What is the impact of irregular periods on ovulation?

Irregular periods are a result of ovulation dysfunction, rather than the reason for it. If you’re experiencing one or two periods a year that come early or late, that’s no big deal. But many women experience chronic irregularity when it comes to their menstrual cycle, which can be particularly frustrating when trying to conceive.

If you have irregular periods, it is important to see a doctor because they could be a sign of an underlying condition.

What’s the link between ovulation and irregular periods?

Two types of abnormal ovulation patterns exist. Read on to find out what they are and how you can treat them.

Anovulation is the absence of ovulation. If you’ve noticed some ovulation, but it is extremely irregular, you are experiencing oligovulation. Both patterns in ovulation can cause irregular periods. When ovulation is disrupted, you are not releasing an egg or producing sufficient amounts of progesterone. Since progesterone is a hormone that plays a large role in regulating your menstrual cycle, you’ll more than likely experience irregular periods.

How does this affect my chances of getting pregnant?

There are several reasons that conceiving may be a challenge for you.

• Anovulation means that there isn’t an egg to fertilize.

• Oligovulation means that you ovulate less often, giving you fewer opportunities to get pregnant.

• Both of these conditions can make it difficult to predict when you’ll be ovulating.

• Irregular ovulation may release eggs in poor shape, which also reduces the chance of a successful conception.

• Ovulation, in addition to releasing an egg, times the release of certain hormones that aid in the process of conception. When you ovulate irregularly, these hormones may get off track.

Despite the mounting disadvantages, it is not impossible for women with irregular periods to get pregnant. The first step would be consulting a healthcare professional to diagnose the reason for your irregular periods and irregular ovulation.

What are the possible reasons for irregular ovulation?

Anovulation or oligovulation can be caused by numerous conditions, such as an extremely low or high body weight, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), thyroid problems, or premature ovarian failure. This is in no way an exhaustive list of the conditions that can lead to irregular ovulation and irregular periods.

More information about irregular periods and ovulation

The good news is that many causes of irregular periods and abnormal ovulation can be solved with simple lifestyle changes. For those conditions that cannot be treated with lifestyle changes, your doctor can help you navigate the treatment options.