Luteal Insufficiency

What is luteal insufficiency?

A common cause of infertility is luteal insufficiency1. In this case, the luteal hormone (progesterone) is present in the body in too low a concentration. The hormone is produced in the ovaries after ovulation and ensures that the uterus is supplied with more blood. This prepares the uterus for the implantation of the egg and a possible pregnancy.

Corpus luteum insufficiency (CLI), as it is known in medicine, is sometimes only noticeable at second glance. A shortened cycle, especially in the second phase after ovulation, can be an indication of this (see figure). Lady-Comp users can closely observe their temperature curve after the cycle, because a peak (high temperature) should be recognizable after ovulation. If the luteal phase (the time after ovulation but before menstruation) is shorter than ten days, or if the basal body temperature rises only gradually or remains at a low level, this could be an indication of luteal weakness. Lady-Comp detects a possible luteal weakness and displays this as CLI in the statistics.

Important to know: The CLI indicator is NOT a confirmation of luteal insufficiency. Cycles with a not completely pronounced luteal phase are not uncommon and no reason to worry! Only if this indication (CLI) occurs frequently is it advisable to discuss this circumstance with the attending physician.

What are the effects of luteal insufficiency?

Particularly for women who want to have children, the deficiency of this hormone has effects. If too little progesterone is produced, the fertilized egg cannot implant properly. Either no pregnancy occurs at all or the risk of miscarriage in the first twelve weeks is increased2. After the twelfth week of pregnancy, the placenta takes over the production of the corpus luteum hormone, and the risk of miscarriage is lessened.

Women who do not wish to have children may suffer more from premenstrual syndrome (PMS), spotting before their actual period, or fibroids due to the lack of progesterone (citation). However, other triggers may be behind these symptoms.

Where does a corpus luteum deficiency come from and what can be done?

A deficiency is normal during puberty and shortly before and with the onset of menopause. If women of childbearing age suffer from it, the deficiency can either be of organic origin, such as an autoimmune disease, or the composition of the hormones produced in the pituitary gland is not correct.

Another cause can be physical or mental stress (link). If you suspect that you are suffering from a deficiency or that you are unable to become pregnant, you can have this checked by a doctor by means of a blood test. For this purpose, blood is taken three days after ovulation - i.e. in the luteal phase - in order to check the increase in the corpus luteum hormone.

If you have PMS symptoms or wish to have a child, the herbal substance monk's pepper may help with a corpus luteum insufficiency (3). However, you should always discuss taking any supplements  with your doctor.

The deficiency of the corpus luteum hormone is often called different names. You may also hear it  referred to as progesterone deficiency, luteal insufficiency, luteal phase insufficiency or corpus luteum insufficiency.

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1) Gynäkologische Endokrinologie > Ausgabe 2/2010; Autoren: PD Dr. B. Toth, S. Rösner, C. Thöne, T. Strowitzki

2) Mary D. Stephenson, Dana McQueen, Michelle Winter, Harvey J. Kliman, Luteal start vaginal micronized progesterone improves pregnancy success in women with recurrent pregnancy loss, Fertility and Sterility, Volume 107, Issue 3, 2017

3) Bergmann, J. S.: Die Wirksamkeit des Komplexmittels Phyto Hypophyson L bei weiblicher, hormonell bedingter Sterilität – Eine randomisierte Doppelblindstudie. heiDOK. 2001.