IS MY PERIOD

NORMAL?
Understanding Your Menstrual Cycle
If You’re Trying to Conceive

More than
70% 11%
95% of women have or more of
of U.S. women start irregular menstrual American women
their periods by cycles as menopause suffer from
age 16. approaches. endometriosis.1

10% 12%
of U.S. women are of women have
affected by PCOS trouble getting or
(polycystic ovary staying pregnant.3
syndrome).2

Fortunately, your menstrual cycle can tell you a lot about your
fertility if you know what to look for.

TYPES OF MENSTRUAL CYCLES

Only 15% of About

Normal = women have 30% of women are
21 to 35 days fertile only during
the “perfect” the “normal” fertility
28-day cycle. window—between
days 10 and 17 of the
menstrual cycle.

Day 1
Period starts (aka menses)

27 28 1 2
26 3
25 4
24 5
Day 15-28 23 6 Day 2-14
Luteal phase; Follicular phase;
progesterone** 22 WHAT’S NORMAL? 7 FSH
released, (follicle-
uterine lining 21 8 stimulating
matures Give or take a few days, hormone) and
20 a normal cycle looks like this: 9 estrogen released,
ovulation* begins
19 10
18 11
17 12
16 15 14 13

*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

At least
30%
of women have an
“irregular” cycle

either short, long

or inconsistent.

Short = Long =
< 21 days > 35 days

May be a sign of: May be a sign of:

Hormonal imbalance Hormonal imbalance
Ovaries with fewer eggs Lack of ovulation
Approach of menopause Other fertility issues
Reduced fertility4 Increased risk of
miscarriage

SIGNS TO WATCH FOR

Your menstrual cycle provides valuable clues about your body’s reproductive health.
Here are some red flags to look for.

Could mean: Could result in:

HEAVY
Hormonal imbalances BLEEDING Anemia
Fibroids or polyps
Must change Difficulty getting pregnant
Endometriosis
pad/tampon every Increased risk of miscarriage
Bleeding disorders
1 to 3 hours

Could mean: Could result in:

Irregular ovulation PROLONGED
Disruptions to the uterine Iron-deficiency anemia
lining BLEEDING Difficulty getting pregnant
Problems forming blood clots More than 7 days Increased risk of miscarriage

Could mean: Could result in:

Thyroid gland irregularities
Elevated hormone levels, such IRREGULAR Problems with ovulation
as prolactin and androgens CYCLE Difficulty getting pregnant
PCOS Increased risk of miscarriage
Diminished ovarian reserve
Ovarian insufficiency
Early signs of menopause

Could mean: Could result in:

Ovulation isn’t happening NEVER Difficulty getting pregnant
Underdeveloped uterus
or vagina
HAVING A without intervention
Scar tissue inside the
PERIOD
uterus
Premature menopause
Low BMI (body mass index)

WHAT TO DO

Understand your menstrual cycle and understand your fertility.

If you are trying to conceive, consult with a fertility specialist

if you’re experiencing any of these warning signs:

“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

Get educated about what’s normal vs. abnormal.

Knowledge can save you time and heartache if you’re struggling to conceive.

1.888.761.1967
http://www.ShadyGroveFertility.com/appointment

Sources
1
"Endometriosis." Womenshealth.gov. February 13, 2017. Accessed March 01, 2017.
https://www.womenshealth.gov/a-z-topics/endometriosis.

"Polycystic ovary syndrome." Office on Women's Health. Accessed March 01, 2017.
2

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.

Wise, Lauren A., Ellen M. Mikkelsen, Kenneth J. Rothman, Anders H. Riis, Henrik Toft Sørensen, Krista F. Huybrechts, and Elizabeth E.
4

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