Infertility Due to Luteal Phase Defects: Options in Diagnosis, and Treatment With Bio-identical Progesterone

Infertility is clinically defined as the inability of a person or couple to conceive after one year of unprotected intercourse, or the inability of the female to carry a pregnancy to term. Estimates in the literature of the incidence of infertility in the US range from 10-15%(1). On seeking help from the medical field as to what is causing the inability to conceive, the individuals are subjected to a barrage of diagnostic exams and screening tests, and may be given any of the diagnoses as listed in Table 1. Even with appropriate therapy, success may be limited. Emotionally, this can be devastating to a couple who have invested much of their time, money, and identity into achieving a viable pregnancy.