Tag Archive for menstrual cycle

Is Your Menstrual Cycle Normal?

March 16, 2009 Jackie No comments

By Jackie

The majority of women have heard that the average length of a menstrual cycle is 28 days. But what if your menstrual cycle is longer or shorter than the average? Most women don’t care if their cycle is a few days off. However, if a woman is trying to conceive, knowing what is “normal” and what isn’t can make a big difference in conception efforts.

A study recently published in Fertility and Sterility examined the menstrual cycles of 167 women. In total, the researchers followed 459 nongestational (not pregnant) and 111 gestational menstrual cycles (pregnant). They found these interesting facts:

  • Menstrual cycles were 27.7 days, plus or minus 2.4 days, in length. This means that for some women, their period came as early as 25.3 days and as late as 30.1 days.
  • LH peaked at 14.7 days, plus or minus 2.4 days. This means that the presumed ovulatory window began as early as day 12.3 and as late as day 17.1.
  • For women who became pregnant, implantation occurred (measured by first day of sensitive detection of hCG) on day 24.6, plus or minus 3.1 days.

The researchers reported that their findings were normal for menstrual cycle length, but that that there data on implantation was different from previously published data. If you are currently trying to become pregnant and your menstrual cycle falls outside of these parameters, you should speak with a gynecologist. Furthermore, if you have been trying for over a year with no success, you should also speak with a gynecologist who can complete a thorough blood work-up.

Curious to learn more about the menstrual cycle and fertility? Read Menstrual Cycle Length and Fertility, which discusses a study that found menstrual cycle length may correlate with fertility.

Fertility, Pelvic & Menstrual Pain, Recent Posts , ,

Menstrual Cycle Length and Fertility

November 11, 2008 Jackie No comments

By Jackie

Quite a few women who came to CPT have told us that their abnormal menstrual cycle became “normal” in length after therapy. One patient told us, “After treatment ended, I felt better, with less pain in my uterus overall. I also noticed my cycles were stronger and healthier.” Another patient reported, “The most astounding result from my treatment was that my menstrual cycle returned!”

Both of these women were diagnosed infertile prior to treatment and then had healthy children afterward. Perhaps part of the reason these women and many others achieve pregnancy is that our treatment normalizes the menstrual cycle length, thus increasing female fertility.

A recent study in Fertility and Sterility (11/2008) found that menstrual cycle length correlates with pregnancy and delivery rates of women undergoing IVF. They also found that as a woman ages, there is a subtle shortening of her menstrual cycle length.

We hypothesize that we improve menstrual cycle length by addressing hormonal and mechanical factors. Throughout life, women go through many events (surgery, trauma, infections, etc.) that can cause adhesions to form within the body. Adhesions that restrict the pituitary-hypothalamus feedback loop can negatively affect hormones that trigger menstruation. Adhesions that form within the reproductive tract can impair menstruation by restricting the uterus and ovaries. When we break-apart, detach, and deform these adhesions during treatment, function and mobility are restored, often resulting in healthier menstrual cycles.

Advanced Reproductive Age, Fertility, Recent Posts , , ,