The Tired Type

Low progesterone can lead to a short luteal phase, which can affect embryo implantation. We use Chinese herbs and acupuncture to support the ovarian follicle before ovulation. Then when it becomes the corpus luteum after ovulation, it can produce healthy progesterone levels.

A luteal phase lasting less than twelve days is too short for the endometrium to develop enough to properly support a fertilized egg. This is known as a luteal phase defect. It’s a common endocrine disorder, present in a significant portion of our patients having trouble conceiving and more than a third of people with repeated early pregnancy loss. Low progesterone levels in the luteal phase are also an indicator of LPD. You might have a normal twelve-to-fourteen-day luteal phase but still have progesterone levels that are too low. The result is the same: if there’s not enough progesterone, the endometrium can’t develop and function properly. Some studies have implicated LPD in poor follicle development and insufficient levels of FSH and LH.

A metabolic disorder occurs when the normal metabolic process of chemical reactions in the body gets disrupted. This disruption can lead to too much or too little of substances needed to stay healthy. Metabolic disorders can affect the quality of sperm and can also interrupt the regular menstrual cycle.

An underactive thyroid can impede ovulation leading to irregular menstrual cycles and reduced fertility. In one study, women with unexplained infertility were found to have TSH levels on the higher end of normal, showing that mild, or even sub-clinical hypothyroidism, is the undiagnosed cause of many fertility problems. In addition, hypothyroidism has been linked to an increased chance of miscarriage, so restoring balance to the thyroid before conception is important. According to the World Health Organization, acupuncture and Chinese herbs can be used to treat thyroid diseases and clinical research shows that it is effective.