Irregular menstrual pattern could be infertility sign. Here's when a woman with irregular periods should consult doctor

One’s average menstrual cycle will last for 28 days, although it's okay for it to be a bit shorter or longer than this but this should not happen every month or it can be worrisome as it could be a sign of infertility. Here's when a woman with irregular periods should consult a doctor

Do you have irregular periods? Then, it will be difficult for you to know about ovulation, recognise signs of fertility and time intercourse accordingly. There can be unexpected or unusual bleeding seen due to an underlying condition, such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), which can take a toll on one’s fertility and be the causes behind irregular periods.

There are a majority of women who have irregular periods so, when you have irregular periods, the length of the menstrual cycle keeps changing. You may get periods early or even late and one’s average menstrual cycle will last for 28 days, although it's okay for it to be a bit shorter or longer than this but this should not happen every month as then it can be worrisome.

The irregular cycle is shorter than 21 days or longer than 35 days moreover, those women with very long cycles fail to ovulate and it is known as anovulatory cycles. In an interview with HT Lifestyle, Dr Unnati Mamtora, IVF Specialist at Mira Road's Nova IVF, helped decode the link between irregular periods and fertility.

She shared, “Irregular periods are a matter of concern for a large number of women. If one has irregular periods then it will not be easy to predict ovulation, know about the signs of fertility, and time the sex accordingly. The causes of irregular periods can be menopause (usually between the ages of 45 and 50), early pregnancy, hormonal contraception, weight loss or weight gain, stress, and medical conditions taken to manage polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), or thyroid problems. Having irregular periods can steal one’s peace of mind and the woman will not be able to focus on her daily routine.”

Talking about when should a woman with irregular periods consult a doctor, Dr Unnati Mamtora suggested, “Speak to the doctor on an immediate basis when you are below 40 and your menses become irregular which means sometimes periods come early and sometimes late. The periods tend to last for over 7 days, or you are struggling to conceive due to irregular menstruation. The period symptoms and pain will differ from one woman to another. Women experience periods differently. When a woman has red flags during periods like no bleeding, or heavy bleeding then that can be a sign of any underlying problem that needs a thorough evaluation.”

Linking irregular periods and pregnancy, she pointed out, “There can be unexpected or unusual bleeding seen due to underlying conditions such as polycystic ovary syndrome ( PCOS), underlying thyroid problems, and fibroids, which can take a toll on one’s fertility. One with irregular periods will find it difficult to achieve pregnancy as she may not ovulate (release an egg) regularly. One will need fertility treatment if she is struggling to conceive naturally. In Vitro Fertilisation can be a good option. So, consult a fertility expert who can help you to educate you regarding this. You need to follow the instructions given by the fertility consultant once you begin the treatment.”