What does luteal stage mean?

Question

Hi i have just been on a fertility calculator and for the first time it asked me how long my luteal stage was. I have no clue what this is and if it is that important when tryng to conceivr, if so does anyone know how to calculate it. My last period was on the 23rd july and i have a 25 day cycle. I am due on again on the 17aug. The calculator also tells me today is my most fertile day, but had no mucus, i didn't notice any last month either, please help. Are these calculators reliable? Thankyou in advance for you answer(s).

Answer 1

It is normally called the Luteal Phase.  It is the part of your monthly cycle that is the number of days from ovulation until your next period.  For example, lets say the average woman has a 28 days cycle.  She ovulates on Day 14.  It is then 14 days until her next period.  Therefore, her Luteal Phase is 14 days.  However, you need to get to know YOUR cycle, as this is an average.  Most women don't have a clockwork 28 day cycle.  You could have a 30 days cycle, and ovulate on Day 18, and have a 12 day luteal phase.

So, to find out how long your Luteal Phase is, you need to know the day you ovulate and then count the number of days from ovulation until the start of your next period.  

Answer 2

Its the number of days from ovulation to your period arriving!

My luteal phase is 13 days so when i ovulate i know that my period will arrive 13 days later, and its never late!!

Answer 3

Luteal Stage: This is the stage that leads to the next period.  It lasts for about 12 to 14 days. The follicle that released the egg will very quickly become what is known as the "Yellow Body" (in Latin  it's name is "Corpus Luteum").  This produces an high level of progesterone (and a small amount of estrogen) which is required to generate the mucus on the uterus surface to assist a fertilised egg.

At the same time, the uterine wall, which is normally very thin, becomes thicker and thicker under the influence of the progesterone secreted by the "yellow body".  It is about the 20th day of the cycle that the uterus is prepared to accept an impregnated egg.

If the released egg is impregnated, it will become implanted in the surface of the uterus about 8 days after fertilisation.  This implantation will have the effect of releasing a new hormone, HCG.  It is this hormone that is tested for with home pregnancy tests.

The HCG allows the "yellow body" to be maintained and continue to produce progesterone and estrogen, assuring the continuation of the pregnancy.  This situation remains the same for the first 3 months of pregnancy, the placenta will eventually replace the function of the "yellow body".

If the egg was not fertilised, the "yellow body" stops its activity and degenerates into a "white body" (corpus albican in Latin).  The absence of progesterone causes the blood flow to be stopped before reaching the surface of the uterine lining which causes a blood pocket between the surface and the uterus wall that will eventually break the surface lining from the wall and cause the period to begin.