How do you know if your pregnant with irregular periods

Not all women’s periods operate like clockwork. Some women have their periods right on schedule every 28 days, while other women’s periods are irregular and unpredictable.

An irregular period can be frustrating for anyone, but what about if you’re trying to get pregnant? It can be upsetting if you’re trying to conceive and are having difficulties.

There are a number of factors that affect a woman’s ability to become pregnant and one of those is irregularity in your periods. Here’s everything you need to know about the link between irregular periods and pregnancy.

What are considered irregular periods?

Just like no two people are alike, women’s menstrual cycles aren’t alike either. However, there are standard parameters of what’s considered “normal” versus irregular.

“A ‘normal’ cycle is anywhere between 21 to 35 days with consistently not more than a two to three day variance from cycle to cycle,” said Emilee Sandsmark, MD, an OBGYN at Banner Health Clinic in Loveland, CO. “Any cycle that occurs more or less frequently than this is considered abnormal, as is a woman who experiences cycles that are 24 days, then 29 days, then 34, etc.”

If your period is occurring more frequently than 21 days (polymenorrhea), this is considered abnormal. If it occurs less frequently than every 35 days (oligomenorrhea), this is also considered abnormal.

What causes irregular periods?

There are a number of things that can affect your period—from stress to weight fluctuations to medications and medical conditions like polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) or thyroid issues.

But in general, irregular ovulation is what causes irregular menstrual cycles, Dr. Sandsmark said. It’s a common misconception that irregular periods cause irregular ovulation, as it is typically the other way around.

“Hormones released by the hypothalamus and pituitary gland (both in the brain) and the ovary are the messengers that regulate monthly cycles,” Dr. Sandsmark said. “There can be a number of abnormalities at any of these steps that can cause irregular ovulation and abnormal periods.”

If you’re experiencing irregular periods, it’s best to talk to your health care provider about ways to treat the underlying issues to allow for more predictable ovulation and more regular periods.

Can I get pregnant with an irregular period?

“Yes, because women with irregular periods can still ovulate, however, the timing of ovulation may be harder to predict,” Dr. Sandsmark said.

Sometimes making lifestyle changes can regulate previously erratic periods and help you conceive. Some women, however, may require the use of other treatment options.

Here are some general guidelines when it comes to conception and medical evaluations:

• If you’re younger than 35 years old and have been having unprotected sex for 12 months with no success
• If you’re over the age of 35 and have been having unprotected sex for 6 months or more
• If you’re 40 years old or older

[Also read “Diagnosing Fertility: Common Tests on the Pathway to Pregnancy”]

What can I do to determine if I’m ovulating?

While one of the biggest indicators of ovulation is a regular menstrual cycle, there are electronic apps and ovulation predictor kits you can purchase. But be mindful, Dr. Sandsmark said, as “some of these tools can vary in quality and data on their usefulness are limited.”

Another issue is that unless you have regular cycles, both the apps and predictor kits can be more challenging to use. So those who may need them the most (i.e., you), might have the most difficulty using them.

The most accurate and helpful tool is bloodwork. “Bloodwork ordered by your physician done on specific days of your menstrual cycle can help determine the best options for trying to conceive,” Dr. Sandsmark said.

Takeaway

Irregular ovulation can lead to irregular periods. Irregular ovulation doesn’t mean you can’t get pregnant, but it can make your ability to conceive a little harder. Seek professional and medical help to regulate your menstrual cycle and better determine when you ovulate each month.

To find a Banner Health specialist near you, visit bannerhealth.com.

Related Articles:

• 11 Infertility Myths and the Facts Behind Them
• Planning for Pregnancy: Your Pre-Pregnancy Checklist
• PMS or Pregnant? How You Can Tell the Difference
• Can My Partner and I Get Pregnant? Reversing a Vasectomy or Tubal Ligation

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Most women know that one of the first signs of pregnancy is a missed period; however, if you have irregular periods, it may be difficult to know when a period is missed. Learn to look for other signs of pregnancy that can signal the need to consult a medical professional or home pregnancy test.

1. 

   1

   Look out for implantation bleeding. Spotting or light bleeding six to 12 days after your last period could indicate a fertilized egg has embedded itself into your uterine wall.[1]

   • Some women may feel cramping, as if they're about to get their period.
   • The spotting can be mistaken for a light period, particularly if you have irregular periods.

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   2

   Pay attention to sore breasts. Swollen and tender breast tissue is a sign that hormones are changing in your body. They can begin one to two weeks after conception. Your breasts might start to feel heavier, or fuller.[2]

   • If you frequently have tender breasts, move on to other symptoms to determine if pregnancy is likely.
   • Some women may even increase in bra size within a few weeks of getting pregnant. If this is the case, you may be pregnant.
   • Your areolas may also start to darken. This change is also caused by hormones from pregnancy.[3]

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3. 

   3

   Note feelings of fatigue. As your body adjusts to pregnancy, women usually start to feel tired and sluggish. This can occur as early as the week of conception.[4]

   • Fatigue is a result of increased progesterone, which makes you sleepy.
   • If there’s a chance you’re pregnant, avoid treating fatigue with caffeine. Caffeine isn't proven to be harmful at this early stage but if consumed in excess it can increase the chance of miscarriage. The exact amount is not known, but 200 mg is generally considered the cutoff.

4. 

   4

   Wait for feelings of nausea. Morning sickness can start at about two weeks after conception and continue until eight weeks after conception. If you start to feel regular nausea, it is time to take an at-home pregnancy test.[5]

   • Nausea may also accompany food aversions. Some of your favorite foods may make you feel ill while you are pregnant.
   • Nausea may not always be accompanied by vomiting.
   • You may notice an increased sensitivity to smells. Even smells you may once have enjoyed may now trigger nausea.

5. 

   5

   Notice food cravings or aversions. Even in early pregnancy, hormones alter your desire for particular foods. You may crave strange combinations of foods that you've never desired before. Your formerly favorite foods may cause nausea.[6]

   • You might notice a metallic taste in your mouth. This is normal in early pregnancy.
   • Many women report feeling disgusted by the smell of coffee when they're pregnant, even if they were heavy coffee drinkers before the pregnancy. If you find yourself nauseated by the smell of coffee, this may be a sign of pregnancy.

6. 

   6

   Watch for headaches, backaches and frequent urination. These are characteristic signs of early pregnancy. They are caused by a combination of pregnancy hormones, a larger amount of blood in your system, and kidney function.[7]

   • It's okay to take some over-the-counter pain medication such as acetaminophen to help relieve pain from headaches and backaches. While ibuprofen is generally considered safe in early pregnancy, few physicians will recommend its use unless you are being closely monitored.
   • Instead of medication, consider treating aches with home remedies such as a warm bath, using a heating pad, getting a massage, etc.

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1. 

   1

   Determine if you have two or more of the early signs of pregnancy. If you do, take an at-home pregnancy test. With most tests, you'll place the end of a dipstick into a small container of your urine, or move a testing stick into your urine flow. Within a few minutes, the dipstick should indicate results by changing colors, showing the words "pregnant" or "not pregnant" on the stick, or symbols.[8]

   • Most pregnancy tests will not be reliably accurate until the fifth week of pregnancy.
   • Instructions for home pregnancy tests vary. Follow the directions on the test you choose.
   • Home pregnancy tests check for the presence of the hormone human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) which accompanies pregnancy.

2. 

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   Repeat the test in a week or opt to go to the doctor for a test. Although at-home pregnancy tests rarely give false positives, they can give false negatives if it is early in the pregnancy. If you feel you are within a week or two of implantation, you should test twice.[9]

   • Take the home pregnancy test first thing in the morning when your urine is concentrated. Drinking too much fluid before taking a home pregnancy test can result in a false negative.
   • A false positive result can occur in cases where hormonal changes with menopause are occurring or if you are receiving HcG injections as part of infertility treatment.

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   Make an appointment. If you are consistently getting positive results in a home pregnancy test, or your symptoms of pregnancy persist despite getting negative results, call your gynecologist or family doctor. Blood tests that doctors perform can pick up on pregnancy quicker than at-home urine tests.[10]

   • The sooner your pregnancy is confirmed, the sooner you can learn about options. Your healthcare provider can discuss options for your pregnancy with you.
   • If you plan to continue your pregnancy, your healthcare provider can help you with prenatal care.

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References

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• Question

  Having unprotected sex for a month and have an irregular period, but now am showing signs of pregnancy. How do I know when to take a test?

  

  Dr. Noriega is a Board Certified Obstetrician & Gynecologist and medical writer in Colorado. She specializes in women’s health, rheumatology, pulmonology, infectious disease, and gastroenterology. She received her MD from the Creighton School of Medicine in Omaha, Nebraska and completed her residency at the University of Missouri - Kansas City in 2005.

  

  Board Certified Obstetrician & Gynecologist

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• Other signs of pregnancy include mood changes, heartburn, constipation, and bloating.

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• Watch for signs of preeclampsia. Preeclampsia is a serious medical condition of pregnancy. High blood pressure is one of the primary indicators of preeclampsia, along with vision changes and sudden weight gain.[11]

  As a small thank you, we’d like to offer you a $30 gift card (valid at GoNift.com). Use it to try out great new products and services nationwide without paying full price—wine, food delivery, clothing and more. Enjoy!

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Article SummaryX

If you’re having irregular periods, you can tell if you’re pregnant by watching out for any spotting 6-12 days after your last period, which is a common sign of fertilization. You should also look out for sore breasts, cramps, nausea, fatigue, or headaches 1-2 weeks after you last had sex. Another common sign of pregnancy is cravings or aversions to particular foods. If you have 2 or more of these early pregnancy signs, take a pregnancy test to make sure. Because home testing kits aren’t always accurate, you should also repeat the test a week later. If you get 2 positive results from your home pregnancy test, schedule a visit with your doctor to discuss your pregnancy. For more tips from our Medical co-author, including how to use a home pregnancy test, read on!

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