Periods or Menses can be irregular at one or the other time in every women during her reproductive years. But one should know when to call it as irregular and its effect on fertility especially if the women is trying to conceive. Length of the menstrual cycle varies from women to women but the average is to have periods every 28 days. Regular cycles that are longer or shorter than this, i.e from 4-5 weeks (28 – 35 days) are normal. A onetime off occasion of a late/ early period should not cause concern. To check, record the last day of the last period to the first day of the first period. Repeat for at least 3 months. A significant difference over the time frame means a possible irregular period.
Examples of irregular periods include periods that occur fewer than 21 days or more than 35 days apart, missing 3 or more periods in a row and menstrual flow that’s much heavier or lighter than usual.
Many things cause irregular periods such as changes in hormone levels, stress, certain health conditions, medications and more.
OTHER ISSUES WITH IRREGULAR PERIODS
Thyroid illness can affect the frequency and timeliness of menstrual cycles. Fibroids, diabetes and endometriosis are common reasons for irregular periods. Irregular or absent periods can also be seen in sexually transmitted infections.
CHANGE IN LIFESTYLE AND IRREGULAR PERIODS
Excessive exercise or dieting can cause irregular periods or even stop them completely. Stress, illness, weight gain or weight loss have adverse effects on the body including your periods.
How to get pregnant with irregular cycles?
A good diet, plenty of exercise and a good night’s sleep may help in regulating your cycles. Having regular periods may make it easier to track ovulation. Though this may not work for everyone. The good news is as long as there is ovulatory cycle, there is good chances of getting pregnant.
There are many tests that are available to detect whether ovulation is occurring or not. Ovulation predictor tests work like pregnancy tests where you pee on the test strip to determine when you are most fertile. But these tests have its own disadvantages of giving high false positives (especially in PCOS conditions) and having to use for multiple days when periods are irregular. Apart from these, making a note of Basal Body Temperature (BBT) can indicate approximate days of ovulation. However Trans-vaginal ultrasound and/or blood tests taken at your Gynec’s clinic is the most accurate way for detecting ovulation.
One effective way to get pregnant with irregular cycles is to forgo trying to detect ovulation and just having frequent sex throughout your cycles. Some couples might find timing sex for pregnancy stressful. This approach can help in avoiding that stress and you need not worry about missing ovulation. If you are having sex three to four times a week, you are very likely to have sex on a fertile day.
Medications to help you conceive
If you have irregular periods, kindly consult your gynaecologist even if you are not trying to conceive. There are certain medications to increase your fertility that your doctor will prescribe after evaluating the cause of irregular periods. These can boost ovulation, make cycles regular, help women with insulin resistance and PCOD to ovulate on their own. If your medications don’t work, your doctor may suggest moving onto injectable fertility drugs (Gonadotropins), IUI treatment or IVF. Treatment of the cause for irregular periods in case of thyroid hormone imbalance or Hyperprolactinemia might return fertility back to normal by regulating cycles.
Fertility drugs aren’t your only option. Making simple lifestyle changes in control of weight and supplements will help in conceiving by jumpstarting ovulation.
Irregular cycles are a risk factor for infertility. There is no shame is seeking help from your gynaecologist. Don’t be afraid to ask.
