Have you ever experienced that in the second phase of your menstruation, you feel different and/or behave differently, and ask why? Your luteal phase is working.
Are you a person trying to get pregnant or monitoring your period days, or do you simply need to know more about your body? You need to know about the luteal phase.
Let’s get to the details, what’s a luteal phase, the length, the hormones involved, and the most frequent symptoms. Also, see the impact of this phase on your energy level, mood, and fertility.
What’s a Luteal Phase?
The luteal phase occurs during the second half of your menstrual cycle- it begins after your ovulation and lasts until your next period commences. It can last between 12 and 14 days, though in some cases it may take shorter or longer durations in some women.
Wondering what the luteal phase mean in simple words, the phase is how the body prepares itself for a possible pregnancy. When this does not occur, the amount of hormones decreases and menstruation occurs.
When is the Luteal Phase of the Menstrual Cycle?
It starts immediately after you ovulate (probably day 14 in 28 days), and it lasts until your period starts. So, in the case that you are monitoring your cycle and understand when you are ovulating, you can determine when your luteal phase will start occurring.
For example, when you have an ovulation on day 14 and a period on day 28, your luteal phase is 14 days.
What is the Duration of this Phase?
So, how long is luteal phase? The phase lasts 12- 14 days in the majority of people. But not every person does experience it. A short luteal period (less than or equal to 10 days) can be assumed to cause impairment to fertility. Conversely, when it lasts longer than 14 days on a regular basis, it can be discussed with a healthcare professional.
Monitoring your health is therefore important when you know how long is luteal phase is in your particular case.
What is Short Luteal Phase?
Less than 10 luteal days qualifies as a short luteal phase, and this might increase the difficulty of an egg fertilised in receiving an adequate implantation. This is referred to as a luteal phase defect that may cause infertility or early miscarriage.
If you are trying to get pregnant, and you realise that you have luteal phase 10 days and is always short, you should go to a doctor to have some tests and treatment programs.
Change of Hormones in this Phase
What does luteal mean hormonally? The release of the egg after ovulation leads to the conversion of the follicle. This plays a significant role in this phase by producing progesterone, which is the most important hormone during this stage. Progesterone makes the uterus ready to accommodate an implanted egg.
In case pregnancy does not take place, the corpus luteum degenerates, and the level of progesterone decreases. This release causes the uterus lining to come off aka your period.
What Happens in the Luteal Phase?
Hormones affect all this: your mood, skin and sleep. The following are the typical symptoms associated with the luteal phase:
- Breast tenderness
- Bloating
- Weakness or energy exhaustion
- Sensitivity or irritability
- Cramps
- Driving appetite or food craving
- Headaches
However, these are the common symptoms that will tell you “when is the phase of your period.” Keep hearing your body closely, it has so much to tell you!
Luteal Phase and Your Mood
Does the hase leave an impact on the way you feel mentally and emotionally?
Absolutely. When one starts to develop progesterone, a few women feel calm and drowsy, whereas some are irritable, crying or nervous.
Hormones can affect sleeping and energy levels as well. Due to that, the luteal phase is also suggested as the period to engage in self-care maintenance, which is self-care with less impact (journaling, gentle yoga, etc).
The Signs of Knowing You Are in Your Luteal Phase
Being aware, when you are in this stage, assists in dealing with the symptoms and scheduling activities. You could tell it by this:
- You have just ovulated (monitor by the tests or temperature)
- The cervical mucus is getting dry
- You develop symptoms of PMS
- Your basal body temperature stays high
Treatment of Luteal Phase Symptoms
Although you will not be able to avoid in this phase, you can overcome it in a more tolerable way:
- Consume a balanced diet that contains magnesium, vitamin B6 and omega-3s
- Execute on drinks to limit bloating
- Do a few exercises to relax and regain the mood and cramps
- Take care of sleep and rest
- Use cycle tracking to be connected with yourself
And when you are preparing yourself for your period, it is all about being comfortable. Take a look at and buy Essentials UltraThin Pad to get comfortable, airy protection that is leak-free when you are on your period.
The Luteal Phase FAQs
Can You Get Pregnant During the Luteal Phase?
The egg was released some time ago, at the beginning of the luteal phase. During this phase, early fertilisation can occur as sperm can survive until 5 days. However, the further you are away from ovulation, the fewer chances.
What Are Common Symptoms During the Luteal Phase?
The symptoms involve bloating, mood swings, fatigue, tenderness in the breast, cramps, and food craving due to an increase and decrease in levels of progesterone.
What Does a Short Luteal Phase Indicate About Fertility?
A short luteal phase can be a sign of a defect in the production of hormones, in particular, low progesterone, which might not allow successful implantation, which can affect fertility.
How Can I Tell if I’m in My Luteal Phase?
Tracking your cycle is done through ovulation tests, basal body temperature and symptoms. The luteal phase is the period beginning after ovulation and ending when your period begins.
Does the Luteal Phase Affect Mood or Energy Levels?
Right, quite a few have reduced energy, mood swings or irritability, caused by hormonal changes. These are normal, and they are a part of your monthly cycle.
Final Thoughts
And now you have the luteal phase explained to you, hormone surge, mood swings and all that comes in between. The knowledge these days of your cycle might enable you to treat your body more effectively. This information will surely help you notice health trends and even manage your own life more productively.
Think again and remember that your cycle is your body communicating to you; learn to listen.
