Getting pregnant with irregular periods: 5 Ways to improve your chances

Irregular periods and pregnancy

Irregular periods can refer to the overall menstrual cycle, as well as the menstrual bleed itself. Signs of an irregular period include [1]: 

• A cycle that lasts for fewer than 21 days or more than 35 days
• A period that bleeds much heavier or lighter than usual
• A period that lasts for more than seven days
• Bleeding or spotting between periods
• Not having a period for three to six months

In order for pregnancy to happen, ovulation needs to occur — this is the release of an egg cell from the ovaries, which happens once per cycle. Among other possible causes, irregular cycles can indicate a lack of ovulation, called anovulation. Anovulation means the egg sac has not released an egg, and pregnancy is not possible during this cycle. But experiencing irregular periods does not necessarily mean you will experience fertility issues or cannot get pregnant, as you may still be ovulating. 

As ovulation is a crucial step in conception, it’s helpful to work out whether your cycles are ovulatory or not. There are a number of ways you can find out if and when you’re ovulating, such as using ovulation tests or tracking your body temperature with the Natural Cycles app — we’ll talk more about how these methods work later in this article. 

Causes of irregular cycles

Let’s take a closer look at some of the factors that can lead to irregular periods and cycles.

Lifestyle factors

Lifestyle factors can impact the regularity and characteristics of your periods more than you might think. The most common to consider are:

• Stress: The hormones related to stress can interfere with your body’s secretion of luteinizing hormone (LH), delaying ovulation and resulting in a late period [2].
• Weight: Being overweight or underweight has been found to contribute to irregular periods [3].
• Smoking: Individuals who smoke are at a higher risk of irregular periods and early menopause [4].

Hormonal changes

Hormones can also influence your menstrual cycle, whether due to natural fluctuations or a medical condition. Natural, reproductive hormonal changes include: 

• Pregnancy & Post-birth: After pregnancy, your periods can be irregular while your hormones settle, including pregnancies that don’t result in birth. Breastfeeding can also interrupt your menstrual cycle, as the hormone prolactin is being produced and can affect ovulation (more on this below) [5].
• Puberty: Irregular periods are common when you first enter your fertile years, during puberty, and can continue for up to two years as your hormones estrogen and progesterone settle [6].
• Perimenopause: Perimenopause is the term used to describe the time before menopause, when hormones begin to fluctuate. Menopause occurs when you have had your last menstrual bleed, and is only confirmed after 12 months without a period. Estrogen and progesterone are key hormones in the menstrual cycle that both start to decline during perimenopause, resulting in irregular periods [7].
• Age: Cycle changes can also be a part of aging. As we approach menopause, menstrual cycles tend to get irregular and often longer. However, our own research suggests that shorter cycles (<21 days) are also common for individuals in their 40s and early 50s. Furthermore, while shorter cycles in very young adult women typically happen without ovulation, those in their 40s and 50s, who experience shorter cycles, usually still ovulate.

On the other hand, hormonal changes that cause irregular periods may be due to an underlying medical condition, such as: 

• Hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism: These conditions occur when your thyroid produces either too much or too little of the thyroid hormone, which in turn influences your menstrual cycle [8]. 
• Fibroids & polyps: Certain tissue growths can cause irregular periods. Fibroids are non-cancerous growths of muscle and fibrous tissue developing in or around the uterus [9]. Endometrial polyps are small overgrowths of uterine lining in the uterus [10]. Both fibroids and polyps can cause irregular periods and have an effect on implantation and the ability for sperm to reach the egg during conception.
• Hyperprolactinemia: This term describes an overproduction of the hormone prolactin, which is responsible for breastfeeding. Too much prolactin interferes with ovulation and can contribute to irregular periods [5].
• Endometriosis: Endometriosis is a chronic inflammatory condition that causes heavy bleeding, where tissue, similar to the uterine (womb) lining, grows outside of the uterine area. An estimated 30-50% of women with endometriosis will experience fertility issues [11], due to several factors such as pelvic anatomy changes, hormone and cellular-level changes in the uterine lining, and endocrine or ovulation abnormalities.
• Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS): PCOS is a hormonal condition where the ovaries sometimes do not release an egg, meaning ovulation does not take place. It affects up to 13% of women of reproductive age and is the leading cause of infertility. Since symptoms vary between individuals and often do not have a clear trigger, it is estimated that up to 70% of PCOS cases are undiagnosed [12]. Symptoms of PCOS include: 

• • Periods that are absent, intermittent, or unpredictable
  • Periods that are heavy or long
  • Excessive hair growth on the face or body
  • Hair thinning
  • Weight gain
  • Difficulties getting pregnant

Whilst it is still possible to get pregnant with PCOS, it can be more difficult, and taking extra steps such as lifestyle changes, cycle tracking, or medication can maximise your chances of conceiving. 

Can you ovulate without a period?

To understand the relationship between ovulation and your period, we need to talk about the hormones that regulate your menstrual cycle. 

Your period marks the first day of your cycle. Hormones are low at this stage, but estrogen begins to rise in the days ahead, peaking right before ovulation. After ovulation, estrogen levels decrease, while progesterone levels increase. As well as being the culprit behind premenstrual syndrome (PMS), progesterone plays a vital role in pregnancy. If your egg is fertilized, progesterone will help the egg attach to the uterus lining. If your egg is not fertilized and implantation does not occur, progesterone levels drop, and your uterine lining sheds, resulting in your period. 

Often, if you have ruled out the possibility of pregnancy, a missed period can be a sign that ovulation has not occurred. However, this is not always the case, and there are times you may ovulate even when your period has been absent. 

Since ovulation and periods are unpredictable, and ovulation occurs before your period, those with irregular cycles may ovulate before realizing their periods have returned after a time of absence. Similarly, when stress delays ovulation and periods, this may be misinterpreted as a missed period (and missed ovulation) until your period eventually arrives. 

5 ways to improve your chances of getting pregnant with irregular cycles

1. Have regular sex

Pregnancy can only occur when you are in your fertile window, and this is more challenging to predict when you have irregular periods. Having sex more regularly increases your chances of hitting that fertile window and conceiving. It is recommended to aim for unprotected sex every two to three days [13]. However, this may feel unattainable, especially if you have been trying to conceive for a while, and the additional stress can contribute to difficulties getting pregnant. 

Concentrating on connecting with your partner in non-sexual ways can help alleviate the pressure and make regular sex more enjoyable. If you track your cycle and know when you are likely to ovulate, you can also concentrate your efforts to that time, reducing the pressure through the rest of your cycle. It can also help to remember that for each ejaculation, there are hundreds of millions of sperm, and only one is needed to fertilize the egg [14]. 

2. Aim for a healthy lifestyle

Lifestyle changes are among the most accessible ways to increase your chances of getting pregnant. Maintaining a healthy weight, eating a balanced diet, and quitting smoking can help reduce the irregularities of your period and increase your chances of getting pregnant. For example, if you are diagnosed with PCOS, there is some research that shows that weight loss of 5% can alleviate symptoms and reduce the likelihood of long-term health conditions [15]. But you know your body best. Navigating PCOS can be a difficult journey in itself, and reducing pressure and stress is also an important part of the process. 

Stress has a significant impact on fertility and irregular cycles, as well as other aspects of our health. Participate in activities that help you relieve stress, such as a special hobby like crafting, spending time with friends and family, or engaging in mindful practices like meditation. Overall, adopting a balanced, healthy, and low-stress lifestyle can help increase your chances of getting pregnant with irregular periods. 

3. Use ovulation tests

Luteinizing hormone (LH) is a key hormone in regulating the menstrual cycle, and it surges approximately 1-2 days before ovulation [16, 17]. At-home ovulation tests detect the level of LH in your body and can indicate when you are ovulating, eliminating the guesswork when you have irregular cycles and are trying to get pregnant. As ovulation tests only show what is happening on the day you take the test, you may need to take more than one test throughout your cycle, and it is important to note that it is possible to have a surge in LH and not ovulate. 

4. Track your cycle & ovulation

Learning your body’s own rhythm throughout your menstrual cycle can help you know if you are experiencing irregular cycles, and may help you with predicting ovulation and the fertile window. There are several ways to achieve this using fertility-awareness methods. These work to predict the fertile window using common fertility markers. Let’s take a closer look at a few:

The calendar method: This method involves counting to predict the fertile window, but it is not suitable for individuals with irregular cycles, as it relies on the assumption of a typical cycle and ovulation each month. 

The cervical mucus method: It is possible to estimate ovulation by tracking the changes in vaginal discharge throughout your cycle. Around ovulation, cervical mucus is usually clear, thin, and stretchy, resembling egg white [18]. However, there is a large room for error with this method, as cervical mucus quality can be difficult to identify and requires dedicated practice [19]. It can also be affected by several factors, such as vaginitis, sexually transmitted infections, and sexual arousal. 

The Basal body temperature (BBT): BBT is another fertility marker used to track the fertile window. After ovulation, there is a small but significant shift in your temperature due to increased progesterone levels. 

5. Download Natural Cycles

Natural Cycles uses some of the science of fertility awareness-based methods, but pairs these with the latest technology. Measure your temperature overnight with a wearable device, and your data will sync automatically to the Natural Cycles app. The smart algorithm does all the calculations for you, working out where you are in your cycle and whether or not you’ve ovulated yet. Your daily fertility status is easily viewable, and you can even download a Cycle Report showing your cycle length and regularity, and whether or not you’ve experienced any anovulatory cycles. This can be a really helpful way to kickstart a conversation with your healthcare professional, and the app is FDA-cleared to be used as birth control or as fertility support.

Our research shows that, on average, couples who use the app to conceive get pregnant in three cycles [20]. While it may take a little longer if your cycles are irregular, the great news is Natural Cycles works perfectly for you, too, providing valuable insights into your body and predicting when you are likely to ovulate. 

6. Speak to a doctor

It is crucial to identify any medical conditions that may be contributing to your irregular cycles and impacting your ability to get pregnant. If you have been trying to get pregnant for six to 12 months with no success, or are concerned about the relationship between your irregular cycles and pregnancy, speak to your healthcare provider. They can help test for medical conditions and discuss any fertility treatments, such as in vitro fertilization, you may wish to consider. 

Get pregnant faster with Natural Cycles

Balancing the concerns of irregular cycles and pregnancy can be overwhelming, and it can sometimes feel like guesswork trying to predict your fertile window and ovulation. Natural Cycles can help you track and visualize your cycle, even if you have irregular cycles. By inputting your body temperature each day, the NC° Fertility Algorithm does the hard work for you in pinpointing and predicting ovulation and the fertile window. NC° Plan Pregnancy is specifically designed for those looking to get pregnant, providing clear guidance on your fertile window and the option to transition to NC° Follow Pregnancy after conception.