This critical stage of the menstrual cycle plays a vital role in preparing the body for pregnancy, and when it’s shorter than usual, it can sometimes make getting pregnant more difficult.
Here, we explore what the luteal phase is, possible causes of a short luteal phase, and how it can affect fertility and treatment options. Whether you’re just starting to track your cycle or have concerns about your fertility, we’re here to help.
What is the luteal phase?
The luteal phase is the second half of your menstrual cycle – it starts after ovulation and continues until your next period begins, and the success of conception can be reliant on the luteal phase.
Your cycle starts with the follicular phase, which begins on the first day of your period. During this time, your body prepares to release an egg. Ovulation – usually around day 14 in a typical 28-day cycle – marks the release of that egg from the ovary.
The luteal phase follows the follicular phase, and typically lasts between 11 and 17 days, before either you get pregnant or your period arrives. It’s during this phase that your body produces progesterone, a hormone that supports the thickening of the uterine lining to make it ready for a potential pregnancy.
This phase is vital for implantation and early pregnancy. If fertilisation doesn’t occur, progesterone levels drop, the lining sheds, and a new cycle begins.
When is the luteal phase?
The luteal phase begins right after ovulation, which usually occurs around the middle of your menstrual cycle. For people with regular cycles, ovulation happens around day 14 of a typical 28-day cycle, meaning the luteal phase starts from day 15 and continues until your period begins.
Because everybody is different, the exact timing can vary slightly from person to person and cycle to cycle. What’s consistent is that the luteal phase, meaning the time between ovulation and your next period, tends to last between 11 and 17 days.
Tracking ovulation – using methods like temperature monitoring, ovulation predictor kits, or cycle tracking apps – can help you identify when your luteal phase begins.
What are luteal phase symptoms?
During the luteal phase, your body produces more progesterone, which can lead to a range of physical and emotional symptoms. These are often similar to what many people experience as premenstrual symptoms (PMS), and can vary in intensity from cycle to cycle.
Common luteal phase symptoms include:
- Bloating
- Breast tenderness or swelling
- Mood changes or irritability
- Fatigue
- Mild cramping or lower back pain
- Food cravings
- Changes in sleep or appetite
These symptoms are a natural response to hormonal shifts, particularly the rise and fall of progesterone. While they’re a regular part of the cycle for many, tracking your symptoms over time can help you understand what’s typical for your body. It may also help identify if your luteal phase is shorter or disrupted.
What is a long luteal phase?
A long luteal phase refers to a luteal phase that lasts longer than the typical 11 to 17 days. While this can be normal for some women, if it consistently extends beyond 17 days, it may indicate hormonal imbalances or other issues, such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). In some cases, a long luteal phase can also be a sign of early pregnancy, as the luteal phase can be naturally prolonged to support implantation.
What is a short luteal phase?
A short luteal phase is defined as one that lasts eight days or less. If you’re tracking your ovulation and cycle, you may have a short luteal phase if your period arrives 10 days or less after you ovulate.
Progesterone is essential for implantation and successful pregnancy; it helps ensure the uterine lining is receptive for an embryo to attach itself and develop into a foetus.
When the luteal phase is too short, there may not be enough progesterone to properly support this process. As a result, the uterine lining may not develop as needed, making it more difficult for an embryo to implant. This can lead to an earlier-than-expected period and may affect fertility.
What causes a short luteal phase?
A short luteal phase is often linked to lower levels of progesterone, the hormone needed to prepare the uterus for pregnancy. After ovulation, the follicle that released the egg becomes the corpus luteum – a small hormone-producing structure that releases progesterone.
If the corpus luteum doesn’t function properly or produces too little progesterone, the uterine lining may not develop enough to support implantation. This can cause the lining to shed too early, leading to a period that arrives sooner than expected.
A short luteal phase can also be caused by conditions such as:
- Endometriosis
- PCOS
- Thyroid disorders, such as an overactive or an underactive thyroid or Hashimoto’s
- Obesity
- Anorexia
- Excessive exercise
- Ageing
- Stress
Symptoms of a short luteal phase
Until you start trying to conceive or tracking your cycles, you may not even notice you have a short luteal phase.
Symptoms of a short luteal phase may include:
- Earlier than normal menstrual cycles
- Spotting in between periods
- Infertility
- Miscarriage
How long does a luteal phase need to be to get pregnant?
If your luteal phase is too short (less than 10 days from ovulation), it may be hard to get pregnant because your uterine lining doesn’t have enough time to thicken to support a pregnancy. However, everyone’s body is different, and just because your luteal phase is shorter than average doesn’t mean you can’t get pregnant.
If you’re concerned about your luteal phase length, it’s a good idea to speak with a fertility specialist.
How can a short luteal phase affect fertility treatment?
When you’re trying to conceive – whether naturally or through fertility treatment – the luteal phase plays a key role in supporting implantation and early pregnancy. A short luteal phase can make it more difficult for an embryo to successfully implant in the uterus, which may reduce the chances of conception.
In fertility treatment, such as IVF or IUI, timing and hormone balance are crucial. If the luteal phase is too short or progesterone levels are too low, the uterus may not be ready to support an embryo, even if fertilisation has occurred. This is why monitoring and supporting the luteal phase is an important part of our fertility care.
Diagnosing short luteal phase
At The Evewell, we focus on understanding the reason for infertility, and there are a number of fertility tests you can undergo to establish if you have a short luteal phase.
Our consultants will likely run blood tests to check levels of:
- FSH (follicle-stimulating hormone), a hormone that regulates ovary function
- LH (luteinising hormone), the hormone that triggers ovulation
- Progesterone, the hormone that stimulates the growth of the uterine lining
In addition, we can conduct ultrasounds to understand the thickness of your lining, or an endometrial biopsy to establish the receptivity or any underlying asymptomatic infections of the lining of the womb.
What treatments are there for a short luteal phase?
The good news is that a short luteal phase can often be managed effectively, especially once the underlying cause has been identified. Treatment will vary depending on what’s contributing to the issue – whether it’s hormonal, lifestyle-related, or linked to a medical condition.
If the short luteal phase is related to stress, over-exercising, or low body weight, making small lifestyle changes, such as reducing intense physical activity or introducing stress management techniques, can help restore a more balanced cycle.
Other treatments may include taking doctor-prescribed progesterone medication after ovulation to help uterine lining receptivity so it can better support embryo implantation.At The Evewell, we understand that fertility is personal. If you’re concerned that you may have symptoms of a short luteal phase, or you’re struggling to conceive, we recommend booking an initial consultation with one of our fertility and gynaecologist specialists who will be able to assess your situation and build a personalised plan.
Frequently asked questions
While it might be more difficult, pregnancy is still possible. Supportive fertility treatments and lifestyle changes can improve your chances.
The luteal phase refers to the time between ovulation and the start of your next period. The luteal phase typically lasts 11-17 days.
Luteal phase symptoms are often similar to premenstrual syndrome. These can include bloating, breast tenderness, mood changes, fatigue, mild cramping, food cravings, and changes in sleep or appetite.
You might suspect a short luteal phase if your period arrives 10 days or less after ovulation. Tracking your cycle can help identify this pattern.
Sometimes, making simple lifestyle adjustments – like reducing stress, moderating intense exercise, or maintaining a balanced diet – can help restore hormone levels naturally, and therefore lengthen the luteal phase. For others, medical support may be more effective. This could include progesterone medication, or treatment for any underlying conditions, such as thyroid disorders or PCOS.
Diagnosis may involve tracking your cycle, hormone testing, and sometimes an ultrasound scan to monitor the uterine lining and ovulation.
Yes. Reducing stress, maintaining a healthy weight, and balancing exercise can positively affect hormone levels and cycle length.
If you’ve been trying to conceive for a while or notice short cycles or spotting after ovulation, it’s a good time to seek expert advice. Book a free 15-minute call with The Evewell team.
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