Trying for a baby: frequent periodsQ."Will having frequent, irregular periods affect my chances of conceiving? We have been trying for a year now and have had no luck as yet. I have a period every 2-3 weeks and my GP can only suggest going on the pill, which I obviously don’t want to do."A.If your periods (counting first day to first day) are only 24 days or less apart, you are probably not ovulating and this would therefore certainly affect your chances of pregnancy. I don't generally like using ovulation predictor kits for irregular cycles because you end up using so many tests in a single month and still might miss the colour change. As you have been trying for a year, your doctor will probably be happy to take a blood sample from you about a week before your period. This is the only simple way to see whether you are ovulating or not. If it turns out you are not ovulating, then pills called clomiphene citrate (the trade name is Clomid) are a good form of treatment. As these regulate your periods, it is tempting just to prescribe them without the blood test, but it is always better to be sure what is going on first. Steve Killick, Babyworld Fertility Expert - Question answered 07.09.00 |
