Luteal Phase
The phase of the menstrual cycle that begins after ovulation and ends with the start of the next period.
The luteal phase typically lasts 11 to 16 days and is dominated by progesterone produced by the corpus luteum.
After ovulation, the empty follicle in the ovary becomes a structure called the corpus luteum. It produces progesterone, which prepares the uterine lining for a possible pregnancy and raises basal body temperature.
If pregnancy does not occur, the corpus luteum breaks down, progesterone falls, and menstruation begins. A consistently short luteal phase (under 10 days) is sometimes associated with difficulty achieving pregnancy and is one reason cycle tracking can be useful when discussed with a clinician.