So you're trying to conceive and have been diagnosed with a short luteal phase, which leaves
you wondering what you can do to fix this problem? Obviously, natural interventions are always best,
so the question becomes can your diet impact a short luteal phase? You'll be pleased to know that
emerging research suggests that dietary changes can indeed impact your menstrual cycle, including
the length of your luteal phase. So, I bet your keen to hear how? Well, stay tuned for the answer!
Hello and welcome to Nourish! My name is Melanie McGrice. I'm a specialist fertility and prenatal dietitian
and one of my favourite things to do is help parents-to-be
navigate nutritional guidelines to help them conceive and give their baby, the best start in life.
In addition to this video and a whole bunch of other information-filled videos on my channel,
I have a host of helpful information on all my social media accounts, so feel free to
connect with me there as well. You'll find my details in the description box below this video.
In this video, I'm going to discuss how diet can impact a short luteal phase.
Luteal phase insufficiency is a common reason for couples being unable to conceive
and also for implantation failure for those undergoing Assisted Reproductive
Treatments. It is also a common cause of recurrent miscarriage.
But firstly, let's take a step back and look at the bigger picture. The typical menstrual
cycle takes around 28 days. It starts with your period, which usually lasts around seven days,
then moves into the follicular phase which focuses on follicle growth. That simply means that it's
the stage in which your eggs are being prepared for release. Most women then ovulate on around day
fourteen, then move into the luteal phase. The luteal phase usually lasts for around ten days,
and this is the time when you're hormones prepare your body for pregnancy. If you
have a short luteal phase and are trying to conceive, the problem is that the fertilised egg
may not have time to implant into the uterine lining, making it difficult to get pregnant.
So, if you have a short luteal phase, try these diet tips.
Number 1: Choose progesterone boosting foods
A short luteal phase is most commonly caused by a lacklustre progesterone surge.
Without adequate progesterone, the uterine lining doesn't get adequate opportunity
to build a thick, healthy lining in your uterus for the fertilized egg to implant into,
but instead, you get your period too early. Consequently, if you're seeing a Fertility
Specialist, the most common treatment will be the administration of progesterone hormones.
Choosing progesterone boosting foods may also help. Flaxseeds are one of my favourite options,
so you may like to give these a try during your luteal phase.
Secondly, luteal phase insufficiency is most commonly found in women with
polycystic ovarian syndrome, thyroid conditions and prolactin disorders,
so if you have one of these conditions, optimising it through dietary interventions will be vital.
I have videos on these conditions, so check out my Nourish video library.
And, thirdly, emerging research suggests that the metabolism of particular nutrients
changes based on different stages of our menstrual cycles. For example, the luteal
phase is characterised by decreasing amino acid levels and higher nitrogen utilization, as well as
reduced levels of fats in the bloodstream. It has been hypothesised that these changes may be caused
by a greater use of protein and energy by the body to thicken the uterus to prepare for a pregnancy.
This is believed to be why some women experience an increase in appetite
prior to getting their periods. It's a long bow, but if you have a short luteal phase,
it may be worth booking an appointment with one of our specialist fertility dietitians
to see if you are meeting your energy, protein and micronutrient requirements for optimal
uterine lining. You can find all our details in the description box below this video.
If you haven't done so already, I'd really appreciate it if you
could share my channel with any of your friends who might be trying to conceive.
I hope you found this helpful, and I'll see you in my next video!