Getting A Big Fat Positive With Irregular Periods
Basic health classes in school would have most people believe that the human female menstrual cycle is 28 days long. The reality is that 28 is an average and not entirely accurate. Some women may have cycles as short as 21 days, whereas other individuals may have as many as 35 days. When a woman’s cycle is outside of that average range, the situation is referred to as an irregular period. While not impossible, natural conception can be more difficult with such a diagnosis.
Accurately tracking ovulation
One of the reasons irregular periods are so tricky is that not having an average day range for a menstrual cycle makes tracking ovulation significantly more difficult. Still, women can rely on a variety of indicators to accurately pinpoint a fertile window. Common options include checking basal body temperature, relying on physical indicators like changes in discharge, and using an ovulation test or fertility monitor. Of the above, ovulation tests and fertility monitors tend to be the most accurate and offer the best conception odds, even for a person with an irregular period.
Irregular periods and fertility treatments
Having an irregular period doesn't automatically mean that a woman needs to rely on fertility treatments to get pregnant. However, if underlying conditions like polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) or even endometriosis are present, then getting pregnant can be significantly harder. Both conditions can directly impact ovulation, which determines whether an egg is released. In these scenarios, treatments like in vitro fertilization (IVF) or intrauterine insemination (IUI) may be just the workaround required to achieve a positive pregnancy test result.
IVF and irregular periods
In an IVF procedure, a woman undergoes ovarian stimulation to release multiple eggs simultaneously. The eggs are harvested, and one is then fertilized outside the body with either a partner's sperm or the donor's sperm. Once fertilized, the embryo is transferred to a woman's uterus with the hope of implantation. If successful, a pregnancy will proceed, ideally to term.
IVF vs. IUI
IUI is a fertility treatment but is very different from IVF. With IUI, sperm is placed directly inside the uterus during ovulation. The egg never leaves a woman's body. Whether donated by a third party or a sample is provided by the partner, the sperm is still washed and concentrated. Ovulation stimulation medications typically aren't used, and the procedure is considered noninvasive. IUI is ideal when male partners might have underlying issues with the sperm. The process bypasses sperm traveling through the vagina and cervix, which can improve conception odds.
Which option is best?
IUI is usually a cheaper option over IVF since hormone stimulation drugs aren't needed, and fertilization occurs in utero. However, the right option will depend on the specific issues facing a woman or couple. A person who can track ovulation effectively may feel that IUI is best. Meanwhile, a person with PCOS or endometriosis may find that the added egg harvesting, and lab-based fertilization steps of IVF may yield better results. Ultimately, women struggling with irregular periods should speak with a fertility specialist to determine the right course of action.
