PsychologySeptember 3, 2026

luteal

LOO-tee-ul

Definition

The second half of the menstrual cycle, occurring after ovulation and characterized by the secretion of progesterone.

Etymology

Derived from the Latin 'luteus', meaning 'yellowish,' as it refers to the corpus luteum, the yellow hormone-secreting body that forms in the ovary during this phase.

In the news

The article uses 'luteal' to describe a specific phase of the menstrual cycle where researchers hypothesized that hormone fluctuations might influence social competition.

New research questions the role of fertility in women’s indirect aggression

Read the full article ↗

PsyPost

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