What is Luteal Phase Defect treatment?
A luteal phase is the time from ovulation to menstruation. This is the time that if pregnant, the fertilized egg would travel from the fallopian tube and into the uterus to implant. The luteal phase normally should be over 10 days, usually anywhere from 10 to 17 days long. Anything under 10 days is considered a luteal phase defect. If pregnancy should occur and you have a luteal phase defect, you will have an early miscarriage. Some doctors believe that if the luteal phase falls under 12 days, then it is a problem.
A luteal phase defect is a luteal phase below 10 days. This cannot sustain a pregnancy. This is because the uterine lining begins to break down, bringing on the menstrual bleeding and causing an early miscarriage. The number one reason for a luteal phase defect is low progesterone. A doctor can do a progesterone test 7 days past ovulation to determine exactly how deficient a woman with a luteal phase defect is. From that point there are several ways of correcting it..
A luteal phase defect can be easily corrected. You will find out you have a luteal phase defect through fertility charting. If you find this out, seek the advice of your physician first before starting any treatments to correct it. A lot of times the luteal phase defect can be corrected through over-the-counter remedies and/or with prescription drugs.
Probably the number one way a doctor will recommend to correct a luteal phase defect is through prescription drugs such as Clomid or progesterone suppositories. The suppositories are taken through the vagina after ovulation has occurred and until either day 14 post ovulation or at some point weeks later during a pregnancy, if pregnancy occurred. However, there are over-the-counter methods that help to lengthen the luteal phase.
I corrected my luteal phase defect with over-the-counter remedies. My luteal phase was 9 days and through taking supplements and using creams I increased my luteal phase to 15 days over a 6 month period.
The two main things that help to correct a luteal phase defect with over-the-counter remedies are vitamin B6 and progesterone cream. Vitamin B6 can be taken daily in dosages from 50 mg to 200 mg. Vitamin B6 is perfectly safe to take during pregnancy as well. Taking vitamin B6 every day during the entire month will help to lengthen the
luteal phase as well as ease PMS and morning sickness.
A progesterone cream is usually targeted for menopausal women, however this cream is also useful in lengthening the luteal phase. A cream with natural progesterone works best. Be cautious of creams containing wild yam - because wild yam contains estrogen as well as progesterone. Use about 1/4 to 1/2 a teaspoon of progesterone cream spread on the inner arm, inner thigh, neck, and chest - alternating places - twice a day from ovulation to menstruation or until the 10th week of pregnancy. (Ask your doctor for advice before using the progesterone cream.)
One last word, I tried these two over-the-counter remedies myself, and they absolutely worked. I have heard conflicting advice on the progesterone cream, but for me it is a tried and true measure and I highly recommend it in combination with the vitamin B6 in correcting a luteal phase defect without the help of prescription drugs.
