Corpus Luteum during Pregnancy: Functions, Formation, And Disorders

Numerous hormones are produced by different glands of the body that help them with numerous functions. And one such hormone-producing site is corpus luteam. Therefore, the corpus luteum during pregnancy is vital as it creates a healthy environment in the Uterus for the development of the fetus by releasing the hormone progesterone.

The function of corpus luteum in pregnancy

If someone is wondering what the corpus luteum in left ovary means and what the corpus luteum In right ovary means, they are at the right place. Corpus luteam is a normal cyst that develops on the ovary every month in menstruating women. If the pregnancy does not occur, the corpus luteam lasts 12- 16 days. However, the lifespan of corpus luteum in pregnancy is the first four weeks of pregnancy, but it can have a functional lifespan of 10 weeks.

The primary function of the corpus luteum in pregnancy is to keep the uterus healthy for the fetus by releasing progesterone. The hormone Human Chorionic Gonadotrophic (HCG) stimulates these cells to make progesterone.
Sometimes, people often associate the corpus luteum with the gender of the child but the corpus luteum in right ovary gender is no different from the gender the child will have if the corpus luteum develops in the left ovary. This is because the gender of a child is determined by the chromosome and not by the location of the corpus luteum.

Formation and breakdown of corpus luteum

Corpus luteam is formed in the ovary during the luteal phase that lasts 14 days. It is formed from the material left soon after the egg leaves the follicle. corpus luteum in early pregnancy releases progesterone, and when the placenta starts producing progesterone, the corpus luteam leaves the body around ten weeks of pregnancy. The corpus luteum in right ovary during pregnancy or in the left ovary is made from two types of cells: follicular theca and granulosa, which can be found in ovarian follicles.
If the egg is not fertilized, the corpus luteam breaks down and stops producing hormones. This sudden drop in progesterone causes the disintegration of the endometrium, leading to a menstrual cycle. In the case of abortion, the corpus luteum after abortion usually disappears in a few weeks, but in certain situations, it can take three menstrual cycles to disappear completely.

Anatomy of corpus luteum

In early pregnancy corpus luteum ultrasound, one can see a tunnel-shaped follicle similar to a hair follicle. After the egg leaves the follicle, a saffron-yellow mass of cells forms at the site of the follicle, sealing the break and then taking a new shape. Corpus luteum size in early pregnancy is around 2 centimeters and grows as much as 5 centimeters.

Disorders related to corpus luteum

Some disorders related to corpus luteum are -

Corpus luteum defect

Corpus luteum defect, also known as luteal phase defect, happens when the corpus luteum does not produce enough progesterone, which is essential for the thickening of the uterus lining. This can lead to hemorrhagic corpus luteum in pregnancy which can cause discomfort during pregnancy. And a corpus luteum defect can also prevent one from getting pregnant and having a baby. Symptoms of corpus luteum defects are -

• Spotting

• Infertility

• Irregular periods

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• Frequent miscarriage or loss of pregnancy in early stages

Corpus luteum cysts

Sometimes instead of breaking down, the corpus luteam keeps on growing. Eventually, the corpus luteum gets filled with fluid making a corpus luteum cyst. This cyst can be easily detected in corpus luteum early pregnancy ultrasound.

A doctor may tell a patient that the corpus luteum cysts usually disappear from the corpus luteum pregnancy ultrasound in the first week of menstruation. However, one can experience the following symptoms when they have corpus luteum cysts.

• Corpus luteum pain in the pelvic region

• Bloating

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• Painful menstrual bleeding

• Abnormal vaginal bleeding

• Difficulty in intercourse

• Aches in the lower back

Standard tests for checking the health of corpus luteum

Corpus luteum cysts are seen in the early corpus luteum in pregnancy ultrasound. One can find corpus luteum 5 weeks pregnant women, and if the doctor sees any issues in the corpus luteum in left ovary during pregnancy or in the right ovary, they will recommend the following tests -

• An ultrasound of the vagina to estimate the thickness of the uterus lining.

• Hormonal tests measure the hormone levels of Follicle-stimulating hormones, progesterone, and luteinizing hormones.

• Endometrial biopsy

These tests can follow surgical procedures such as laparoscopy to remove the corpus luteum right ovary during pregnancy or from the left ovary to ensure a smooth pregnancy.

Conclusion

The Corpus luteum plays an essential part in pregnancy by producing progesterone in the body. Furthermore, it disintegrates and is excreted by the body, but if it doesn't, it may develop cysts that can be detected using tests. Therefore, a corpus luteum test is necessary to ensure that the cysts do not become solid and increase ovarian cancer risks.

References -

Lori Smith. August 30, What is a corpus luteum?https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/320433

Cleveland Clinic medical professional. July 2021. Corpus Luteum. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/21849-corpus-luteum#:~:text=Your%20corpus%20luteum%20produces%20the,need%20it%20to%20make%20progesterone.

Corey Whelan on January 17, 2019. How Does the Corpus Luteum Affect Fertility? https://www.healthline.com/health/womens-health/corpus-luteum#outlook

Rachel Gurevich, RN August 26, 2022. What Is the Corpus Luteum?https://www.verywellfamily.com/corpus-luteum-1960062#toc-the-corpus-luteum-and-conception