If you have an irregular or missed period, you may be worried that you might be pregnant. The good news is that you can get pregnant. However, it may take longer and be more difficult than for someone who has a regular menstrual cycle, which is usually defined as lasting an average of 28 days. Studies have shown that people with irregular menstrual cycles are less likely to get pregnant, but with time and treatment, it is possible.
Is it easy to get pregnant?
The likelihood of conceiving depends on the following:
- What causes irregular periods?
- How irregular is your menstrual cycle?
- Can you calculate the exact time to have sex to get pregnant?
Are your periods really irregular?
An irregular menstrual cycle is one that is shorter than 21 days or longer than 36 days. A cycle can also be considered irregular if it varies significantly from month to month. For example, if one month is 23 days and another month is 35 days, then the cycle is considered irregular.
Research has found that variations in cycle length are more closely related to infertility than simply having a short or long cycle. In other words, if your cycle tends to be slightly longer than the normal range, but remains the same length, you’re less likely to experience fertility problems than someone whose cycle length varies a lot but remains within the normal range.
Don’t worry if your cycle is off by a day or two each month. Longer changes (more than five days) may indicate fertility issues.
It’s normal to have irregular menstrual cycles from time to time. Stress or illness can delay ovulation or menstruation, making your cycle longer or shorter than usual. If you only have these “off” cycles once or twice a year, there’s no need to worry.
How to detect ovulation if you have an irregular menstrual cycle
If your ovulation is irregular, you’ll need to make an extra effort to determine when you’re most fertile. There are many ways to predict ovulation, and you may need to use more than one method to determine the best time to have sex to get pregnant.
Ovulation prediction tests are very similar to pregnancy tests, in that you urinate on a test strip to determine when you are most fertile. However, for some people, the tests can produce a high number of “false positive results.” This is especially common in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
You should also consider tracking your basal body temperature (BBT). A BBT chart can help you determine when you ovulate. You can also share your BBT chart with your healthcare provider, who can use this information to make a diagnosis.
Of course, the most accurate way to detect ovulation or anovulation is to have a transvaginal ultrasound and blood tests at your doctor’s office. Talk to your healthcare provider to determine if these options are right for you.
How to get pregnant even with irregular or amenorrhea
Eating a healthy diet, getting enough exercise, and practicing healthy sleep habits can help keep your menstrual cycle regular. As long as you’re ovulating, you’re more likely to get pregnant.
An effective way to get pregnant with irregular periods is to have sex regularly throughout your menstrual cycle without trying to detect ovulation. Scheduling sex to get pregnant can be stressful for some couples. This approach avoids that stress. If you have a positive ovulation test, you should not attempt to have sex. Instead, just have sex regularly throughout the month (ideally every other day).
This way, you won’t have to worry about missing out on ovulation, and if you have sex 3-4 times a week, there’s a good chance you’re having sex on your fertile days.
Some Causes of Amenorrhea or Menstrual Irregularities
Irregular periods can indicate subtle hormonal imbalances. Ovulation occurs every month, but the date of ovulation can vary. If you are ovulating, you can get pregnant without the use of fertility drugs. Here are some possible causes of irregular periods, which are also risk factors for infertility:
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
Irregular menstrual cycles can be a sign of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), a common endocrine disorder that affects one in eight people with ovaries. Not everyone with PCOS is infertile, but many have a harder time getting pregnant. Women with PCOS are also at higher risk of early miscarriage.
Thyroid Imbalance
Hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism can cause menstrual irregularities and infertility. Other symptoms of a thyroid imbalance include weight changes, trouble sleeping or feeling tired all the time, unexplained anxiety or depression, and constipation or diarrhea problems.
Hyperprolactinemia
Prolactin is the hormone that primarily stimulates the mammary glands to produce breast milk. Hyperprolactinemia is a condition in which hormone levels are high even when the woman is not pregnant or breastfeeding.
Abnormally high prolactin levels can cause irregular menstrual periods or stop menstruation altogether. Other symptoms include swollen or sore breasts, milk leaking from the nipples, and pain during sexual intercourse (due to vaginal dryness).
Primary ovarian insufficiency (POI)
Primary ovarian failure, also known as premature ovarian failure (POF), can cause irregular menstrual periods or a complete cessation of menstrual periods. POI/POF can also be accompanied by a drop in estrogen levels, which can cause symptoms such as vaginal dryness, painful intercourse, hot flashes and night sweats, sleep problems, and unexplained depression and anxiety.
obesity
Obesity is the most common, preventable cause of menstrual irregularities and reduced fertility. In some cases, weight fluctuations may be due to an underlying undiagnosed hormone imbalance. For example, PCOS and hypothyroidism can both cause rapid weight gain and difficulty losing weight.
If you suddenly gain weight without any major lifestyle changes, or if you’re having a very hard time losing weight, talk to your healthcare provider, which can help if a hormone imbalance is contributing to your weight fluctuations.
Underweight
Just as too much body fat can lead to irregular menstrual periods, too little body fat can lead to irregular menstrual periods and infertility. Eating disorders are also a risk factor for infertility and amenorrhea.
Excessive exercise and excessive dieting are also potential causes of menstrual irregularities, which may increase the chances of infertility in athletes.
No ovulation
Sometimes irregular periods can be a sign of anovulation, which is a menstrual cycle in which ovulation does not occur. Without ovulation, you cannot get pregnant without the help of fertility treatments.
Fertility drugs for amenorrhea or menstrual irregularities
If you’re not ovulating, you may need to take fertility medications to induce ovulation. Fertility medications can also help people with irregular ovulation.
Clomid is the most commonly prescribed medication for ovulation disorders and has a high success rate, but you should discuss all possible options with your healthcare provider. They may recommend injectable fertility drugs (gonadotropins), IUI or IVF treatments.
Lifestyle Changes and Supplements to Regulate Ovulation
Fertility medications aren’t your only option. Depending on the cause of your irregular periods, lifestyle changes may help.
For example, obesity is known to affect fertility by interfering with ovulation. If you have a lot of body fat, simply losing weight may help stimulate ovulation and make you more likely to conceive. Research shows that obese people can resume ovulation or ovulate more regularly by losing just 2-5% or more of their body weight.
However, keep in mind that underlying health issues like thyroid problems or hormone imbalances could also be the cause. Talk to your healthcare provider about a weight loss
If you have too little body fat, change your diet to gain weight and regularize your menstrual cycle. If excessive exercise is a problem, cut back on it to regulate your cycle. You could also consider trying fertility supplements (but be sure to talk to your doctor first).
Talk to your healthcare provider about irregular or absent periods
If you experience irregular periods or miss a period, it’s best to see a gynaecologist right away. Even if you’re not trying to get pregnant, you should see a doctor if you experience irregular periods.
Your healthcare provider can do a simple blood test to see if you’re ovulating. If your blood test shows that you’re ovulating and you’re under 35, consider continuing to try to get pregnant on your own for a little while longer.
