Irregular Cycles and Fertility: Dy You Need to Be Concerned?

Cycle irregularity is often brushed off as “normal,” especially for younger women or those not actively trying to conceive. Yet your cycle is one of the best signals of reproductive health — and irregular patterns can be worth investigating sooner rather than later.

What Does Irregular Mean?
An irregular cycle typically means that ovulation is inconsistent or disrupted. This might look like cycles longer than 35 days, cycles that vary greatly month to month, or cycles that have recently become irregular after being consistent in the past.

Common Causes of Irregular Cycles
Several potential causes of irregular cycles can affect fertility, including polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), thyroid dysfunction, low ovarian reserve, elevated prolactin levels, metabolic or inflammatory imbalances, or significant lifestyle stressors such as underweight or overtraining.

How Irregular Cycles Impact Fertility
Irregular cycles can impact your ability to conceive by making ovulation unpredictable or by signaling underlying egg quality or hormonal concerns. But a one-time hormone panel or simple cycle tracking app is not enough to tell you what is really going on. A deeper assessment that looks at ovarian reserve (AMH), thyroid function (TSH and free T4), prolactin, insulin sensitivity, and androgens like testosterone provides a much clearer picture.

Why Tracking Trends Matters
Understanding your cycle patterns over time is also crucial — fertility is dynamic, not static. Trends across several months give much more insight than a single test result.

If your cycles are irregular, do not wait to investigate. Being proactive can help restore regular ovulation, optimize egg health, and improve your chances of a healthy pregnancy in the future.