Why everyone should know about the luteal phase

@karentangmd Gyno answers for poor @greyson ... To learn more about your cycle, PMS, PMDD, my book IT'S NOT HYSTERIA has it all! (🔗 in profile) 🔥 #lutealphase #lutealphasehormones #follicularphase #ovulation #pms #pmdd #pmddawareness ♬ original sound - KarenTangMD

Expert

Karen Tang, MD: Board certified gynecologist

Question

• What’s the luteal phase?

Reality

Immediately following a period, the ovary is developing a follicle or egg. When it reaches maturation at the middle of a cycle, it's released—ovulation. During the follicular phase, estrogen is rising and peaks when the egg is released. The place where the egg had been forms a corpus luteum. Progesterone is then released.

That’s the luteal phase. Progesterone causes “what we call the PMS symptoms: moodiness, bloating, fatigue, constipation, breast tenderness.“

There's also something called premenstrual dysphoric disorder, PMDD, where the mood symptoms are so extreme anxiety, depression, or anger affects their ability to function. Someone going through PMS and PMDD especially are really just trying to make it through.

Resources

• What Is the Luteal Phase?