Some people have a menstrual cycle you could set your clock by. Every 28 days they know, without a doubt, it’s period time. Others have a vaguer notion of when to buy tampons. It might be four weeks or it might be five weeks. Both of those people experience a “normal” menstrual cycle. But what exactly is a normal menstrual cycle and what does it mean for your fertility? Let’s find out.
One of the most common questions you’re asked at a gynecological appointment is “what was the first day of your last period?” And as routine as the question seems, your answer helps your doctor understand what’s going on in your body and even provide insight into your fertility. Your doctor discerns ovulatory issues and hormonal imbalances by assessing your menstrual cycle and this information is and instrumental bit of data that may help greatly in treating your infertility or even simply coordinating the best date to attempt conception.
Just What is A Menstrual Cycle
Ok, so you’ve been having your period since you were in middle school and you know what it’s all about right? Then consider this a refresher.
The menstrual cycle results from a series of hormonal changes that your body goes through each month in preparation for pregnancy. Within the cycle you ovulate, releasing an egg awaiting fertilization. Meanwhile, your uterus prepares to receive the fertilized egg by growing the lining where the egg implants.
The first day of your period is day one of your cycle. At this point your brain begins releasing a hormone that stimulates egg maturation. The hormone, FSH (follicle stimulating hormone) readies the most dominant follicle and causes the development of a single egg. As the egg develops, the follicle begins releasing estrogen which causes a natural development and thickening of your uterine lining.
Once the egg matures fully the follicle releases and ovulation occurs. Typically, but not always, ovulation occurs midway between the onset of your cycles or your periods. Upon ovulation your ovary releases progesterone which prepares the uterine lining by making it receptive to implantation of a fertilized egg. If no egg implants, meaning pregnancy doesn’t occur, the progesterone level diminishes and the lining begins to shed and bleed and the menstrual cycle begins again.
The Length of Your Menstrual Cycle
You determine the length of your cycle by measuring the number of days between the onset of one period until the onset of another. When you are not on any form of hormonal birth control, the length of your cycle provides insight into whether or not ovulation occurs predictably and whether or not you may suffer from a hormonal imbalance.
This information is vital to fertility. Pregnancy cannot occur without ovulation, and hormonal imbalances also affect your ability to conceive as any imbalance impacts the receptivity of your uterine lining. Here are examples of common menstrual cycles.
Normal Menstrual Cycle
- Duration: 24-35 days
- Regular, normal cycles indicate ovulation most likely occurs
- Normal length cycles are indicative of balanced hormones and regular ovulation, both of which support fertility and conception.
Shortened Menstrual Cycle
- Duration is less than 23 days
- Shorter cycles indicate ovulation occurs earlier than normal or, perhaps, not at all.
- Short cycles may indicate a low ovarian reserve (number of eggs) and is not unusual in the period leading up to menopause. Short cycles also could be a sign that ovulation isn’t happening at all.
As mentioned above, shorter cycles are common as you near menopause. You are born with all of the eggs you will ever have and as their numbers diminish conception becomes more difficult. If age isn’t the issue, a shorter cycle may indicate an imbalance in hormones which interferes with ovulation.
Longer Menstrual Cycle
- Lasts more than 35 days between periods
- This indicates ovulation is not occurring or is irregular and unpredictable.
- A lack of regular ovulation typically causes longer cycles. Remember it’s when the progesterone level drops after the egg remains unfertilized; that causes the lining of your uterus to shed and bleed. When ovulation fails, your ovary isn’t producing post-ovulation progesterone which delays your period. Because the release of estrogen continues, the lining continues to build, eventually shedding and causing painful, prolonged periods.
Doctors refer to prolonged periods as oligo-ovulation and disrupt fertility. In fact, along with anovulation or the absence of ovulation, oligo-ovulation is one of the most common causes of infertility. PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome) is the most common culprit behind a longer menstrual cycle.
When Your Period Lasts Longer than 5-7 Days
Most normal menstrual periods last from three to seven days. If you bleed beyond that time could indicate an issue with your hormonal balance or an issue with ovulation. Longer bleeding is also an indicator of disruptions to your uterine tissue such as polyps, fibroids or even cancer. If your periods last longer than a week on any consistent basis please alert your doctor.
When You Don’t Have a Period
There are many reasons for an interruption in or the absence of your period. After ruling out pregnancy your doctor may uncover an autoimmune disorder, chronic medical condition or many other reasons, including:
- Sudden or drastic weight loss
- Unhealthy BMI
- Stress
- Working out too hard for too long, doing extreme exercise
- Early onset menopause
- PCOS
Some people have a menstrual cycle you could set your clock by. Every 28 days they know, without a doubt, it’s period time. Others have a vaguer notion of when to buy tampons. It might be four weeks or it might be five weeks. Both of those people experience a “normal” menstrual cycle. But what exactly is a normal menstrual cycle and what does it mean for your fertility? Let’s find out.
One of the most common questions you’re asked at a gynecological appointment is “what was the first day of your last period?” And as routine as the question seems, your answer helps your doctor understand what’s going on in your body and even provide insight into your fertility. Your doctor discerns ovulatory issues and hormonal imbalances by assessing your menstrual cycle and this information is and instrumental bit of data that may help greatly in treating your infertility or even simply coordinating the best date to attempt conception.
Just What is A Menstrual Cycle
Ok, so you’ve been having your period since you were in middle school and you know what it’s all about right? Then consider this a refresher.
The menstrual cycle results from a series of hormonal changes that your body goes through each month in preparation for pregnancy. Within the cycle you ovulate, releasing an egg awaiting fertilization. Meanwhile, your uterus prepares to receive the fertilized egg by growing the lining where the egg implants.
The first day of your period is day one of your cycle. At this point your brain begins releasing a hormone that stimulates egg maturation. The hormone, FSH (follicle stimulating hormone) readies the most dominant follicle and causes the development of a single egg. As the egg develops, the follicle begins releasing estrogen which causes a natural development and thickening of your uterine lining.
Once the egg matures fully the follicle releases and ovulation occurs. Typically, but not always, ovulation occurs midway between the onset of your cycles or your periods. Upon ovulation your ovary releases progesterone which prepares the uterine lining by making it receptive to implantation of a fertilized egg. If no egg implants, meaning pregnancy doesn’t occur, the progesterone level diminishes and the lining begins to shed and bleed and the menstrual cycle begins again.
The Length of Your Menstrual Cycle
You determine the length of your cycle by measuring the number of days between the onset of one period until the onset of another. When you are not on any form of hormonal birth control, the length of your cycle provides insight into whether or not ovulation occurs predictably and whether or not you may suffer from a hormonal imbalance.
This information is vital to fertility. Pregnancy cannot occur without ovulation, and hormonal imbalances also affect your ability to conceive as any imbalance impacts the receptivity of your uterine lining. Here are examples of common menstrual cycles.
Normal Menstrual Cycle
- Duration: 24-35 days
- Regular, normal cycles indicate ovulation most likely occurs
- Normal length cycles are indicative of balanced hormones and regular ovulation, both of which support fertility and conception.
Shortened Menstrual Cycle
- Duration is less than 23 days
- Shorter cycles indicate ovulation occurs earlier than normal or, perhaps, not at all.
- Short cycles may indicate a low ovarian reserve (number of eggs) and is not unusual in the period leading up to menopause. Short cycles also could be a sign that ovulation isn’t happening at all.
As mentioned above, shorter cycles are common as you near menopause. You are born with all of the eggs you will ever have and as their numbers diminish conception becomes more difficult. If age isn’t the issue, a shorter cycle may indicate an imbalance in hormones which interferes with ovulation.
Longer Menstrual Cycle
- Lasts more than 35 days between periods
- This indicates ovulation is not occurring or is irregular and unpredictable.
- A lack of regular ovulation typically causes longer cycles. Remember it’s when the progesterone level drops after the egg remains unfertilized; that causes the lining of your uterus to shed and bleed. When ovulation fails, your ovary isn’t producing post-ovulation progesterone which delays your period. Because the release of estrogen continues, the lining continues to build, eventually shedding and causing painful, prolonged periods.
Doctors refer to prolonged periods as oligo-ovulation and disrupt fertility. In fact, along with anovulation or the absence of ovulation, oligo-ovulation is one of the most common causes of infertility. PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome) is the most common culprit behind a longer menstrual cycle.
When Your Period Lasts Longer than 5-7 Days
Most normal menstrual periods last from three to seven days. If you bleed beyond that time could indicate an issue with your hormonal balance or an issue with ovulation. Longer bleeding is also an indicator of disruptions to your uterine tissue such as polyps, fibroids or even cancer. If your periods last longer than a week on any consistent basis please alert your doctor.
When You Don’t Have a Period
There are many reasons for an interruption in or the absence of your period. After ruling out pregnancy your doctor may uncover an autoimmune disorder, chronic medical condition or many other reasons, including:
- Sudden or drastic weight loss
- Unhealthy BMI
- Stress
- Working out too hard for too long, doing extreme exercise
- Early onset menopause
- PCOS
You may experience no other symptoms besides the absence of your period or very irregular periods. Always consult your doctor if you stop having regular periods for any reason.
We Have the Answers
If you struggle with having a “normal” menstrual cycle or suspect infertility please contact LA IVF. We are a skilled and compassionate team dedicated to working with you and your partner in achieving your goal of growing your family.
