TYPES OF MENSTRUAL CYCLES
Period starts (aka menses)
Follicular phase; FSH (follicle-stimulating hormone) and estrogen released, ovulation* begins
Day 2-14
Day 1
Day 15-28Luteal phase; progesterone** released, uterine lining matures
*ovulation: the process of an ovum (egg) being released from the ovary; occurs 10-14 days before menses. **progesterone: a steroid hormone that tells the uterus to prepare for pregnancy
Long = > 35 days
Hormonal imbalance
Ovaries with fewer eggs
Approach of menopause
Reduced fertility4
May be a sign of: May be a sign of:Hormonal imbalance
Lack of ovulation
Other fertility issues
Increased risk of miscarriage
HEAVY BLEEDING
Must change pad/tampon every
1 to 3 hours
Your menstrual cycle provides valuable clues about your body’s reproductive health. Here are some red flags to look for.
SIGNS TO WATCH FOR
“Red flags” and early warning signs mentioned above
Abnormal periods
Heavy or prolonged bleeding
Irregular menstrual cycle
More than 3 months between periods
Under 35 and trying for more than 1 year to get pregnant
Age 35 to 39 and trying for 6 months or longer to get pregnant
Age 40 or older and trying for 3 months to get pregnant
If you are trying to conceive, consult with a fertility specialist if you’re experiencing any of these warning signs:
Understand your menstrual cycle and understand your fertility.
WHAT TO DO
Sources
1"Endometriosis." Womenshealth.gov. February 13, 2017. Accessed March 01, 2017. https://www.womenshealth.gov/a-z-topics/endometriosis.
2"Polycystic ovary syndrome." Office on Women's Health. Accessed March 01, 2017. https://www.womenshealth.gov/publications/our-publications/fact-sheet/polycystic-ovary-syndrome.html#a.
3"Infertility FAQs." Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. February 16, 2017. Accessed March 01, 2017. https://www.cdc.gov/reproductivehealth/infertility.
4Wise, Lauren A., Ellen M. Mikkelsen, Kenneth J. Rothman, Anders H. Riis, Henrik Toft Sørensen, Krista F. Huybrechts, and Elizabeth E. Hatch. "A Prospective Cohort Study of Menstrual Characteristics and Time to Pregnancy." American Journal of Epidemiology. June 30,
2011. Accessed March 01, 2017. https://academic.oup.com/aje/article/174/6/701/88882/A-Prospective-Cohort-Study-of-Menstrual
either short, long or inconsistent.
30% of women have an “irregular” cycle
IS MY PERIOD NORMAL? Understanding Your Menstrual Cycle If You’re Trying to Conceive
Normal = 21 to 35 days
30% of women are fertile only during
the “normal” fertility window—between
days 10 and 17 of the menstrual cycle.
Only 15% of women have the “perfect” 28-day cycle.
Give or take a few days, a normal cycle looks like this:
WHAT’S NORMAL?
1 23
4
282726
255
6
7
8
9
1011
1214 13
24
23
22
21
20
1918
1716 15
Short = < 21 days
Hormonal imbalancesFibroids or polypsEndometriosisBleeding disorders
Could result in:
AnemiaDifficulty getting pregnantIncreased risk of miscarriage
More than 7 days
PROLONGED BLEEDING
Low BMI (body mass index)
Get educated about what’s normal vs. abnormal. Knowledge can save you time and heartache if you’re struggling to conceive.
Could result in:
Iron-deficiency anemiaDifficulty getting pregnantIncreased risk of miscarriage
Irregular ovulationDisruptions to the uterineliningProblems forming blood clots
NEVER HAVING A PERIOD
Ovulation isn’t happening
Underdeveloped uterus or vaginaScar tissue inside the uterus
Premature menopause
Difficulty getting pregnant without intervention
IRREGULAR CYCLE
Could mean:
Could mean:
Could result in:Could mean:
Could result in:
Problems with ovulation Difficulty getting pregnantIncreased risk of miscarriage
Thyroid gland irregularities
Elevated hormone levels, such as prolactin and androgens
PCOS
Diminished ovarian reserve
Ovarian insufficiencyEarly signs of menopause
Could mean:
Fortunately, your menstrual cycle can tell you a lot about your fertility if you know what to look for.
More than
95% of U.S. women start
their periods by age 16.
70% of women have
irregular menstrual cycles as menopause
approaches.
11% or more of
American women suffer from
endometriosis.1
10% of U.S. women are affected by PCOS (polycystic ovary
syndrome).2
12% of women have
trouble getting or staying pregnant.3
At least
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