Understanding the relationship between your menstrual cycle and fertility is important especially if you are planning to get pregnant. This is because your menstrual cycle is an essential part of the reproductive system’s process in preparing your body for possible pregnancy.
While having a regular menstrual cycle is an indicator of a healthy reproductive system, irregular periods do not automatically mean that your body has fertility problems. This article will help you understand more about this topic, specifically the causes of infertility, its relation to irregular periods, and when to seek medical advice.
How Does the Menstrual Cycle Work?
Your menstrual cycle is a complicated process occurring in the reproductive system that is regulated by hormones. It follows four phases:
- Menstruation: This happens during the first 5 days of your menstrual cycle. During this time, the endometrium or the uterus’ lining sheds, which leads to menstrual bleeding. The very first day when your body releases your menstrual flow is considered day 1 of your cycle.
- Follicular Phase: Begins with the onset of menses and ends the day before ovulation. From days 6-14, your brain’s pituitary gland releases a hormone, follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) that stimulates your ovaries to produce follicles. Among those follicles, one starts to produce estrogen, which signals your uterus to thicken its lining. This is a process that prepares the uterus for a possible implantation. When the lining is prepared, the dominant follicle then releases the egg, leading to ovulation.
- Ovulation: On a regular menstrual cycle, ovulation happens around day 14. At mid-cycle, a Luteinising Hormone (LH) surge triggers ovulation. As the egg is released from the dominant follicle, it travels through the fallopian tube, and waits for the possibility to be fertilised by a sperm cell. This is the time when you are most fertile during your menstrual cycle.
- Luteal Phase: After the ovulation, the ruptured follicle turns into corpus luteum, which is a temporary gland that produces estrogen and progesterone to prepare the uterus for pregnancy in case fertilisation happens. When the egg is not fertilised, then the corpus luteum degenerates and triggers the start of menstruation.
Predicting the day of your ovulation is possible when you track your regular menstrual cycle, but they may not always be accurate.
Does an Irregular Period Mean Poor Egg Quality?
Irregular period may not necessarily indicate poor egg quality. While it can be an indicator of potential issues, there are other factors that can influence poor egg quality, such as:
- Age: Your body’s ability to produce the quality and amount of eggs declines as you age.
- Genetic factors: Disorders caused by genes can influence your ovary’s function, which affects egg development and quality.
- Lifestyle factors: Unhealthy lifestyle habits, such as smoking, alcohol consumption and poor diet, can impact the health and quality of egg that your body produces.
- Medical conditions: Various medical conditions, as well as procedures and treatments related to these, can cause dysfunctions and disorders in your reproductive system, resulting in poor egg quality.
Can You Get Pregnant with Irregular Periods?
Your fertility is influenced by several factors — including your body’s ability to ovulate, the quality of the eggs released, and your overall reproductive health. It is not solely determined by how regular your menstrual cycle is.
Irregular periods typically indicate that ovulation doesn’t follow a predictable schedule, making it more challenging to pinpoint your most fertile window. However, as long as ovulation occurs, pregnancy is still possible.
For women with underlying conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), conceiving can be more difficult — but it is by no means impossible. If you have PCOS, speak with your doctor about available treatments and medications that can help manage symptoms and support regular ovulation to improve your chances of conception.
Possible Causes of Irregular Periods
Irregular periods do not exclusively refer to missing a menstrual cycle. It can also mean having heavy flows or experiencing menstrual bleeding that goes beyond seven days. There are several reasons that can cause your body to have irregular periods, including:
- Hormonal imbalances (e.g. PCOS, thyroid disorders)
- Lifestyle factors and stress
- Perimenopause
- Underlying medical conditions (e.g. Endometriosis)
Many of the causes and effects of irregular periods on your body are treatable, so it is advisable that you consult with your doctor to know about available treatments to improve your fertility if you are trying to conceive.
Are Painful Periods a Sign of Good Fertility?
Some believe that painful periods are a sign of good fertility — but this is a common misconception. In reality, painful periods, or dysmenorrhoea, may signal an underlying condition that can impact fertility, such as endometriosis.
Endometriosis occurs when tissue similar to the uterine lining grows outside the uterus, often affecting surrounding organs. It can cause severe menstrual cramps, pelvic pain, and discomfort during or after intercourse — and it may reduce your chances of conceiving.
If your menstrual pain is intense or disrupts your daily life, it’s important to consult a doctor to rule out any underlying issues and protect your reproductive health.
When to Seek Medical Help for Irregular Menses
Don’t delay seeking medical advice if you’re experiencing irregular periods — especially if:
- Your irregular cycle persists for several months
- Your cycle length is over 35 days or below 21 days
- You experience additional symptoms such as severe pain, missed periods, or difficulty conceiving
A medical consultation is key to identifying the root cause of your symptoms and receiving a personalised treatment plan to help regulate your cycle and protect your reproductive health.
Final word on irregular periods and pregnancy
A key factor in improving fertility is maintaining a healthy reproductive system. While irregular periods can be a symptom of infertility, they do not automatically mean pregnancy is out of reach. This is why a proper medical assessment is important – diagnosis and treatment of any underlying reproductive health issues can help regulate your menstrual cycle and improve your chances of conceiving.
At Prologue The Lifestyle Medical Clinic, we take a comprehensive and personalised approach to women’s health. If you’re concerned about irregular periods or fertility, schedule a consultation with us to get the clarity and care you need.
