Abnormally heavy or light periods can sometimes mean there are issues that need to be solved before conception can occur, so read on to see if any of these might apply to you.
At first glance, having an unusually heavy period may not seem like something that could affect your fertility, especially if your period is still regular. In reality though, it's not normal to have a super heavy period every month. Most of the underlying causes of very heavy periods are things that also lead to an inability to get pregnant or sustain a healthy pregnancy: things like uterine fibroids or polyps, endometriosis, pelvic inflammatory disease, or a hormone imbalance.
So how do you know if your heavy flow is too heavy? According to Dr. In most cases, having a light period isn't anything to be too concerned about. If you've always had a pretty light period, or if it's always been on the short side, rejoice! This certainly shouldn't affect your chances of getting pregnant. But if your scanty flow is a sudden change that can't be explained by increased stress or dramatic weight loss, you may want to look into what's causing such a light period.
One of the biggest underlying medical issues when it comes to what causes a light period is polycystic ovarian syndrome, or PCOS, a condition where women produce higher than average male hormones. And you probably know by now that PCOS is one of the leading causes of infertility in women today.
But the good news is, proper medical treatment to help keep hormones on track makes it possible for PCOS sufferers to have a healthy pregnancy and carry a baby to term. A picture-perfect cycle length is 28 days. But of course, we're all different, so there will always be some variation in cycle length.
Often, one person's cycle can be off by a day or so, and that's just fine. But drastic differences in cycle lengths can signal issues like hormonal imbalance or other underlying medical issues that can affect fertility. According to Shady Grove Fertility Clinic , "The length of your cycle, while not on any form of birth control, can be a key indicator to hormonal imbalances and whether or not ovulation is occurring in a regular manner.
Hormonal imbalances can affect if and when ovulation occurs during your cycle. Keep reading to learn what it can mean if you're experiencing abnormally long or short menstrual cycles. Metformin may help women with insulin resistance and PCOS ovulate on their own.
If these medications don't work, your doctor may suggest moving onto injectable fertility drugs gonadotropins , IUI treatment , or IVF. If your irregular cycles are caused by primary ovarian insufficiency, your fertility treatment options may be limited.
Talk to your doctor about your options. If the cause for your irregular cycles is a thyroid imbalance or hyperprolactinemia, treating these problems may regulate your periods and return your fertility to normal. This is why getting evaluated by a doctor is essential. Fertility drugs aren't your only option. You may be able to make lifestyle changes, depending on the cause of your irregular cycles. If you are overweight, losing some weight may be enough to jumpstart ovulation and help you conceive.
Remember, though, that some weight problems are caused by an underlying hormonal imbalance. See your doctor, and then make a weight loss plan. If extreme dieting is the problem, changing your diet to a more balanced plan, and even gaining some weight if you're underweight, can help regulate your cycles.
If your issue is over-exercise, cutting back may regulate your cycles. You may need to take a break from your sport to jump-start your cycles again. You may want to consider trying a fertility supplement only after consulting with your doctor. If you have irregular periods, the best thing to do is see your gynecologist. Even if you weren't trying to get pregnant, it's a good idea to get checked out. Usually, the recommendation is that you try to get pregnant for one year or six months if you're age 35 of older , and then, if you don't conceive, to see a doctor.
This doesn't apply if there are signs of a problem. Irregular cycles are a risk factor for infertility. Your doctor can run some simple blood tests to see if you are ovulating or not. If your blood work indicates that you are ovulating, and you're not over 35, you might want to keep trying to get pregnant on your own for a bit longer. Ovulation problems are a common cause of female factor infertility , with a pretty good treatment success rate.
There's no shame in needing some help. Don't be afraid to seek it out. Get diet and wellness tips to help your kids stay healthy and happy. Menstrual cycle variability and the likelihood of achieving pregnancy. Rev Environ Health. A Bayesian joint model of menstrual cycle length and fecundity. Epidemiological survey and risk factor analysis of recurrent spontaneous miscarriages in infertile women at large infertility centers.
Chin Med J. Treatment of hyperprolactinemia: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Syst Rev. Nelson LM. Primary ovarian insufficiency. N Engl J Med. Obesity and reproductive function.
Obstet Gynecol Clin North Am. If you have sex without using contraception, you can conceive get pregnant at any time during your menstrual cycle, even during or just after your period. You can also get pregnant if you have never had a period before, during your first period, or after the first time you have sex. There's no "safe" time of the month when you can have sex without contraception and not risk becoming pregnant. But there are times in your menstrual cycle when you're at your most fertile, and this is when you're most likely to conceive.
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.
Though not a disease, research shows consistent anovulation indicates an underlying fertility or hormonal issue. In most cases, doctors prescribe fertility drugs or other treatment to improve ovulation and regulate the period.
PCOS is an imbalance in the hormones controlling the reproductive system. PCOS causes irregular ovulation, cysts on ovaries, bleeding, and infertility. Research shows PCOS cases double miscarraiges and premature deliveries.
Thyroid Issues can affect the frequency and timeliness of menstrual cycles. Fibroids, diabetes, and endometriosis are other common reasons for irregular periods.
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