Wondering how irregular menstruation can affect your fertility? Here’s what you need to know about the relation between irregular periods and fertility.
A menstruation cycle is a cycle in which the uterus grows and sheds a lining (called the endometrium). It supports the development of a fertilized egg. A menstrual cycle lasts 28 days on average. The cycle varies from woman to woman. Regular menstrual cycles that are longer or shorter than this, from 21 to 40 days, are also normal. At the beginning of menses, women experience cramps, mood swings, bloating, fatigue, and breast tenderness.
Hormonal changes regulate the ovulation and prepare for possible pregnancy post-ovulation. Ovulation is the process of the monthly release of a mature egg from the ovary.
Hormones are the key players in menstruation. A body prepares for pregnancy that begins with the secretion of a hormone called estradiol when the egg is mature. An increase in the production of estrogen can result in a surge of luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). An uptick in LH usually indicates that ovulation is about to begin and it happens typically around day 14 of the cycle.
Some women get their periods at fixed intervals every month. But some have completely unpredictable and irregular cycles which may affect their fertility. But it is common for the menstrual cycles to fluctuate.
If a woman experiences symptoms, such as no bleeding, heavy bleeding, or others listed below that are abnormal for her menstrual cycle, it indicates a menstrual disorder and requires treatment.
Generally, some underlying causes can cause symptoms that might appear to be due to a menstrual disorder.
- Thyroid issues
- PCOS
- Extreme weight loss or gain
- Eating disorders
- Medications, including contraceptives
- Stress
ARE YOU TRYING TO GET PREGNANT?
You can follow these steps to increase your chances of getting pregnant:
- Use an ovulation monitor at home to detect luteinizing hormone: Levels usually rise just before ovulation, and you may plan intercourse during this surge.
- Observe vaginal discharge: Also called cervical fluid, it generally becomes very watery or has the consistency of egg whites just before ovulation.
- Watch for signs of fertility over many months: These patterns and signs are different for everybody.
- Anyone who does not notice any evidence of ovulation should consult a doctor, who may prescribe medications to help the body ovulate.
IMPROVING YOUR FERTILITY
You should adopt several good habits to boost overall health. It will help you to regulate your periods and, in turn, improve your fertility. You should consider:
- quitting smoking
- reducing or eliminating alcohol
- exercising regularly
- having a healthy balanced diet
- maintaining a healthy weight as per your Body Mass Index
- taking a prenatal vitamin containing folic acid
A doctor or a fertility specialist can help you to determine the actual reason for irregularity and guide whether further examination is needed. A treatable medical condition may be causing abnormalities in your menstrual cycles.