Luteal Phase Deficiency: Diagnosis & Treatment – Antai Hospital
Introduction
Luteal phase Deficiency, also known as Luteal Phase Defect, is a disorder of the corpus luteum located inside the ovaries. Broadly speaking, it refers to an abnormality in the luteal phase: the secretion of progesterone by the corpus luteum. For this reason, LPD is also referred to as Corpus Luteum Insufficiency. Due to its important role in establishing and sustaining a pregnancy, the luteal phase deficiency is a primary cause of miscarriages and recurrent miscarriages. Antai Hospital has identified that Luteal Phase Deficiency is in fact one of 43 individual causes that can lead to recurrent miscarriages (2 and more repeated miscarriages) with effective treatment available.
Progesterone production by the corpus luteum is pulsatile, secreted in response to LH pulses; progesterone pulses are more pronounced in the mid to late luteal phase, and progesterone levels may fluctuate. The endometrial response reflects follicular-phase estrogen and luteal phase estrogen and progesterone. In turn, the production and secretion of these hormones depend on the follicular phase follicle development, ovulation, and luteal phase corpus luteum function.
Once implantation occurs, progesterone secretion by the corpus luteum depends on rising human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) levels. Failure of hCG levels to increase results directly in corpus luteum failure and a sharp drop in Progesterone.
Causes for Luteal Phase Deficiency
LPD has been described as a condition in which ovarian hormone production is insufficient in quantity to maintain a functional endometrium and allow healthy implantation and growth to take place.
The luteal phase is around 12-14 days long, and during this time your ovaries secrete the hormone progesterone. A short luteal phase has been associated with low follicular phase follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels, low follicular phase Estrogen levels, altered FSH/LH ratios, and abnormal FSH and LH pulsatility. Below are some conditions that can cause LPD
- Endometriosis (Chocolate Cysts)
- Adenomyosis
- Presence of Ovarian Cysts
- Thyroid Disorder
- Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS)
- Premature Ovarian Insufficiency
- Obesity
- Stress
- Excessive exercise
Symptoms of Luteal Phase Deficiency
- Miscarriages
- Recurrent miscarriage
- Vaginal bleeding during pregnancy
- Infertility
- Skipping periods or missed periods
- Spotting
Diagnosis of Luteal Phase Deficiency
- Blood test for FSH, LH, PG, and other hormones
- Pelvic Ultrasound to assess endometrial thickness and development
- 4D Color Doppler Ultrasound
- Medical History
- Biopsy
Treatment of Luteal Phase Deficiencies in Antai Hospital
- During pregnancy:
During this stage, although we can diagnose your underlying causes, treatment especially surgical ones are difficult to implement effectively during pregnancy. Our doctors at Antai Hospital will administer a specialized Progesterone supplementation therapy that is highly specific and individualized to the patient herself. This supplementation therapy is done efficiently and allows the threatened miscarriage caused by the LPD to stabilize quickly. Usually, these supplementations will only need to be sustained until the end of the first trimester, when the placenta is fully matured and will take the primary role of Progesterone secretion till full-term.
- During non-pregnancy:
Once the underlying cause has been identified, treatment will be specific to that specific cause. For example, endometriosis (Chocolate Cysts) and adenomyosis require surgical management via Laparoscopy + Hysteroscopy to remove the displaced endometrial tissue. For PCOS, Antai Hospital conducts a specialized surgery that removes the abnormal Leydig cells within the affected ovaries. Regardless of the underlying causes, surgical management is the best approach for such organic diseases.
Over the last 20 years, Antai Hospital specializes in the treatment and prevention of miscarriages, and for LPD-related miscarriage or recurrent miscarriage patients, you can enjoy a full refund guarantee if you receive treatment with us. Our success rates are up to 95% and if you do experience another pregnancy failure again, then we are obligated to refund you full treatment costs.
Antai Hospital’s Commitment
Antai Hospital’s full refund policy for the miscarriage prevention treatments we provide should already be the best guarantee for a healthy pregnancy. Patients should rest assured, can and should go about their everyday life, focusing their diet on vegetables, beans, celery, and other fiber-rich foods. Besides that, an active lifestyle of yoga and swimming should also be incorporated to help relieve stress and increase blood circulation, which is beneficial for the fetus’s development and the mother’s health. With our assurance, a healthy lifestyle, and peace of mind, you can go through a healthy pregnancy with no complications.
Recurrent miscarriages are no doubt a heavy blow to the patient’s physical and mental health. All we can do is to help ease the burden and decrease your trauma, to slowly help you overcome the anxiety with the love and care that we provide at Antai Hospital.
Trust in Antai Hospital and trust in yourself, your pregnancy is our priority.