Are Periods Linked to Fertility? How They Affect Pregnancy Chances

Your menstrual cycle is also more than just an indication of a healthy reproductive system, it’s intimately connected to your fertility. Knowing the relationship between menstruation and fertility will serve you well if you want to get pregnant. In this blog, we delve into how the menstrual cycle functions, when you are most fertile, and the steps you can take to maximise your chances of conceiving. We will also be answering such frequently asked questions as are painful periods a sign of fertility, how fertile are you right after a period, and ‪early pregnancy symptom before missed period.

The Menstrual Cycle And Fertility Explained

The menstrual cycle has everything to do with your fertility! By understanding its different phases, you can determine when you’re most fertile, which can help you plan, or avoid, pregnancy. On average, a menstrual cycle is about 28 days long but can range from person to person. If you consider the cycle and its phases in more detail, it is easier to understand the menstrual cycle, fertility and how it affects your chances of becoming pregnant.

How Periods Relate to Fertility

A woman’s menstrual cycle is often viewed as a nuisance, but it can provide you with a wealth of information about what’s going on in your body. Your menstrual cycle is a reminder that you are not pregnant and your body is getting ready for the next cycle. But it is also part of the larger process of fertility. Here’s how each phase affects your fertility:

1. Menstrual Phase (Days 1-5)

That’s the day you start getting your period, which means your body is expelling its uterine lining. Your body isn’t able to become pregnant at this time, because there is no egg released for fertilisation. Even if having your period feels like you’re infertile, it’s still important to remember that sperm can live in the reproductive system for five days. So while you’re not technically fertile while on your period, sperm from sex a few days before your period could survive to fertilise an egg a few days after your period if you ovulate not long after.

2. Follicular Phase (Days 1-13)

The follicular phase starts after your period. At the same time, your ovaries are getting ready to release an egg by developing several follicles that house it. Luteinising hormone (LH) is secreted to initiate ovulation. This phase is not the same for all women and that is why women who have absolutely no defined schedule will find harder to know when they will ovulate. When your body gears up to release an egg, the odds that it will be fertilised are at their best in the middle of your period. Your fertility will peak toward the end of your follicular phase as your cervical mucus changes to a fertile type (clear, stretchy and slippery-going by the color/texture of egg whites).

3. Ovulation Phase (Day 14)

Ovulation is your cycle’s main event, the key moment that defines your cycle as fertile. At this time, one of your ovaries releases an egg into a volley of ovulation. This is when, if there is sperm, you are most likely to conceive. And the secret to more sex likely lies in timing intercourse at this time. Ovulation typically happens around Day 14 of a 28-day menstrual cycle, but it may occur earlier or later in some women. When are you most fertile after your period? It depends on the length of your cycle, but generally ovulation happens about 14 days before your next period starts.

4. Luteal Phase (Days 15-28)

The body transitions to the luteal phase post ovulation where the corpus luteum (structure left after ovulation) now secretes progesterone. This hormone is required to get the uterus ready for pregnancy. If the egg is not fertilised, the corpus luteum deteriorates, and progesterone levels decrease, resulting in the shedding of the lining. This is the start of your next period. As the luteal phase advances the likelihood of achieving a pregnancy goes down but if the embryo ever attaches, a successful pregnancy can be obtained.

How to Monitor Your Fertility, and Why This Works for Some Women

The first step in maximising your chances of becoming pregnant is to know when you ovulate. Here’s how to chart your fertility:

1. Tracking Basal Body Temperature (BBT)

One of the most accurate ways to monitor your fertility is to measure your BBT each morning when you wake up, before you get out of bed. Through ovulation, you would then notice a slight dip in temperature, and after that a distinctive rise. Tracking your BBT over time can help you understand when you ovulate and when you’re most likely to conceive.

2. Cervical Mucus Monitoring

Cervical mucus is also a key fertility sign. The health of your cervical mucus As we head towards ovulation, your cervical mucus will increase. It gets clearer, stretchier, and more similar to egg whites, telling you that you’re super fertile. You can track these changes to determine the most fertile days of your cycle.

3. Use of Ovulation Prediction Kits (OPKs)

These kits detect the surge of luteinising hormone (LH) in your urine that occurs just before ovulation. A positive OPK means ovulation is 12-36 hours away! That can be a great way to figure out exactly when to have sex for the highest likelihood of conception.

Can You Get Pregnant Right After Periods?

A concern that we tend to hear a whole lot is, “Exactly how many days after your period are you fertile?” The answer is: It varies a little based on the length of your cycle. For those with a longer cycle, say 33 days or more, ovulation may take place a week or so after your period ends, which could put you possibly in your fertile window a few days before or after your period. Sperm can live for up to five days in the reproductive tract, so if you have sex at the end of your period, sperm could still be viable when you ovulate.

Keep in mind though, the time of ovulation can literally be different for every woman, so no matter how regular your cycle may be, it’s more important to be aware of ovulation signs to know your fertile window.

Do Painful Periods Mean Good Fertility?

Most women suffer through painful menstrual periods at some point in their lives, but does that really say anything about their fertility? Menstrual cramps, or dysmenorrhea, are common, but they can also be a sign of an underlying health condition — endometriosis or fibroids, for example , that can affect fertility. Painful periods themselves are not directly connected to fertility, but they can be indicative of an issue that might be impacting your reproductive health. If you’ve been feeling symptomatic chronic pain or extremely painful periods, however, you’ll definitely want to see a medical professional to rule out fertility concerns.

Is It Normal To Have Period Pain During Pregnancy?

While you can’t have a “real” period while you’re pregnant, you can experience light bleeding. (About one in six pregnant women will experience this.) And many women have cramps during pregnancy even though they aren’t having a menstrual period. Cramps at an early stage of pregnancy can be caused by the implantation of the fertilised egg on the uterine lining. Those cramps are usually mild and temporary, but if you’re having severe discomfort, it could be a sign of a miscarriage or an ectopic pregnancy, both of which require immediate medical attention.

Understanding Early Pregnancy Symptoms Before Missed Period

Lots of early pregnancy symptoms can feel similar to things you might experience when your period’s on its way. Those symptoms are tiredness, breast tenderness, bloating and moodiness. Timing and severity of these symptoms are the main differences. Early pregnancy symptoms before missed period are also far more subtle and can sometimes mix up with monthly period cycles.

If you’re pregnant and have period pain, or if you think you may be pregnant, take a home pregnancy test for relief. It’s always best to see your doctor for an accurate diagnosis.

How IVF London is working to overcome fertility problems

Here at IVF London, we know that trying for a baby can be a whirlwind and we’re here to guide and provide assistance. Whether you have irregular periods, painful periods, or are having trouble getting pregnant, we have fertility treatment that will work for you. Our health care specialists are dedicated to the idea that all family units are created equal, so we treat gay couples with the same amount of care, respect, and compassion as heterosexual couples, and will support you through every stage, from fertility testing and ovulation tracking to advanced therapies such as IVF and genetic screening.

We will be alongside you to guide through the process from your first meeting to bespoke care. If you’re struggling with conceiving, IVF London is here to help. Our cutting-edge technology and personalised care will provide you with everything you need to succeed on your fertility journey.

The Next Step Towards Parenthood with IVF London

Knowing your period cycle fertility and spotting the signals of ovulation can greatly increase your odds of getting pregnant. Keeping track of your cycle, observing fertility signs such as cervical mucus and basal body temperature, and knowing the best time to try for a baby will raise your chances of getting pregnant.

Because not all menstrual cycles are the same, remember, and it could take time to work out the kinks in your body. If you’re troubled by infertility or painful periods, consult a doctor.

FAQs

1. How can I tell when I’m ovulating?

You can tell when you’re ovulating by checking your cervical mucus, charting your basal body temperature, or using an ovulation predictor kit. These techniques will whittle down the time when you are most fertile.

2. Is it still possible to get pregnant if your periods are irregular?

Can you get pregnant with irregular periods? Technically, yes, you can get pregnant with irregular periods. Try ovulation tracking or go to see a doctor for a tailored response.

3. Is it normal to cramp during pregnancy?

Cramps can be a normal part of early pregnancy caused by your expanding uterus. But if cramps are severe or if they come with bleeding, you should call a doctor to make sure you don’t have complications such as an ectopic pregnancy.

4. Could painful periods impact my fertility?

Painful periods may signal problems such as endometriosis, a condition that may affect fertility. If you are struggling with chronic pain, consider discussing your symptoms with a healthcare provider.