{"id":21598,"date":"2023-05-18T09:28:38","date_gmt":"2023-05-18T07:28:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.intimina.com\/blog\/?p=21598"},"modified":"2023-05-18T09:29:13","modified_gmt":"2023-05-18T07:29:13","slug":"what-is-the-corpus-luteum","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.intimina.com\/blog\/what-is-the-corpus-luteum\/","title":{"rendered":"What Is the Corpus Luteum?"},"content":{"rendered":"

One of the most incredible things about being human is our ability to adapt, grow, and change throughout our lives. There are some things we tend to think of as pretty stagnant though \u2013 like our organs.<\/span><\/p>\n

Heart, liver, kidneys, and even ovaries. These organs stay the same more or less as long as health issues don\u2019t present themselves. But the female body has an organ that disappears and reappears with each menstrual cycle.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

We present\u2026 the corpus luteum.<\/span><\/p>\n

It sounds like a cool band name but it\u2019s actually an organ that\u2019s essential for female reproductive health. Let\u2019s learn more about it!<\/span><\/p>\n

What Is the Corpus Luteum?<\/b><\/h2>\n

We mentioned before that the <\/span>corpus luteum<\/span> is a temporary organ, but how does that work? <\/span>Ovarian cyst<\/span><\/a> seems like a scary term, especially when talking about reproductive organs, but that\u2019s what the corpus luteum starts as. Cyst in this context simply means a group of cells.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The corpus luteum\u2019s main role is to produce and release the <\/span>hormones<\/span><\/a> estrogen and progesterone, preparing the body for a potential pregnancy. It can be anywhere from 2 to 5 centimeters, but how does it form?<\/span><\/p>\n

Typically there is one dominant follicle in the ovaries each ovulation cycle. This is a tiny sac that holds the developing egg. The sac then breaks during ovulation, allowing the egg to escape. A mass of cells (follicular granulosa and follicular theca cells) starts to form where the follicle was and begins to form into the corpus luteum.<\/span><\/p>\n

Corpus Luteum and The Menstrual Cycle<\/b><\/h2>\n

About two weeks into the menstrual cycle, <\/span>ovulation<\/span><\/a> occurs. This is when the ovaries release an egg to be fertilized. It\u2019s also the same time the corpus luteum forms.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

After ovulation is the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle, which is when the body prepares for a potential pregnancy by thickening the lining of the uterus.<\/span><\/p>\n

Most ovulation cycles do not result in a pregnancy. Typically they lead back to the first stage of the menstrual cycle \u2013 your period. Without fertilization, the corpus luteum begins to break down about 10 days after ovulation. When this happens, the uterine lining that started to build up to prepare for pregnancy instead starts to shed \u2013 aka your period.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Progesterone and Pregnancy\u00a0<\/b><\/h2>\n

If you do happen to get pregnant, the corpus luteum sticks around for a little longer \u2013 until about 12 weeks gestation. After that, the <\/span>placenta<\/span><\/a> (another temporary organ during pregnancy) takes over the role of progesterone production, and the corpus luteum starts to break down and get smaller.<\/span><\/p>\n

So why is progesterone so important during pregnancy? This vital hormone makes it possible for a fetus to grow in the uterus. It first does this by making the uterus bigger. It also makes it possible for a fertilized egg to implant itself in the uterus by thickening the endometrium, or lining of the uterus. Progesterone is essential for keeping the uterine environment healthy by supplying the uterus with oxygen and blood so that the fetus can develop and grow.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Later on in pregnancy progesterone also helps to prevent early labor by keeping the uterus from contracting before it needs to. It even helps prepare the body for lactation!<\/span><\/p>\n

Corpus Luteum Disorders<\/b><\/h2>\n

Back to the corpus luteum. Just like any organ, some conditions can affect the health and function of the corpus luteum.<\/span><\/p>\n

Cysts<\/b><\/h3>\n

One of the most common issues with the corpus luteum are cysts. These occur when the organ keeps growing instead of breaking down, causing it to fill with fluid.<\/span><\/p>\n

While they typically disappear on their own, they can cause potential symptoms like:<\/span><\/p>\n