Dr. Marjorie Greenfield
Specializing in pregnancy and birth.
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 Ask Dr. Greenfield
Inadequate Luteal Phase | | | QUESTION | | | Dear Dr. Greenfield,
I am 36 years old and have been trying to conceive for the past three months (I have no children). I have begun tracking my cycles and noticed that the phase from ovulation until my next period is ten days. Is this a problem? Everything I've read says that phase should be 12-14 days, or else you may not be producing enough progesterone.— BethMcM in Bethesda, MD | | | ANSWER |
November 20, 2001 | | | Dear BethMcM,
You are right that this may be a problem. It sounds like you may be experiencing what is called an inadequate luteal phase, where the ovary doesn't make enough progesterone. Progesterone is necessary to ready the uterine lining for implantation, and to prevent it from shedding too early. While many women have a luteal phase defect on occasion, if it is happening every cycle, it might be interfering with conception.
While in general it is best to try to conceive for at least six to twelve months before worrying about it, you sound like you are already concerned about your fertility. Since you are over 35 and may have a reason for not getting pregnant easily, it would be reasonable to seek medical care at this time, either from your gynecologist or from a fertility specialist. Good luck!— by Marjorie Greenfield, M.D. |
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