An irregular period is a nightmare for someone who is trying to get pregnant. The normal range of periods is between 24-31 days. Menstrual cycles that fall outside this range are considered irregular. When you have irregular period problem, you will never know when you are ovulating. Thus the chances of getting pregnant are low.
One menstrual cycle is the time between the start of one period and the next. According to scientific studies, the normal variation between two periods is from 0.3 days to 9days. Doctors generally consider cycles less than 24 days and more than 38 days to be irregular. An irregular period is a symptom of irregular ovulation. Women with long menstrual cycles do not ovulate.
The main symptom of irregular periods is when the cycle is longer than 35 days. When menstruation first starts during puberty it takes some time to establish a regular cycle. Irregular period symptoms include-
There may be various causes of irregular periods. Causes of irregular periods include-
Stress and diet
Bad eating habits or eating disorders can result in periods to become irregular. Stress is also the most important cause of irregular periods.
Hormone imbalances
Hormones play an important part in ovulation. Hormonal imbalances can cause a woman to ovulate infrequently or not at all. Hormonal imbalance condition called PCOS is the most common reason for irregular periods. Thyroid disorders, uncontrolled diabetes, and some medications may also cause irregular periods.
Endometriosis
It is a condition where the endometrial tissue in the uterus grows beyond it. This may cause irregular periods and bleed.
Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding suppresses ovulation and causes irregular periods.
Premature ovarian insufficiency
Premature ovarian insufficiency causes to stop egg production in the early 20s or 30s. In such cases, women have to take a donor egg of getting pregnant.
A point to remember- Ovarian and uterine cyst causing bleeding between periods may also cause irregularity in periods.
Irregular periods affect pregnancy and lower its chances. But, a woman with irregular periods can also get pregnant and can have normal pregnancies. Lower chances of getting pregnant are a side effect of irregular periods.
In irregular periods it is hard to determine when you ovulate. A missed period may not quiz you if you have irregular periods. But, if you miss your periods for more than three months then you should get a pregnancy test done.
Irregular ovulation can cause trouble in getting pregnant, but the absence of ovulation is a matter of concern. If you don’t ovulate, you can’t get pregnant. In cases of absence of ovulation, you must see your doctor get the right medicine that can help to get pregnant. Irregular period’s treatment can help to improve the condition and increases the chances of pregnancy. Women suffering from irregular periods may opt for in vitro fertilization for conceiving.
It is difficult to track ovulation in irregular periods. There are a few ways to detect ovulation in irregular periods. You should look for mucus in your vagina. If you get a lot of clear, sticky mucus in the middle of the cycle then you are ovulating at that time. You can track your temperature each morning with a basal body temperature thermometer. As soon as you ovulate the body temperature increases by half degree Celsius. This may help to detect ovulation.
You can use ovulation kits to know when you are ovulating. They are accurate in detecting a hormone that increases while the ovulation process begins.
PCOS is the main cause of irregular periods. Irregular period’s treatment can be done by hormonal therapies and medications. Apart from that, some home remedies may also prove beneficial in the treatment of irregular periods. They include-
HERA pro tip- Yoga can help to relieve stress and depression. It helps to regulate hormones and menstruation cycles. .- HERA
Some supplements may help to regulate the menstrual cycle. These supplements maintain the hormonal level and cure nutritional deficiencies. You must take the advice of a doctor before having any supplements.
Best supplements include-
Inositol
Inositol supplements like Ovary good, Now Supplement, and nutricost inositol powder is beneficial in the treatment of irregular periods.
Cinnamon
Cinnamon supplements like Nature’s Bounty cinnamon, Gaia herbs cinnamon, nutricost cinnamon helps to regulate irregular periods.
Vitex
Vitex supplements help to regulate irregular periods by stimulating signalling to the ovaries.
Vitamin C with Bioflavonoids
Vitamin C with Bioflavonoids supplements like Purayati, Fast&Up India, Zenith Nutrition can help to regulate irregular periods.
The bottom line
Hormonal imbalances and stress are the main causes of irregular periods. Irregular periods affect the chances of getting pregnant. Severe irregularity is a signal of abnormal ovulation. You should contact a healthcare provider for treating irregular period problem.