There are 4 important phases in the menstrual cycle, namely the menstrual, follicular, ovulatory and luteal phases. The luteal phase is often characterized by significant hormonal changes. In this phase you will experience a sharp increase in mood changes. In addition, you will also feel disturbances such as flatulence.
The luteal phase is an important phase in the menstrual cycle. Thus, it is important for you to know correctly how this luteal phase works in the body, especially during menstruation. That way you can understand the conditions and changes that will occur in your body.
In this article, we will discuss more deeply about the luteal phase, both understanding it and knowing symptoms that occur during.
What is the Luteal Phase?
The luteal phase is often referred to as the last phase of the menstrual cycle. This phase begins after the ovulation phase and will end on the first day of menstruation. In this phase, the follicle will release its egg and will move towards the fallopian tube. This process allows the egg to meet the sperm and is ready to be fertilized. The follicle that contains the egg will undergo changes so that it becomes a corpus luteum and begins to produce the hormones progesterone and estrogen.
The hormone progesterone also causes body temperature to increase, and during pregnancy, body temperature will not decrease. However, if you are not pregnant, your body temperature will decrease before menstruation occurs. In this phase, women also have many symptoms related to hormones.
Luteal Phase Duration
The luteal phase generally lasts 12 to 14 days. However, this phase can also occur for 8 to 16 days. A luteal phase that lasts less than 8 days can signal fertility problems. This is because, if the luteal phase is too short, the uterine wall does not thicken properly to support fetal growth. Meanwhile, a luteal phase that is too long can result in hormonal imbalances, such as PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome).
Women who have difficulty conceiving or even have frequent miscarriages usually have a short luteal phase. However, not all miscarriages or fertility problems are affected by a short luteal phase.
Symptoms in the Luteal Phase
As with other phases, this luteal phase also has symptoms that will occur in a woman's body. As we know, the occurrence of hormonal changes in the luteal phase is associated with premenstrual symptoms in women. This of course causes several reactions that occur in several parts of the body. For example, pain in the breast. In addition, there are several other symptoms that occur in this luteal phase, such as:
- Increased mood swings
- Stomach feels bloated
- The emergence of hormonal acne on the face
- Headache
If you feel some of the symptoms above, you do not need to worry, because these symptoms are common during the luteal phase and can subside on their own. However, you do need to maintain a healthy lifestyle so that there are no bad side effects before menstruation.
Read more on the 4 important phases in the menstrual cycle:
- Follicular phase - What to do (Cycle Syncing series pt 1/4)
- Ovulation phase - What to do (Cycle Syncing series pt 2/4)
- Luteal phase - What to do (Cycle Syncing series pt 3/4)
- Menstrual phase - What to do (Cycle Syncing series pt 4/4)
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