Measurement of Plasma LH, FSH, Estradiol and Progesterone in Disorders of the Human Menstrual Cycle: The Short Luteal Phase

Abstract

Blood levels of LH, FSH, estradiol (E₂) and progesterone (P) were determined daily during 11 cycles in 4 women with a luteal phase of less than 10 days. In all cycles peak preovulatory estradiol levels were subnormal. Luteal phase secretion of both estradiol and progesterone was more than 2 sem below normal and mean, midfollicular phase FSH was lower than found in a group of normal cycles. In 2 individuals the defect was found to occur repetitively in cycles analyzed for up to 1 yr. All cycles were of normal total duration. The menstrual cycle with a short luteal phase may be a distinct and common form of infertility. When identified, it may be amenable to specific treatment with human chorionic gonadotropin or gonadotropin-releasing hormone.