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The corpus luteum is a cyst derived from the ovulatory follicle, which secretes progesterone after the egg is released. It appears after ovulation and is essential for pregnancy to happen. It may seem like a very complicated thing, but it is not! Many people have no idea that the corpus luteum exists, let alone what it is for. However, for those who are trying to get pregnant, it is very relevant information!
Image of enlarged ovary with a large corpus luteum. The corpus luteum cyst is the yellow part and the ovary is the bottom part.
To understand what the corpus luteum is, we need to start at the beginning. Let’s understand the ovulation itself and understand the functionality of this illustrious but little-known character. It all starts when the woman menstruates. Soon after menstruation the maturation of new follicles begins so that ovulation occurs in the fertile period. In the first phase, the main hormones are estrogen and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) that make the development of the endometrium happen and also the maturation of eggs.
Cycle Phases
The cycle has 3 stages: follicular phase, fertile phase and luteal phase . In a normal ovulation cycle, stimulation of 10 to 20 small eggs is common. Usually one of them develops faster and gets bigger than the others, and it usually becomes the so-called dominant follicle.
This follicle, after growing and maturing, reaches about 21mm thick and can be released by the ovary. Then the luteinizing hormone (LH) kicks in, and its peak signals the release of the egg. At this point it is very important to know that egg white mucus is a great sign of ovulation. Also, one of the signs that ovulation is about to happen, are the famous stitches on one or both sides of the lower abdomen in women.
If you are trying to get pregnant and want to do a more detailed monitoring of your cycle, one tip is to use ovulation tests that will indicate if ovulation is approaching, if it is happening or if it is over. In this way it is possible to know when is the right time to date and get your positive faster. You can buy your ovulation test here in our online store .
The corpus luteum can confuse even doctors!
When the egg is finally released to be fertilized, what used to be the dominant follicle now becomes a corpus luteum. The corpus luteum starts to secrete progesterone so that the endometrium remains thick, and thus can house a possible embryo when nesting occurs and carry on with pregnancy.
This phase of the cycle is called the luteal phase. The corpus luteum is the main secretion of progesterone and that is why it is so important that it is active. It is common to see written on the ultrasound report: Presence of secretory cyst in the right or left ovary.
It is precisely the presence of the post-ovulatory corpus luteum. Many women can be confused thinking that a cyst is always harmful, but a temporary functional cyst may be the best sign for anyone who is looking for pregnancy. The functional cyst or corpus luteum cyst is the certainty that there has been ovulation and with that a possible pregnancy can be even closer to happen. However, the corpus luteum can also be confused with some dermoid cyst due to its shape, even by doctors.
When Pregnancy Symptoms Appear
When the egg is fertilized, it begins to multiply and attaches itself to the endometrium. This process is called nidation . After this event, the corpus luteum starts to secrete even more progesterone and causes the symptoms of pregnancy to appear. It also results for some women in the famous stings and reported discomfort, breast pain and other symptoms so common. However, if fertilization does not happen, or happens but there is no implantation, the corpus luteum begins to disintegrate and leaves at the same time as the endometrium in menstrual bleeding, and then a new cycle begins.
Women who are trying to conceive become more sensitive to the signs of a possible pregnancy. Therefore, the pain of activity caused by the corpus luteum can be perceived more easily and the symptoms become more evident, similar to those of pregnancy.
But the symptoms may be just a reflection of ovulation and an increase in the progesterone produced by the corpus luteum. We must remember that in order to take symptoms into account, time is of the essence. If the menstrual delay happens and the symptoms continue, it is very likely that ovulation may have resulted in a pregnancy. Just be patient and wait for the right time to take the test. If due to anxiety you are unable to wait until your period is late, opt for more sensitive pregnancy tests such as the Famivita brand. Its sensitivity of 10 mUi and can detect HCG levels up to 5 days before the expected menstruation date. You can purchase them here in our online store.
Questions from Readers:
How is the corpus luteum formed?
Every month the corpus luteum is formed from the dominant follicle after ovulation. It remains producing hormones e. when pregnancy does not occur, it lasts about 14 days until it starts to break up.
How to identify the corpus luteum?
To identify the corpus luteum it is necessary to do an ultrasound, where through the images it is possible to verify its presence.
Where is the corpus luteum during pregnancy?
When pregnancy actually occurs, the corpus luteum remains in the ovary, grows and becomes much larger than the follicle that originated it. The larger its size, the better for pregnancy as it secretes progesterone to maintain the endometrium in the early stages of pregnancy.
See also: Pregnancy Symptoms – What and When to Consider? and Pregnancy Calculator
My name is Dr. Alexis Hart I am 38 years old, I am the mother of 3 beautiful children! Different ages, different phases 16 years, 12 years and 7 years. In love with motherhood since always, I found it difficult to make my dreams come true, and also some more after I was already a mother.
Since I imagined myself as a mother, in my thoughts everything seemed to be much easier and simpler than it really was, I expected to get pregnant as soon as I wished, but it wasn’t that simple. The first pregnancy was smooth, but my daughter’s birth was very troubled. Joana was born in 2002 with a weight of 2930kg and 45cm, from a very peaceful cesarean delivery but she had already been born with congenital pneumonia due to a broken bag not treated with antibiotics even before delivery.
