The Period You Get While On The Pill Isnt A ‘true’ Period
Sure, you bleed during the week that you take the sugar pills. But technically thatâs âmonthly withdrawal bleeding.â Itâs slightly different than a regular period.
Normally, you ovulate in the middle of your menstrual cycle. If the egg your ovaries release isnât fertilized, your hormone levels drop, causing you to shed the lining inside your uterus, and you get your period.
Birth control pills, though, prevent ovulation. With most types, you take hormones for 3 weeks followed by 1 week of pills without them. Though they keep your body from releasing an egg, they usually donât prevent it from building up the lining of your uterus all month. The period-like bleeding during that fourth week is your bodyâs reaction to the lack of hormones from the last week of the pill.
What Causes A Period
A period happens because of changes in in the body. Hormones are chemical messengers. The ovaries release the female hormones and . These hormones cause the lining of the uterus to build up. The built-up lining is ready for a fertilized egg to attach to and start developing. If there is no fertilized egg, the lining breaks down and bleeds. Then the same process happens all over again.
It usually takes about a month for the lining to build up, then break down. That is why most girls and women get their periods around once a month.
Irregular Periods And Getting Pregnant
Irregular or abnormal ovulation accounts for 30% to 40% of all cases of infertility. Having irregular periods, no periods, or abnormal bleeding often indicates that you aren’t ovulating, a condition known clinically as anovulation.
Although anovulation can usually be treated with fertility drugs, it is important to be evaluated for other conditions that could interfere with ovulation, such as thyroid conditions or abnormalities of the adrenal or pituitary glands.
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Can I Menstruate Without Ovulating
In the medical world, menstruation happens when an egg that’s released from your ovary isnt fertilized, so the uterus sheds its lining. Because of this, you cannot technically menstruate without ovulating.
However, you can still bleed experience a period without ovulating. This is known as abnormal uterine bleeding , or anovulatory bleeding. AUB is non-cyclic uterine bleeding that is irregular. Abnormal uterine bleeding is common approximately one-third of people who have a uterus and are of child-bearing age experience it.
Why Does Anovulation Happen
Anovulatory cycles seem to be most common when the body is adjusting after a major change in hormones. Women may experience these cycles when they first begin menstruating, are coming off the pill, have just given birth, or are approaching menopause.
But, you can still experience a few anovulatory cycles outside of these times because factors like stress or suddenly beginning a vigorous workout schedule can temporarily disrupt ovulation. Chances are every woman will experience a few cycles of anovulation at some point in her life.
However, if you experience recurrent anovulatory cycles, then it is important to talk to your doctor. Recurrent anovulation can be a sign of polycystic ovarian syndrome , or when ovarian cysts cause hormone imbalance and irregular cycles. If youre concerned that you may have PCOS, talk to your doctor about getting tested for it.
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A Spike In Your Basal Body Temperature
Take your basal body temperature with a basal body thermometer first thing in the morning, before you eat, talk, or even get out of bed. Chart your temperature all month long.
When you notice a slight increase, usually half a degree to a whole degree, you may have ovulated. Because this method only shows that ovulation has already occurred, its not a good way to predict your fertile window. It may help you understand your bodys typical timing for ovulation in future cycles, though.
What Are The Signs That You Are Ovulating
If you see the usual signs of ovulation, chances are you are ovulating. These include:
- A surge in LH hormone. An ovulation test detects whether there is a surge in Luteinizing hormone . This happens 12-24 hours before you ovulate. If, however, you have PCOS you may get misleading results if you use an ovulation test due to high levels of LH throughout the cycle. This is why OTs are not recommended if you have been diagnosed with PCOS.
- Regular periods. If youre ovulating, youre likely to have a relatively predictable menstrual cycle thats around every 24 to 32 days. , or very long or short cycles, may be a sign you may not be ovulating. However, anovulation is possible even if your periods are normal length and regular.
- Change in body basal temperature. Your bodys temperature at rest increases slightly after ovulation. However, many other factors can cause an increase in body temperature so this is not a very accurate measure.
- Changes in vaginal secretions. Just before you ovulate, you may notice you have more clear, wet, and stretchy vaginal secretions. After you ovulate, you may see the becomes thicker, cloudier, and not as noticeable. Tracking cervical mucus is difficult and requires expert guidance so it may be difficult to confirm ovulation using this method. It is also important to note that changes in vaginal discharge can be a sign of infection, so if abnormal, consult your doctor.
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How Long Does The Transition To Menopause Last
Perimenopause, the transition to menopause, can last between two and eight years before your periods stop permanently. For most women, this transition to menopause lasts about four years. You will know you have reached menopause only after it has been a full year since your last period. This means you have not had any bleeding, including spotting, for 12 months in a row.
Ive Been Using Contraception Will This Affect My Cycle
This depends on what type of contraception youve been using. If youve been taking the pill, your period may be irregular when you first come off it, so try to give yourself up to 3 months for your natural menstrual cycle to get back to its normal routine.
The first period after stopping the pill is known as a withdrawal bleed. The next one after this is your first natural period.
The contraceptive injection can also affect your cycle. Your periods may change and become irregular, heavier, shorter, lighter or stop altogether. This can carry on for some months after you stop the injections.
If you use the contraceptive implant your fertility will return to normal as soon as it is taken out.
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Ovulation Increases Desire For Sex
Speaking of ovulation signs, your body puts out several signs of increasing fertility as ovulation approaches. Never underestimate biology!
You can use ovulation predictor tests to help pinpoint your most fertile days. Some studies have found this can help you get pregnant faster. But while you fiddle with urination test strips, behind the scenes, your hormones are at work, ensuring that you and your partner get busy in the bedroom.
When you are most fertile, your libido rises. If you ever wondered why your desire for sex waxes and wanes throughout the month, this is one big reason why.
How can you use this information to get pregnant faster? Listen to your body. If youre in the mood to do the horizontal baby dance, go for it. No matter what your ovulation test strips say!
Tampons And Pads Arent Your Only Choices
You have more options to help you manage that time of the month.
A menstrual cup is a flexible cup that fits inside your vagina and collects blood during your period. Period panties are super-absorbent, and you can wear them on their own on your lighter days or with a tampon during heavier times. Reusable cloth pads can be washed and worn again.
These products can be cost-savers, since you can reuse them, and they also create less waste. In some cases, they give you more time between changes. For example, you need to change a tampon every 4 to 8 hours, but you may be able to go up to 12 hours with a menstrual cup before you empty it.
There are pros and cons to all these options, just as there are with tampons and pads. But you can find one that works best for you with some trial and error.
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When Should I See My Healthcare Provider
If youre experiencing irregular, heavy or excessively painful periods that are disrupting your life, be sure to see your healthcare provider for treatment.
If youre having issues conceiving, reach out to your provider. You may be experiencing anovulation.
If youve been treated for anovulation and are still having issues conceiving, contact your healthcare provider or fertility specialist.
When To Call The Doctor
If you have irregular cycles or any other symptoms of anovulation, schedule a visit with your practitioner. Treating conditions including PCOS, hypothyroidism and hyperprolactinemia can greatly increase your odds of getting pregnant.
Also call your doctor if youre under 35 and havent conceived within a year of trying, or if youre over 35 and haven’t conceived after six months. She may refer you to a specialist who can figure out why youre not getting pregnant and suggest treatments that can help.
From the What to Expect editorial team and Heidi Murkoff, author of What to Expect When You’re Expecting. What to Expect follows strict reporting guidelines and uses only credible sources, such as peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions and highly respected health organizations. Learn how we keep our content accurate and up-to-date by reading our medical review and editorial policy.
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Fertility And Chances Of Conceiving
Late ovulation can affect a persons fertility and ability to conceive.
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists state that problems with ovulation, such as late or missed ovulation, are the most common causes of female infertility.
Women who have long or irregular cycles can struggle to know when they have ovulated. This makes conception challenging because they do not know when to time intercourse.
However, late ovulation does not make conception impossible. Many women with irregular ovulation will successfully conceive.
Ovulation predictor kits can help individuals determine when they ovulate, enabling them to more accurately time sexual intercourse.
How Will I Know If I Am Starting The Transition To Menopause
Sometimes it can be hard for you and your doctor to tell whether you are in perimenopause, the transition to menopause:
- Symptoms: Tell your doctor or nurse about any menopause symptoms, such as hot flashes or trouble sleeping.
- Irregular periods: Track your periods. Irregular periods may be your first sign of menopause.
- Hormone levels: Your doctor may test the amount of hormones in your blood if your periods stopped at an early age . Doctors dont usually recommend this test unless there is a medical reason to do so. This is because, for most women, hormone levels go up and down in an unpredictable way during the transition to menopause. So it is difficult to tell for sure whether you have gone through menopause or are getting close to it based on this blood test.
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Can I Get Pregnant With Anovulation
Lifestyle changes and/or medication can often treat anovulation, which means youll have an opportunity to get pregnant. However, many other factors are involved in successful conception and pregnancy.
If youve been treated for anovulation and are still having a difficult time becoming pregnant, be sure to reach out to your healthcare provider. They may recommend in vitro fertilization or intrauterine insemination .
Can I Get Pregnant At Any Time During My Cycle
Yes, but its unlikely youll get pregnant just before or just after your period. You are most fertile when you ovulate, so this is when youre most likely to get pregnant. Understanding your cycle and knowing more about what is happening month during the month, can help you learn the best days to get pregnant.
Find out more about ovulation and fertility, including top tips for finding your fertility window. You can also use our ovulation calculator to find out more.
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Ovulation Without A Period
Again, since your period results from ovulation, it is uncommon to ovulate without having a period, but not impossible. Factors such as uterine scarring or becoming pregnant can cause your period not to occur.
If you have had a dilation and curettage procedure, a C-section or reproductive disease, you may have scarring on your uterus. If so, the usual thickening of the uterus lining that normally happens after ovulation does not occur. You may ovulate without having a period, or you might have a light period.
You also may ovulate without periods if your ovaries release an egg between 12 to 16 days before you expect your period to begin.
What Is The Menstrual Cycle
The menstrual cycle is what your body goes through to get ready for pregnancy. This cycle is the time from the first day of your period up to the day before the start of your next period.
Ovulation usually happens during the second half of the cycle. This is when an egg is released from one of your ovaries. To get pregnant, the egg needs to be fertilised by the sperm.
Ovulation doesnt happen every month for every woman. There are some conditions that may interfere with ovulation, such as endometriosis and polycystic ovarian syndrome . If you are not getting a monthly period and are trying to get pregnant, speak to your doctor.
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When Should You Visit A Doctor
If you notice youre consistently ovulating outside of whats considered normal, you should visit your doctor. Similarly, if you suffer from health issues that are linked to fertility problems, or are on medications that could affect ovulation, book an appointment to discuss the best ways to conceive. Use the Flo app to track your symptoms so your doctor can see exactly what’s going on.
Fertility And Other Treatments If You Dont Ovulate
Many treatments can balance the hormones you need to have regular periods.
Clomiphene citrate or letrozole can help regulate your hormone levels if you have PCOS to help you ovulate and get pregnant. These drugs can maximize your odds of getting pregnant if youre nearing menopause too.
Some medication lowers prolactin production and decreases tumor size if you have hyperprolactinemia, while other drugs can regulate thyroid hormone levels to treat hypothyroidism. And estrogen and progesterone pills or skin patches can treat hypogonadotropic hypogonadism.
If you have ovarian insufficiency, IVF may help you to get pregnant. But since the number of eggs in your body is fixed at birth, you may need to use donor eggs.
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