Using a Fertility Awareness Method to Understand the Root Causes of Irregular Cycles
Irregular cycles can be a frustrating and confusing experience, leaving many women wondering why their cycles are out of sync. While there are various reasons for irregular menstruation, from stress and diet to underlying health conditions, understanding the root cause is crucial for finding the right solution and can offer a profound level of stress relief that can help to regulate menstruation before any other steps have been taken. Fertility Awareness Methods (FAM) offer a powerful tool for monitoring your hormones and gaining insights into your menstrual health, helping you uncover the underlying reasons behind your irregular periods.
What Are Irregular Periods?
Ideally your menstrual cycle length (meaning from Day 1 of bleeding to the next menstruation) should be between 23 to 35 days and around the same length every month, with little to no ‘irregularity’. However – cycle length alone does not provide all the information needed to determine overall cycle health. For instance, in different contexts a changing cycle length would be deemed normal, such as postpartum, pre-menopause or in a teenager’s first few years of cycling. Additionally, two people with the same cycle length within the range of normal ie 30 days, may not automatically have healthy cycles. We have to also take into consideration other cycle parameters such as Follicular and Luteal Phase length and regularity. This is where Fertility Awareness Methods come into play.
The term ‘Irregular periods’ may be used to describe cycles which shift length by several days each time, for example a cycle lasting 28 days one month is followed by a cycle lasting 40 the next. In more severe cases cycles may be consistently around 60 days long or more. Irregular cycles also encompass anything outside of the 23 to 35 day range of normal. For example, consistent 40 day cycles would also be considered irregular.
What are Fertility Awareness Methods?
Fertility Awareness is an umbrella term for any method which involves tracking your body’s natural signs of fertility throughout your menstrual cycle. This often includes monitoring cervical mucus, basal body temperature (BBT) and cervical position. By charting these signs daily, you can identify patterns and gain a clear picture of your hormonal fluctuations.
Unlike simply tracking the length of your cycle and menstruation, FAM provides detailed insights into how your hormones behave during each phase of your cycle. These methods empower you to recognise when you ovulate, the length of your luteal phase, and how your body responds to different lifestyle factors. Over time, this information can help you understand what might be causing irregularities in your cycle.
Understanding Hormonal Patterns Through FAM
Irregular periods often stem from hormonal imbalances. By using FAM, you can observe how your hormones shift throughout your cycle and pinpoint where things may be going awry. Here’s how FAM can help you monitor key hormonal activities:
- Ovulation and Estrogen Levels: One of the primary signs of fertility that FAM tracks is cervical mucus. As estrogen rises in the first half of your cycle, your cervical mucus (CM) becomes more abundant, and slippery, indicating that ovulation is approaching. If you notice a lack of fertile-quality mucus or an erratic pattern, it could suggest that your estrogen levels are not rising adequately, which might be a root cause of your irregular periods.
- Luteal Phase and Progesterone Levels: After ovulation, your basal body temperature should rise due to the increase in progesterone, a hormone crucial for maintaining a regular cycle. By tracking your BBT, you can confirm whether or not you’ve ovulated and assess the length of your luteal phase. A short (less than 12 days) or erratic luteal phase (changing length cycle to cycle) could indicate low progesterone levels, often a culprit in irregular periods.
- Stress and Cycle Irregularities: FAM also provides insight into how stress affects your cycle. High stress levels can delay or even prevent ovulation, leading to longer, irregular cycles. If you notice that your temperature shift is delayed or your cervical mucus doesn’t follow its usual pattern during stressful times, this could be a clue that stress is impacting your hormonal balance. This can also manifest in cycle symptoms such as PMS, period pain and more. Remember that the word ‘stress’ can encompass both emotional and psychological stress but also physical stress such as over exercising and under eating.
- Identifying Potential Health Issues: Irregular periods can sometimes be a symptom of underlying health issues like Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), Hypothalamic Amenorrhea (HA) or thyroid imbalances. FAM allows you to track symptoms that may accompany these conditions, such as consistently high or low BBT, irregular mucus patterns, or anovulatory cycles. By charting these irregularities, you can present a detailed record to your healthcare provider, making it easier to diagnose and address the root cause.
Taking Action Based on FAM Insights
Once you’ve gathered sufficient data through FAM, you can start making informed decisions to improve your menstrual health. For instance, if your charts suggest low progesterone, you might explore dietary changes, stress management techniques, or supplements to support hormone balance. If stress appears to be a significant factor, mindfulness practices or adjustments to your lifestyle might be necessary.
The beauty of FAM is that it gives you direct feedback from your body, allowing you to make targeted changes that address the specific needs of your cycle. Over time, this method can help you achieve more regular periods and a deeper understanding of your hormonal health which will serve you for life.
Conclusion: Empowering Yourself Through FAM
Fertility Awareness Methods are more than just a tool for natural contraception; they are a window into your hormonal health. By consistently charting your cycle, you can uncover the underlying causes of your irregular periods and take proactive steps to restore balance. Whether you’re dealing with stress, hormonal imbalances, or a more complex health issue, FAM equips you with the knowledge to make informed decisions and take control of your menstrual health.
References
Odeblad, E., 1994. The discovery of different types of cervical mucus and the Billings Ovulation Method. Bulletin of the Natural Family Planning Council of Victoria, 21(3), pp.3-34.
Gunn, H.M., Tsai, M.C., McRae, A. and Steinbeck, K.S., 2018. Menstrual patterns in the first gynecological year: a systematic review. Journal of Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology, 31(6), pp.557-565.
Richard J. Fehring, Mary Schneider, Kathleen Raviele., 2006. Variability in the Phases of the Menstrual Cycle. Journal of Obstetric, Gynecologic & Neonatal Nursing. Volume 35, Issue 3. pp. 376-384
Prior, J.C., 2020. Women’s reproductive system as balanced estradiol and progesterone actions—a revolutionary, paradigm-shifting concept in women’s health. Drug Discovery Today: Disease Models, 32, pp.31-40.
Duane, M., Stanford, JB., Porucznik, CA., and Vigil, P., 2022. Fertility Awareness-Based Methods for Women’s Health and Family Planning. Frontiers in Medicine, Volume 9, Article 858977.
Sokoloff, N.C., Misra, M. and Ackerman, K.E., 2016. Exercise, training, and the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis in men and women. Sports Endocrinology, 47, pp.27-43.
