What does our menstruation tell us about fertility?

To know if a woman is fertile it is necessary to ask some questions according to the characteristics of her menstruation. There are many factors that can influence fertility and that of the couple, but menstruation can help in a simple way to know if it is necessary to contact a specialist in Assisted Reproduction before considering getting pregnant.

What does menstruation tell us about fertility?

Menstruation reflects ovarian and uterine function. The characteristics of this, such as frequency, duration, pain… can help to suspect if ovulation is correct, if the oocyte reserve is optimal or if the woman is in a period of premenopause or if she has fibroids, polyps or endometriosis.

To know if you are fertile according to the regularity of menstruation

The first thing to consider is the regularity of menstruation. A regular menstruation of 26 to 30 days indicates that the ovaries are working properly.

If, on the other hand, menstruation is delayed by 2 to 3 months, it is possible that the ovaries are not ovulating correctly. This happens in pathologies such as polycystic ovary or hyperprolactinemia. Both pathologies can be treated when considering pregnancy.

Short or long menstrual periods and light or heavy menses

If menstrual periods are short, i.e. less than 26 days, and menses are light, it may mean that the woman is in the beginning of premenopause. This is common after the age of 35 and can last up to 10 years. Studies show that during the time of premenopause there is no ovulation in up to 44% of menstrual cycles, making it more difficult to achieve a spontaneous pregnancy.

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Heavy bleeding, on the other hand, either associated with weight gain or obesity, the presence of polyps or uterine fibroids … these situations can also reduce a woman’s fertility.

Pain during menstruation and fertility

Pain during menstruation is common but not normal. Painful periods can be associated with the presence of pathologies such as endometriosis, a benign pathology that affects about 20% of women of childbearing age. The presence of endometriosis can be related to malfunctioning of the fallopian tubes, poor oocyte and embryo quality, and an increased risk of miscarriage. This compromises the woman’s fertility, so if the periods are very painful it is advisable to visit the gynecologist.