Luteal phase defect (LPD) is when your ovaries don't produce enough progesterone, or the lining of the uterus (endometrium) doesn't respond well enough to the hormone. When the endometrium doesn't grow enough, it makes it hard for the fertilized embryo to attach, making it difficult to achieve and/or obtain a pregnancy.
The most common symptoms for LPD are:
- More frequent periods
- Difficulty obtaining a pregnancy
- Miscarriages
- Spotting in between periods
Factors that may lead to LPD are:
- Anorexia
- Endometriosis
- Extreme exercise
- Hyperprolactinemia (too much of the hormone that produces breast milk)
- PCOS
- Thyroid issues
- Very high BMI