How to know if you have an irregular menstrual cycle
Have you ever wondered if you have an irregular menstrual cycle? What is “regular?” How do your periods affect your fertility? If your periods are irregular, it may mean that you are not ovulating normally. Ovulatory problems are the cause in many cases of female factor infertility. Learn more about irregular periods and ovulation from the staff at our New Jersey fertility center.
Since all women may occasionally experience an irregular cycle, it’s a good idea to track your cycles for a few months. There are many available phone apps that are excellent at keeping track of your cycles.
How do you define a “regular” period?
For most women, here’s what it means to have a normal period, measured from the first day of your period to the first day of the next cycle.
- Experiencing menstrual bleeding every 25 to 35 days
- Periods last from two to seven days
The amount of menstrual bleeding and the length of the cycle varies from person to person, and those slight variations may be normal. However, if you notice any of the following issues with your periods, you may have an irregular menstrual cycle or related condition.
- Missing your period two or more cycles in a row
- Having periods fewer than 25 days apart or more than 35 days apart
- Menstrual bleeding that is much lighter or heavier than your usual flow
- Bleeding that is so heavy, you go through one or more pads or tampons in one hour
- Having periods that last more than seven days
- Spotting or bleeding between periods
- Having a flow after you have intercourse
- Experiencing severe cramping or pain, nausea or vomiting during your period
If you suspect that you have irregular periods and are having issues with infertility, you should consult with the expert team at our New Jersey fertility center.
If I have an irregular menstrual cycle, will it affect my fertility?
Irregular periods don’t necessarily mean that you will have fertility issues, but if they signal ovulatory problems, you may need to consult with a fertility specialist if you are trying to conceive. If you are 35 or younger and have been having unprotected sex for one year, or, if you are 35 or older and have been trying for six months, it’s a good idea to consult with a fertility doctor.
If your irregular periods are a symptom of difficulty with ovulation, it means that you may not be ovulating, or releasing an egg, very often or at all. An irregular menstrual cycle can also be a symptom of other health issues that cause infertility, including the following.
- Polycystic ovary syndrome, or PCOS
- Uterine fibroids
- Endometriosis
- Reduced ovarian reserve
If you suspect that your periods are not regular, you should see a physician who is trained in these conditions, to diagnose the cause and offer the appropriate treatment.
Our New Jersey fertility center can help you determine if you have ovulatory problems
At our fertility center, our team will expertly diagnose the cause of your infertility and recommend state-of-the-art fertility treatment to help you achieve your dreams of parenthood. Contact us for an appointment.