Rosenberg, S. M., Luciano, A. A., & Riddick, D. H. (1980). The luteal phase defect: the relative frequency of, and encouraging response to, treatment with vaginal progesterone. Fertility and Sterility, 34(1), 17-20. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0015-0282(16)44831-4
Rosenberg SM, Luciano AA, Riddick DH. The luteal phase defect: the relative frequency of, and encouraging response to, treatment with vaginal progesterone. Fertil Steril. 1980;34(1):17-20. doi:10.1016/s0015-0282(16)44831-4
Rosenberg, Sanford M., et al. "The luteal phase defect: the relative frequency of, and encouraging response to, treatment with vaginal progesterone." Fertility and Sterility, vol. 34, no. 1, 1980, pp. 17-20.
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Luteal phase defect seen in 8.1% of patients at one infertility clinic
A review of 396 infertility patients at one Connecticut clinic found luteal phase defect in 8.1%. 9 of 13 patients with no other apparent cause conceived while treated with vaginal progesterone.
Key Findings
Clinic records covered 396 infertility patients seen from December 1976 to May 1979. Luteal phase defect was diagnosed in 32 of them (8.1%).
Thirteen patients had no other apparent cause of infertility. Nine conceived (70%), and seven of them went on to a term delivery (54%).
Eight patients had additional diagnoses compatible with infertility. Two conceived (25%), and one (13%) reached term.
All four patients with habitual abortion conceived. One of them delivered at term.
In the first two groups, 100% of the eventual conceptions occurred within four treatment cycles.
Interpretation
This retrospective review of clinic records examined luteal phase defect in 396 infertility patients seen over a three-year span. Diagnosis required two abnormal timed endometrial biopsies. The authors compare the 8.1% prevalence found here with the 3.5% rate usually recorded in earlier series. Most patients with luteal phase defect had cycle length, bleeding patterns, and luteal phase length that looked normal alongside other patients. The findings support larger studies of progesterone treatment for luteal phase defect.
RRM Context
Restorative reproductive medicine looks for the cause of infertility. Here, a timed biopsy of the uterine lining made the diagnosis in patients who mostly had normal-looking cycle and luteal phase lengths. Infertility that looks unexplained is undiagnosed. NaProTechnology, developed by Dr. Thomas W. Hilgers, supports the luteal phase with cycle-timed progesterone.
Our editorial summary of this paper, not the article's abstract.
Abstract
Three hundred and ninety-six patients were evaluated for primary and secondary infertility between December 1976 and May 1979 at a large referral center. Timed late luteal endometrial biopsies were routinely obtained as part of the work-up and were repeated for confirmation if subsequent menses did not occur within 2 days of the expected date. If both biopsies were abnormal, a diagnosis of luteal phase defect (LPD) was made and patients were treated with vaginal progesterone suppositories for a minimum of 6 months. LPD was discovered in 32 of 396 patients (8.1%); among those patients whose infertility was not complicated by other abnormalities, 9 of 13 conceived (70%) and 7 of 13 carried to term (54%). These data suggest an incidence higher than generally recognized and a very encouraging response to replacement therapy.
Practice Committee of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine and Practice Committee of the Society for Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, 2026
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