How do I figure out my Luteal phase?? HELP =(

[Gemini_Faith]

I can't figure out when is my luteal phase.. Here are my cycle days from the past few months, 28,29,30 and 27(january)...Please help..Im so confused =*(

[Elaine Brown, MD]

Hi!
Owlbaby has given you a great answer.  You might also want to look at my archived post about the menstrual cycle and how it works.

Here is the way to determine when your luteal phase occurs:

Cycle day one = the first day of your menstrual period.

Cycle day eleven through sixteen are typically your fertile days, and these are the days that you should check ovulation predictors.

Many times ovulation occurs around cycle day fourteen--this (ovulation) is the start of your luteal phase.

SO if you want to know exactly when the luteal phase begins--check ovulation predictors and determine when ovulation occurs.

If you are going to check a progesterone level--do that on day 21.

Hope this helps!
Dr B

[Gemini_Faith]

Hi Owlbaby,  I appreciate your response but I just needed to figure out when exactly is my LP considering my cycles vary between 27 and 30 days.  

[owlbaby]

Hi - This is what a luetal phase consists of... it should be 10-16 days normally. Measured from the day of O to first day of AF. In detail:
After Ovulation the former follicle (where the egg came out) turns yellow (luteinizes) and is called the corpus luteum (yellow body). It secretes the hormone progesterone. Proges. maintains the blood-filled nutritive lining of the uterus and keeps a pregnancy going. Progest. also raises the BBT. And also causes the cervix to release a dense sitcky CM wihthin a few days after O to prevent more sperm from entering. If there is no fertilized egg the corpus luteum disinegrates about 14 days after...lacking progest. the uterine lining breaks down and  you get AF. Problems in a shortened LP mean that your corpus luet. isn't sending the message or your glands aren't producing enough proges.... this is a common cause of early m/c. I hope that helps make the luetal phase clear??