Fertility and Menstrual Cycle
Fertility and Menstrual Cycle

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Fertility and Menstrual Cycle

Fertility and Menstrual Cycle

Most women are likely to suffer from irregularities with both fertility and menstrual cycle at some point during their lives. A woman’s daily routine can be significantly disturbed by problems with fertility and menstrual cycle and such problems must be treated accordingly. Thus, it’s worth taking the time to read the article below which provides lots of information about fertility and menstrual cycle during menopause.

Fertility and menstrual cycle explained

irregular periods fertilityEach woman has her own individual menstruation pattern, yet no woman is completely regular. The time between periods varies from 23 to 35 days, but periods are classed as regular if they occur at roughly the same time each month. At a certain age, the frequency of periods starts fluctuating considerably, making them extremely difficult and sometimes impossible to keep track of.

Menopause brings about many changes to fertility and menstrual cycle before periods come to a complete stop. A woman’s period may become more regular or further apart. It’s also possible that she may skip a period or experience spotting before or after during her cycle.

Problems with fertility and menstrual cycle are also known as irregular periods. Irregular periods mean that women do not properly develop and release a mature egg every month as they should. Due to the fact that women respond differently to such irregularities, problems with fertility and menstrual cycle come in various different forms. Read on to find out more about these.

Problems with fertility and menstrual cycle: understanding irregular periods

Irregular periods that affect frequency of menstruation

Polymenorrhea: frequent periods (with intervals of 21 days or less).

Oligomenorrhea: infrequent or short menstrual periods. Frequency exceeds 35 days in between menstruation, and less than 3 days during it.

Amenorrhea: absence of periods for more than 60 days in a woman of reproductive age. Usually occurs during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Irregular periods that produce pain during menstruation

Dysmenorrhea, cramps or painful menstruation, involves menstrual periods that are accompanied by either sharp, intermittent pain or dull, aching pain, usually in the pelvis or lower abdomen.

Irregular periods that affect quantity of menstruation

Hypomenorrhea: A diminution of the flow or a shortening of the duration of menstruation.

Menorrhagia is an abnormally heavy and prolonged menstrual period. It may be associated with abnormally painful periods (dysmenorrhoea).

The causes of such fertility and menstrual cycle disorders can be divided into two categories; psychological and physical. Psychological problems aren’t as common as physical and it’s generally accepted that physical causes are responsible for irregularities with fertility and menstrual cycle.

Psychological causes for irregular fertility and menstrual cycle: Anxiety and other forms of emotional daily stress, overdoing things and fatigue can all lead to problems with fertility and menstrual cycle. If these factors are not controlled, they could make a woman emotionally unstable and result in body functioning imbalance, prompting irregular fertility and menstrual cycle. Either way, bear in mind that physical causes of these are much more frequent.

irregular periods cyclePhysical causes for irregular menstrual cycles and fertility: Hormones like estrogen and progesterone have a definite effect on menstruation because they regulate ovulation during the menstrual cycle. Without a balanced level of these hormones, women are unable to properly ovulate producing abnormal (anovulatory) menstruation that will lead to fertility and menstrual cycle problems. This is why maintaining healthy hormone levels is important in avoiding or controlling irregular fertility and menstrual cycle.

You can click on one of the links in the article below to learn more about the treatment for irregular menstrual cycles and fertility that best suits you.

Other Related Articles:
Menstrual Disorders
Menstrual Disorder and Acupuncture
Menstrual Cycle Problems and Regulation
Long Menstrual Cycles
Irregular periods for years

Sources:
  • Hutchinson, Susan M.D. "The Stages of a Woman's Life: Menstruation, Pregnancy, Nursing, Perimenopause, Menopause." November 2007.
  • Love, Susan M.D. Menopause and Hormone Book. New York: Three Rivers Press, 2003.
  • BMJ Group. "Menopause: What is it?" Patient Leaflet. 2007.