It’s quite common for women to occasionally experience delays or changes in their menstrual cycle. While fluctuations in the cycle are often normal, frequent irregularities may signal the presence of deeper underlying issues. Irregular periods could be caused by several factors, and their impact on ovulation and egg maturity could have an effect on fertility and overall reproductive health.
In this article, we shall take a closer look at the link between irregular periods and egg maturity. Understanding the science behind this connection will be important for women who are trying to track their cycle, plan a pregnancy, or simply take better care of their reproductive health.
The menstrual cycle is a natural, monthly process that a woman’s reproductive organs undergo to get her body ready for a possible pregnancy. Also called menses or menstruation, this cycle is triggered and regulated by hormones released by the pituitary gland and the ovaries. The cycle varies from woman to woman and can last from 21 to 35 days.
The early stage of the menstrual cycle is called the follicular phase. It begins on the first day of the period and typically lasts for approximately 13 to 14 days. During this stage, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) triggers the growth and development of numerous follicles within the ovary. Each of these follicles carries an immature egg within it. As days go by and the stage progresses, a dominant follicle will emerge while the others diminish. When the viable egg within this follicle is fully matured, another hormone called Luteinizing hormone (LH) triggers the follicle to rupture and release its egg. It then travels to the fallopian tube, where it will wait to be fertilised by a sperm. This process is called ovulation.
At the same time, hormones make the lining of the uterus thicken so that, if pregnancy occurs, the egg can implant into it. If fertilisation doesn’t happen, pregnancy does not occur. The lining breaks down and is shed through the vagina. This shedding is known as a menstrual period, and its appearance marks the beginning of a new cycle.
As stated earlier, a normal menstrual cycle occurs every 21 to 35 days, accompanied by menstrual bleeding that typically lasts 2 to 7 days. When there are noticeable changes in the timing, flow, or duration of periods, they are considered irregular. Here are a few examples of situations where the menstrual cycle can be thought of as being irregular:
● Cycles that occur less than 21 days apart or stretch beyond 35 days.
● Going without a period for three consecutive cycles.
● Heavy or light menstrual bleeding during periods.
● The gap between menstrual cycles changes frequently. For instance, one cycle might last 28 days, the following one 37 days, and the next 29 days.
● There’s spotting or light bleeding between the cycles.
Here are some of the common reasons why women experience irregular menstrual cycles:
Imbalances in hormones can disrupt the menstrual cycle and lead to irregular periods, affect ovulation, and impact overall reproductive health.
PCOS is a common disorder, and many women experiencing irregular periods suffer from it. Women with PCOS have high levels of male hormones called androgens, ovarian cysts, and irregular ovulation.
Hormonal imbalance may occur as a result of thyroid or pituitary gland disorders like hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism.
Bacterial infections caused by sexually transmitted diseases can have adverse effects on the female reproductive system and lead to issues like irregular periods.
Primary Ovarian Insufficiency is one of the rare causes of irregular periods and fertility can be severely impacted in cases where women have this issue. The ovaries stop functioning and fail to produce and release eggs.
There will be problems with egg development with irregular periods. A regular menstrual cycle plays a key role in supporting healthy ovulation and egg development. When the cycle is consistent, hormones are released in a steady pattern, consequently helping follicles grow properly and enabling the release of one mature egg during ovulation. However, when periods are irregular, this rhythm gets disrupted.
Irregular cycles often mean that ovulation is not happening regularly or that eggs are not maturing as they should. Hormonal imbalances, especially those brought on by conditions like PCOS or issues with the thyroid or pituitary gland, can interfere with the signals that help eggs develop and release on time. As a result, the egg may be immature, poorly timed, or not released at all.
Hormonal imbalance also explains how irregular cycles affect egg quality. For instance, both deficiency and excess in the levels of androgen hormones can have a negative impact on the quality of eggs.
Irregular periods, whereby the menstrual cycles become too short, too long, missed altogether, or unusually heavy or light, are a sign of underlying issues that affect ovulation and egg health. As a result of this, there could be hormonal imbalances that can affect egg maturity and fertility. This can have a detrimental effect on fertility and hinder the chances of a successful pregnancy. This is why it is vital to seek treatment to rectify irregular menstrual cycles as early as possible.
