What Are the Causes of Luteal Phase Defects?
A luteal phase defect can come through a significant issue in the follicular stage. Due to the defect, the number and quality of follicles remain underdeveloped per their need. The follicle eventually becomes corpus luteum and affects the amount of progesterone. A person having this defect may have a short luteal phase. Other causes are given as follows:
Smoking: As per a study, smoking reduces the body’s ability to produce progesterone. This can lead to a defect.
Endometriosis: A condition where a tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows on other parts of the body.
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS): This syndrome causes irregular menstrual periods, excess hair growth, acne, and infertility.
Obesity: A chronic disease that leads to excessive body fat. It is also a leading cause of poor health.
Eating disorders: Anorexia and other such eating disorders too are a cause of a luteal phase defect.
Thyroid conditions: Diseases where the thyroid gland does not make the right amount of hormones. Hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism are the two types of thyroid disease.
Pituitary gland disorders: This gland is located at the base of your brain. The pea-sized endocrine gland releases important hormones and controls the function of other endocrine glands. Any disorder related to it can be life-threatening.
Stress and Excessive Exercise: Stress and excessive amounts of exercise are also the leading causes of a luteal phase defect.
What Are the Symptoms of Luteal Phase Defects?
Apart from the difficulty in conception or miscarriages, the other symptoms of luteal phase defects include:
Spotting: A significant amount of bleeding between periods indicates a luteal phase defect.
Slow rise in Basal Body Temperature: A method of natural family planning. This involves taking your temperature before you get out of bed each morning. A slow rise in it is a symptom.
Frequent Periods or Short time between periods: More frequent periods or short time between ranging from less than 21 days.
Reduction in Ovulation Duration: If the ovulation period is 10 days or less, then it may be a sign of a luteal phase defect.
Difficulty in sleeping: Changes in the sleeping cycle also contribute to one of the leading symptoms of a luteal phase defect.
Bloating: Bloating, too, is a symptom of a luteal phase defect.
What Is Luteal Phase Defect Treatment?
A luteal phase defect treatment involves the administration of medications. However, it depends on the situation and the desire for pregnancy. For pregnancy, the treatment will be as follows:
Human Chorionic Gonadotropins (hCG): Consuming this increases progesterone production after ovulation.
Progesterone Supplements: Supplements taken orally, through injections, or vaginal suppository help fix a luteal phase defect.
Lifestyle Changes: Bringing in lifestyle changes similar to reducing stress, and a healthy weight, too, is recommended by medical practitioners.
Conclusion
A luteal phase defect may bring in a complicated pregnancy. Furthermore, it can bring in other health issues as well. Thus, having a thorough knowledge of the causes, symptoms, and treatments of a luteal phase defect is important. Inculcating healthy changes in your lifestyle is important as it can lead you to have a healthy corpus luteum. Apart from this, before taking any medication, you must consult a doctor. Thus, with awareness and proper execution of medicines, the luteal phase deficiency defect can be shifted away.
