An irregular cycle occurs more frequently than 21 days. Irregular periods can come early, missed, or stay longer than 8 days. Pregnancy, starting or stopping birth control creates erratic periods. A one-off occasion of a late or 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 three months.
A significant difference over the timeframe means a possible irregular period. To be safe, schedule an appointment with a gynecologist.
Yes, women can get pregnant with an irregular period. However, the ability to get pregnant decreases significantly. The disadvantage is ovulation becomes difficult to determine. Studies show this decreases exponentially if periods are off by ten days or more. Irregular periods may also be a sign of anovulation. During the menstrual cycle, a mature egg releases. When ovulation does not occur, the cycle is anovulatory.
In fact, plenty of women with irregular menstrual cycles get pregnant and go on to have normal pregnancies. So if you're wondering whether irregular periods mean infertility, the answer is no, but this may make it harder for you to get pregnant. That said, when your periods are irregular, it makes it much more difficult if not impossible to look to your cycle for fertility bulletins so you know when to try to conceive.
Usually women will track their cycles to determine when ovulation happens. But going months without bleeding and then getting your period without any discernible pattern, or always having irregular periods, can make that type of tracking unreliable. The real concern when it comes to irregular periods is that occasionally the condition might indicate irregular or absent ovulation. Problems with ovulation are responsible for up to 30 percent of all cases of infertility.
If it turns out that your menstrual irregularities signal an ovulation problem, now's the time to consult with your physician to have an evaluation to see if you will need help getting pregnant or if there are any underlying health issues that should be addressed first.
It could be as easy as lowering your stress levels extreme stress can derail your cycles or cutting back on intense exercising which could also prevent you from ovulating and having regular periods. If your irregular periods are hormone-related, your doctor may suggest treating an underlying thyroid condition or using hormone therapies like birth control pills or certain types of IUDs that regulate your menstrual cycle.
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This educational content is not medical or diagnostic advice. Use of this site is subject to our terms of use and privacy policy. Registry Builder New. Irregular Periods and Getting Pregnant. The only way to completely prevent pregnancy and STDs is abstinence not having sex.
If you do have sex, use a condom every time to protect against unplanned pregnancy and STDs. For added protection, many couples use condoms along with another method of birth control, like birth control pills or an IUD. Talk to your doctor about the best type of birth control for you. Reviewed by: Amy W. Anzilotti, MD.
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