How to conceive when you have irregular periods

One of the major concerns for women who suffer with irregular periods is that they won’t be able to get pregnant. Fortunately, although conception can be more difficult when you have irregular periods, it isn’t impossible. What is needed, though, is knowledge about how to make conception more likely.

To become pregnant, an egg that leaves the ovaries must meet a sperm travelling down the fallopian tube and be fertilized. Having irregular periods doesn’t usually mean that you don’t ovulate; it simply means that knowing when you ovulate and knowing when to have sex is more difficult to judge. So, you can get pregnant, but what can you do to make conception more probable? Read on to find out more.

How to make pregnancy more likely

Irregular periods can be extremely troublesome, particularly when you are trying to get pregnant. However, unless you have other underlying conditions, pregnancy is possible. You have to chart your menstrual cycle and establish when your fertility window is. Most women have a fertility window of five to seven days but if you have irregular periods then your fertility window might be significantly shorter. Read on to find out how you can determine when that window is approaching:

Have plenty of sexual intercourse

Try to have sex every few days if you don’t know when you are ovulating. This will highly increase the likelihood of your egg being fertilized when ovulation does occur because there will be a constant supply of sperm in the reproductive tract.

Use a basal thermometer

Take your temperature every morning with a basal thermometer, which can detect slight changes in temperature. This requires you to keep track of your temperature every day and should be done for two or three months prior to estimating your fertility period. Before ovulation your temperature will be fairly consistent, but just before ovulation there will be a drop in your temperature. Have sex once you notice this increase. Pregnancy is less likely three days after the temperature rise.

Use ovulation prediction tests

These ovulation tests require you do a urine sample and use a strip to gain a negative or positive result. The test detects hormonal surges and a positive result usually means that ovulation is imminent. It is important you have sexual intercourse on the same day you receive a positive result.

Recommendation

Try the methods that are listed above, and if you still can’t get pregnant then visit your doctor who can advise on alternative methods including a fertility monitor. Your doctor will also be able to determine whether your irregular periods, and inability to conceive if this is the case, are a result of a health issue. To find out more about the causes of irregular periods, and the treatment options, follow this link.