Irregular Periods and Infertility

If you are trying to conceive and your menstrual cycle is outside what is generally considered the ‘norm’ then you have every reason to set about investigating why. With a normal menstrual cycle fertility has been shown to be four times greater than cycles which are ten days or more out of the norm.

A normal period length can vary anywhere from 25 to 35 days with the optimum length being 28 days. When your period differs from the norm it signals that your fertility is being compromised.

If you experience an irregular cycle every now and then it could be put down to things such as stress, strict dieting or perhaps lack of sleep. However, a consistent pattern of irregular cycles does require attention.

Any irregularity is telling you a story about your reproductive health and some of the symptoms outlined below, although troubling, can indeed be improved.

If you are experiencing short periods this can be a sign of a luteal phase defect. A luteal phase defect is when fewer than 12 days occur after ovulation before the next period commences.

Luteal phase defect can frequently be due to several interconnected factors. An inadequate level of progesterone can in itself be the reason for short cycles with the effect of things such as poor follicle production, inhibited implantation, and premature demise of the corpus luteum.

Long cycles, on the other hand, by their sheer infrequency offer fewer opportunities for conception attempts in any given year. Insulin resistance has been implicated with lengthy menstrual cycles and could signal an underlying metabolic anomaly. If your cycles are as infrequent as nine or less over a year then this can be indicative of polycystic ovarian syndrome.

Hormonal imbalance on the whole will negatively affect the reproductive system, in particular is the impact of excess estrogen which can cause heavy bleeding, spotting and clotting. Conversely, a lack of estrogen might result in light periods. You must consult a medical specialist if you are experiencing heavy bleeding as this could signify more acute reproductive issues.

Recording on paper the daily changes of your menstrual cycle is a good place to start in better understanding your cycle. Charting only takes a few minutes a day and can provide vital information about your fertility to you and your health care professional.

There are many ways of improving the balance of your hormones and subsequently the health of your reproductive system, not the least of which is by undertaking a preconception care program. Preconception care has been shown to improve the chance of conception by up to 80%. Following a highly nutritious diet, avoiding harmful habits like smoking and excessive drinking and supplementing for crucial elements such as zinc will have a direct positive impact on your chance of getting pregnant.