently in the case of luteal insufficiency.
As a result, too little progesterone is produced. Yet progesterone is essential for the implantation of the embryo in the uterine lining. Too little of the hormone means that the lining of the uterus does not build up sufficiently, making implantation impossible, or increasing the likelihood of early miscarriage during the first weeks of pregnancy.
Symptoms: How Do I Recognize Luteal Phase Deficiency?
An irregular cycle is an important symptom. With progesterone deficiency,...
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Medically Reviewed
This text was created by medical editors on the basis of specialist medical literature and current studies. Our aim is to work scientifically, identify sources and regularly check that the content is up to date.
References & Literature
- Bühling, Kai J. "Nutrition and dietary supplements in women wishing to conceive." Gynecological Endocrinology 17.1 (2019): 3-10.
- Stute, Petra. "Combined hormone replacement therapy with vaginal progesterone—sufficient for endometrial protection?" Gynecological Endocrinology (2022): 1-2.
- Khan, Muhammad Jaseem, Anwar Ullah, and Sulman Basit. "Genetic basis of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS): current perspectives." The application of clinical genetics 12 (2019): 249.
