Pregnancy is one of the most celebrated life events. When pregnancy fails to occur in a woman seeking to get pregnant, frustration, sadness, and anger are possible outcomes. Unfortunately, up to one in six women who desire pregnancy are unable to achieve pregnancy within a year. Home remedies, traditional medicines, and prescribed medications will be tried; peace of mind may be elusive until the cause of infertility is uncovered and pregnancy occurs.
The root cause of infertility in a relationship can be traced to the man, woman, or both in equal proportions. When the underlying cause is from the woman, it may be due to luteal phase defect, a common, treatable condition that has been associated not only with infertility but also miscarriage.
The menstrual “clockwork” problem in luteal phase defect
The menstrual cycle is a complex process that involves several hormones, including oestrogen and progesterone. Like clockwork, the levels of these different hormones rise and fall during the menstrual cycle. The menstrual cycle begins with menstruation and has two main phases.
The highlights of the first phase of the menstrual cycle are menstruation and, approximately midway through the menstrual cycle, release of a mature egg from the ovary. The main hormone at work in this first phase is oestrogen. The luteal phase is the second half of the menstrual cycle. During this phase, progesterone, another one of the key reproductive hormones, thickens the endometrium and prepares it to receive and support the growth of a fertilized egg, a process called implantation. If the egg released by the ovary does not get fertilized by sperm, progesterone level drops, the endometrium is shed, and the menstrual cycle starts again.
Luteal phase defect occurs when there is a problem with progesterone production during the luteal phase. This can lead to a shortened luteal phase, making it difficult for the endometrium to thicken adequately for implantation. Luteal phase defect can lead to infertility, miscarriage, or difficulty carrying a pregnancy to term . A major symptom of luteal phase defect is an abnormal menstrual cycle. Affected women may experience short menstrual cycles (usually less than 21 days), spotting before the start of a period, or heavy bleeding during menstruation. However, it is often difficulty getting pregnant or recurrent pregnancy loss that leads affected women to seek medical help.
When doctors suspect a luteal phase defect, they may recommend blood tests to check the levels of the different hormones that affect the menstrual cycle. Sometimes a pelvic ultrasound may be done to evaluate the womb and its lining and check for other conditions. This careful evaluation may uncover factors that are known to be linked to luteal phase defect, such as hormonal imbalances, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), and thyroid disorders. Other possible contributory factors include endometriosis (a condition where the lining of the womb grows outside it), excessive exercise, ageing, poor nutrition, stress, some oral contraceptives, and fibroids.
In addition, certain women have genes that increase their risk of having this defect.
One treatment does not fit all
A careful look at the conditions associated with luteal phase defect should convince you that medications are not the only remedy. For some women, lifestyle changes such as reducing stress levels, improving nutrition, and reducing exercise can also effectively correct luteal phase defect.
When medication is required, a doctor may prescribe progesterone to help thicken the endometrium and better prepare it for implantation and growth of the fertilized egg. Prescribed progesterone can be taken orally or inserted vaginally, and the dosage and duration of treatment will depend on the individual case. Another hormone besides progesterone that doctors sometimes administer is HCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin). This hormone stimulates progesterone production. For some women, fertility drugs such as clomiphene may be prescribed to stimulate ovulation and increase progesterone production during the luteal phase.
Luteal phase defect can be a complex condition to diagnose and treat. Therefore, seeking advice from a medical professional is crucial for proper diagnosis and effective treatment. With the correct diagnosis and treatment plan, many women with luteal phase defect can conceive and carry a healthy pregnancy to term.
An ounce of prevention goes a long wayPreventing Luteal Phase Defect is not always possible, but there are some actions that women can take to lower their risk. Maintaining a healthy weight, reducing stress levels, eating a balanced diet, and avoiding excessive exercise can help reduce the chances of developing this condition.
According to experts, the most effective way to prevent Luteal Phase Defect is to take good care of overall health. This includes regular medical check-ups, healthy eating habits, engaging in regular exercise, and reducing stress levels. Following these simple steps, women can improve their overall health and reduce the risk of developing luteal phase defect .
Remember that luteal phase defect is often reversible. In most cases, lifestyle changes or a regimen of drugs and supplements may be all that is needed to get correct the menstrual clockwork and get all the gears moving.
This article was sponsored by Fidson Healthcare PLC.
