Updated on May 18, 2022

Beware of hidden menstrual irregularities, which are important for those trying to conceive!
What you can do to induce ovulation

  • Hidden Menstrual Irregularities
  • ovulation
  • Daily care

Clock illustrationReading time: 5 minutes

Beware of hidden irregular periods, which are important for fertility! What you can do to promote ovulation.

Table of Contents

Dr. Naohisa Koyama, Honorary Director, Health Science Clinic, Osaka Medical and Pharmaceutical University

Dr. Naohisa Koyama, Honorary Director, Health Science Clinic, Osaka Medical and Pharmaceutical University

Supervision

Honorary Director, Health Science Clinic, Osaka Medical and Pharmaceutical University
​Professor Naohisa Goyama

After graduating from Osaka Medical University and completing clinical training, he studied at Shimane University School of Medicine and Oklahoma State University in the United States. In 1993, he became a lecturer and then associate professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Osaka Medical University, and in 2006, he became a professor at Aino Gakuin Junior College. In 2009, he became a professor of the endowed chair at the Osaka Medical University Health Science Clinic, and in 2016, he became a professor at the same Health Science Clinic, and in 2020, he became honorary director, and in 2022, he became a distinguished professor at Osaka Medical and Pharmaceutical University.

Is it possible to have your period without actually ovulating?
Possibility of hidden menstrual irregularities

Illustration of a woman who is troubled.

What exactly does "menstrual irregularities" refer to?

Professor Naohisa Goyama

In a normal menstrual cycle, menstruation occurs regularly at intervals of 25 to 38 days. If it deviates from this, it can be considered an irregular period. For example, if one month your period lasts 25 days and the next month it lasts 35 days, this could be considered an irregular period.
If your menstrual cycle is too short, too long, or irregular (with fluctuations of 7 days or more), you should first suspect menstrual irregularities.

Illustration of a woman who is troubled.

How does irregular menstruation affect fertility?

Professor Naohisa Goyama

Not being able to accurately determine ovulation day makes it difficult to time intercourse between spouses.
It's also possible that you're experiencing irregular bleeding that isn't associated with ovulation. If ovulation doesn't occur, sperm and egg cannot meet, and therefore pregnancy is not possible.
First, you need to know if you are experiencing regular uterine bleeding (menstruation) accompanied by ovulation.

How to tell if ovulation is occurring

Illustration of a woman who is troubled.

Is there a way to know if I'm ovulating?

Professor Naohisa Goyama

Self-diagnosis is very difficult, but tracking basal body temperature can be a great clue. When patients come to our infertility clinic, we first instruct them to track their basal body temperature for three months.
When ovulation occurs normally, basal body temperature shows two distinct phases over the course of a month: a low-temperature phase and a high-temperature phase, which repeat in a regular cycle.
​If your basal body temperature remains consistently low, a monophasic low temperature pattern may indicate anovulation. Even if you experience bleeding similar to menstruation during this time, it is likely to be irregular bleeding.

Graph: Ideal basal body temperature

Graph: Body temperature - compatibility

An explanation of the basics of ovulation

Start practicing now! Daily care

Illustration of a woman who is troubled.

Are there any care methods I can use on a daily basis?

Professor Naohisa Goyama

If you suspect you have irregular periods, you should first see a gynecologist to check for any underlying serious illnesses. Also, try to be mindful of the following in your daily life.

1. Keep your body warm.

Modern women tend to wear clothing that cools the body, such as skirts and stockings. Also, many people find themselves getting cold easily in air-conditioned offices.
Those hoping to conceive should especially take precautions to avoid getting cold.

Coldness and fertility

2. Release stress regularly!

Find your own way to effectively relieve stress!
However, while women tend to relieve stress through eating, rapid weight changes and nutritional imbalances can easily disrupt hormone balance, so overeating and excessive drinking are not recommended. Identify the causes of your stress and find ways to release it regularly.

3. Avoid excessive dieting.

Many women experience menstrual irregularities when dieting. It is said that rapid weight loss significantly reduces the secretion of female hormones.
Once your hormone balance is disrupted by dieting, it takes a very long time to return to normal.

Illustration of a woman who is troubled.

I'm having trouble consistently taking my basal body temperature every day...

Professor Naohisa Goyama

Many people find it difficult to consistently use traditional basal body thermometers that measure temperature under the tongue every day.
Recently, various femtech devices have emerged, such as those that measure breast size or navel size. The important thing is consistency. Try incorporating something that you can easily stick with.

※
FemTech is
A portmanteau of "Female" and "Technology."
These are products and services that use technology to solve women's health issues.
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