Irregular menstrual cycles can negatively affect female infertility

For women struggling to conceive, understanding how menstrual cycles work is a critical component for addressing issues getting pregnant. In 30% to 40% of female infertility cases, irregular menstrual cycles play a major role. Our Tulsa fertility clinic doctors want to ensure that our patients have a clear understanding of their reproductive health.

The 411 on irregular menstrual cycles

An average menstrual cycle is 28 to 30 days. Don’t worry about some variation from month to month. We define irregular menstrual cycles as those that are consistently shorter than 21 days or often longer than 36 days. When patients routinely have cycles that fall out of the normal range, we may suggest comprehensive female infertility testing.

How to deal with irregular cycles

Having regular cycles usually indicates normal ovulation, a necessary part of the conception process. Women experiencing irregular menstrual cycles may face difficulty getting pregnant without some assistance. Our team can diagnose and treat any female fertility issues connected to irregular periods. Hormone issues, maternal age, thyroid imbalances, and conditions such as endometriosis can disrupt ovulation.

Overall wellbeing can also affect your reproductive health. The desire and longing to have a baby, without success, can lead to emotional distress. Consider the following tips for managing irregular cycles.

• Maintain a healthy lifestyle. Being overweight or underweight can result in menstrual cycle disruptions. Achieving a healthy BMI may improve cycle regularity.
• Develop stress-management tools. Your emotional wellbeing can affect your menstrual cycles. Learning healthy coping mechanisms, such as yoga, meditation and practicing mindfulness, can reduce stress and anxiety.
• Gather useful data. Some women have irregular periods, but still ovulate. Buy over-the-counter ovulation predictor kits, and use them to confirm whether or not you are ovulating.
• Consult a doctor. If you have had irregular cycles for more than three months, you may want to make plans to meet with one of our Tulsa fertility clinic doctors to discuss next steps.

Feeling uncertain about potential female infertility concerns? At Tulsa Fertility Center, our team can answer questions and provide the answers you need. Contact our office for more information about irregular menstrual cycles or to schedule an appointment