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Did you know that our cycle is divided into phases? After ovulation, it is the luteal phase that comes into play and it is the last stage of a woman ‘s cycle . The phases of the cycle are distinct and divided into follicular phase, fertile period and luteal phase. It all starts in the follicular phase, in which the egg is stimulated to grow and mature for ovulation .
What Happens in the Fertile Period
In the fertile period, the woman has this egg released for possible fertilization, and this is where the luteal phase really begins. After the egg is released, the corpus luteum begins to appear. Before, what used to be a follicle that housed the egg, now becomes an important responsible for the maintenance of a possible pregnancy.
The luteal phase takes its name from its protagonist: the corpus luteum. As soon as the follicle releases the egg, that same “cocoon” fills with blood to help produce progesterone. Progesterone plays a very important role in a luteal phase, which is to keep the endometrium intact so that the fetus can implant itself in time.
The follicle fills with blood, making the corpus luteum vascularized. This corpus luteum encourages the production of progesterone and then there is a peak of this very important 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 cycle. However, the most common among women is a luteal phase of at least 14 days.
Women with luteal phase less than 11 days should be aware, as the possibility of pregnancy may decrease due to the short time of endometrium permanence. As we already mentioned, the endometrium is essential for a pregnancy to happen.
If the luteal phase is shorter than the travel time of the zygote (embryo) from the tubes to the uterus, then the chances of getting pregnant are shortened . The minimum time should be 11 days and the maximum 16 days, don’t forget.
If you have doubts about the duration of your cycle and want to do a more detailed monitoring of it and your ovulation, a great way to give extra strength is to use ovulation tests that will indicate if ovulation is approaching, if it is happening or if it’s over, indicating when is the right time to date and get your positive faster. You can purchase your Famivita ovulation test here in our online store.
Super interesting video about the phases of ovulation
If a luteal phase is found to be less than desired, there are ways to help prolong it. Use of synthetic progesterone-based drugs can make all the difference. Most of the time, these medications give a good result.
In the case of luteal phase longer than 16 days, the causes may be as follows:
An excess of progesterone production : The rise in progesterone would not let the endometrium fall apart and, thus, there would be no gap for menstruation to happen. The corpus luteum would not have a natural regression at this stage and it would be as if it had a longer life by natural stimulation of the body.
Possible pregnancy : Usually, this is the most likely cause to happen in a luteal phase greater than usual. The corpus luteum supports pregnancy until the initial placenta – the yolk sac or yolk sac – assumes its role. This occurs around the 6th week of pregnancy.
The luteal phase still provides the woman with a significant thickening of the endometrium. Even more so if fertilization is detected after the fertile period. Somehow, the body perceives this fertilization and sends an additional signal of stimulus to the corpus luteum, which, in turn, starts to secrete even more progesterone. The endometrium at this stage is called a secretory .
When to Take the Luteal Pregnancy Test?
The test should be done after the usual luteal phase days. However, as not all women know exactly how many days their luteal phase is, it is worth mentioning that the test should only be done after at least five days of menstrual delay .
If nesting occurs , the luteal phase becomes an early stage of pregnancy. The corpus luteum remains until it can yield its place to the vitelline vesicle. If this implantation does not happen, the corpus luteum slowly wilts and, certainly, will disappear with menstruation and start a new cycle so that the whole process is repeated.
Thus, taking the test too early may be affected because the appearance of HCG is not yet prone, especially if the woman’s luteal phase is longer than average. Not all women who get positive before the delay have long luteal phases, but most women have an average luteal phase of 14 days.
The problem is precisely in women who have an extremely short cycle of 21 or 22 days who may be suffering from a deficiency of the corpus luteum and may have to help supplement the body’s natural progesterone.
How to Supplement the Body’s Natural Progesterone
This supplement can be via medication or even food that can be eaten. Red meat, eggs, fish, chicken, milk and dairy products can help supplement body progesterone. To calculate its duration, it is enough to know on what day your ovulation is likely to happen, either by ultrasound, mucus control, ovulation tests or through basal temperature.
As we mentioned earlier, for some women, it is possible to correct these hormonal imbalances with dietary changes. Some research shows that yams have ovulation-inducing substances. The phytohormone diosgenin is able to stimulate hormone levels in the brain, helping to regulate the cycle, providing better chances of conception. In addition to, of course, the fresh option, there is the possibility of consuming it in liquid or capsules, and you can purchase your yam capsules here in our virtual store.
The days until menstruation appears are the days of the luteal phase. If pregnancy does not happen, menstruation will come, and then the luteal phase will end. Keeping an eye on the luteal phase can help detect even pregnancy , don’t forget that!
See also: Positions for Getting Pregnant – Tips and Tricks
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.
