Can irregular periods cause infertility?

They account for around 30% of infertility cases but this doesn’t mean that you will never be able to conceive. It all depends upon the causes of your menstrual irregularities and whether you need to monitor your monthly cycle.

Irregular periods are a sign of problems with ovulation and this is important in terms of choosing the best time to become pregnant. It is important to know when ovulation occurs so that you can plan to have sex at this time. This is because it’s the time when you are most fertile and likely to become pregnant.

But this will only happen if your cycle is regular. If your cycle is irregular then you will be unable to tell when ovulation takes place which reduces your chance of pregnancy. Plus there is also the chance that an egg may not be released because of this irregularity.

Irregular periods are caused by a variety of factors which include:

• Polycystic ovarian syndrome (POS)
• Excessive stress
• Underweight or overweight
• Eating disorder such as anorexia
• Excessive exercise and low body fat levels
• Anovulation (no eggs are released)
• Oligovulation (eggs are released infrequently)

Consult your GP if you are experiencing any of the above. He or she can refer you for tests which include checking for thyroid problems or diabetes.

Female Infertility Guide Index:

• What are the causes of infertility in women?
• Can taking the pill cause infertility?
• What is Endometriosis?
• What is Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (POS)?
• What is Pelvic Inflammatory Disease?

• What are Fibroids?
• Does a blocked fallopian tube mean that I am permanently infertile?
• I am 39 and finding it difficult to conceive, why is this?
• Can irregular periods cause infertility?
• What can go wrong with ovulation?