My Cycle is Irregular – How Will I Ever Get Pregnant?
Mar 13, 2026
Blog:
Many women can track their cycle like clockwork – but if you have an irregular period, it’s difficult to keep track. Things get even more troublesome when you’re trying to get pregnant and can’t predict when you ovulate or when your next cycle will be.
If you have an irregular cycle and need help, the Artemis OB/GYN team offers therapies such as ultrasounds and hysteroscopies for abnormal bleeding and infertility. Dr. Nicola Pemberton is an experienced and esteemed OB/GYN serving the Union, New Jersey, area.
Irregular menstruation occurs when a woman’s cycle falls outside normal parameters. That usually means a cycle of fewer than 21 days or longer than 35 days. Bleeding for more than a week is also considered irregular.
Many factors can cause irregular periods, including medications, lifestyle choices, and other conditions. The common causes of irregular menstruation include the following:
Each issue can lead to various cycle changes, including skipped periods, heavier-than-normal bleeding, and pelvic pain. Irregular cycles vary from woman to woman, as well as the symptoms.
The good news is that not everyone with an irregular menstrual cycle will have trouble conceiving, but it does increase the risk. Irregularities often cause issues with ovulation, which is necessary to get pregnant.
A good rule of thumb for a healthy woman under 35 is to have regular intercourse every month for a year to increase the chances of pregnancy. If you don’t conceive within a year, you can reach out for infertility treatment.
Women with irregular cycles over age 35 should try regular intercourse for six months to achieve pregnancy. Seek infertility treatment if you don’t conceive within six months.
However, you can seek fertility at any time, even before you’re ready to conceive, to understand your body and improve the odds.
Having an irregular period doesn’t mean you can’t get pregnant, but it may be more difficult. The following are tips we offer to help you on your journey of conception:
Using over-the-counter ovulation trackers is a great way to track the LH surge that signifies ovulation. There are several methods, including cervical mucus tracking and basal body temperature.
Many people experience slight symptoms right before and during ovulation. You may have breast tenderness or an increase in vaginal discharge. You may also feel twinges around your ovaries.
Basal body temperature is an accurate way to monitor ovulation. Taking your temperature every morning before you get out of bed and tracking it for several months gives you an idea of when you ovulate. Your temperature spikes two days after ovulation occurs.
A healthy lifestyle may not fix an abnormal period, but it doesn’t hurt. Eat a healthy diet and exercise regularly for optimal results. It’s also important to maintain a healthy weight.
If irregular cycles persist, it’s essential to seek guidance from an OB/GYN to understand why it’s happening. A professional also helps you figure out when you’re ovulating, which can further assist with getting pregnant.
When you come in for your appointment, we evaluate your symptoms and discuss your menstrual cycle. From there, we order testing to find the cause of irregular periods.
The next step is helping you achieve pregnancy for some women, which means hormones or medications to induce a period or ovulation.
Women with fibroids or uterine polyps may require surgery to remove them to achieve pregnancy.
Sometimes, simple bloodwork to determine when you are ovulating and timed intercourse is all you need. We address the cause of irregular periods to help you achieve a healthy pregnancy.
To schedule an evaluation for irregular periods or infertility, call or message our Union, New Jersey, office, or use our online booking feature.