It is also important to note that irregular cycles in adolescent girls are completely normal. They result from the individual nature of hormonal development and the still-maturing interaction between the hypothalamus, pituitary gland, and ovaries. Your personal fertility rhythm may continue to develop until around the age of 25. Using hormonal contraceptive pills to „regulate” irregular cycles is neither a meaningful nor a beneficial solution. Such treatment does not correct the underlying cause, and after discontinuing artificial hormones, cycle irregularities often persist or may even worsen.

What causes irregular menstrual cycles?

The underlying causes of irregular menstrual cycles are primarily related to endocrine system dysfunctions. They may also result from a highly stressful lifestyle, chronic sleep deprivation, or various medical conditions such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) or thyroid disorders.

How can natural methods of fertility recognition be used with irregular menstrual cycles?

Irregular menstrual cycles may sometimes make it more difficult to determine infertility during the pre-ovulatory phase.

The first phase of the fertility cycle, known as the follicular phase (also called the pre‑ovulatory or estrogen phase), lasts from the onset of menstrual bleeding until ovulation. This phase is particularly sensitive to disruptive factors and is therefore prone to disturbances in follicular growth and maturation, which may delay ovulation by several days.

In irregular cycles, the pre-ovulatory phase is often prolonged and may be characterized by alternating days of cervical mucus and dryness, as well as occasional intermenstrual bleeding. Such bleeding should also be considered a potentially fertile sign. As a result, ovulation and the associated rise in basal body temperature may occur much later than expected.

In these situations, self-examination (palpation) of the cervix is a valuable additional and complementary tool within natural fertility recognition methods. The cervix should be examined each evening. If it remains firm and closed for three consecutive days, relative infertility (Pearl Index = 0.9) may be assumed beginning on the evening of the third day. However, observations must be continued to ensure that no softening or opening of the cervix occurs, as this would indicate a return to fertility.

The post-ovulatory phase of absolute infertility (Pearl Index = 0.0) can be determined using the basic „three-day rule”, based on sustained elevated basal body temperature following ovulation.

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How to regulate irregular menstrual cycles:

• Correct magnesium deficiency, as magnesium helps reduce the amount and frequency of cervical mucus, shortens excessively long menstrual bleeding, and alleviates menstrual pain related to uterine contractions. It also helps counteract the negative effects of stress on the body.
• Use herbal therapy with chaste tree (vitex agnus-castus) for at least three months, which may help regulate irregular cycles by supporting hormonal balance.
• Follow a balanced diet, limiting refined sugar and products made from white wheat flour.
• Regulate both sleep duration and sleep conditions. Continuous exposure to light can interfere with the pineal gland and disrupt the growth and maturation of ovarian follicles, thereby prolonging the pre‑ovulatory phase. The bedroom should be well darkened at night. Light‑exposure regulation may also be helpful: when cervical mucus first appears, allow exposure to natural light for approximately five days, then return to complete darkness during sleep.
• Check hormone levels, including prolactin (PRL), thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and androgens.
• Consider natural progesterone therapy, which can be used under medical supervision to support cycle regularity.
• Maintain careful and systematic observation of fertility signs throughout your menstrual cycles, as this provides valuable information for the early diagnosis of hormonal or cycle-related disorders.