Irregular Periods and Fertility: Can You Still Get Pregnant?

Question
hello my name is Priscilla i'm 25 years old i've been married for two and a half years. me and my husband have tired for about a year and a half to get pregnant. i am overweight but im not obese or anything. well i don't get my period every month i'm what you would call irregular. i really want to have a baby, but since im not ovulating or maybe i am and i just dont know when. what i really want to ask is can i still get pregnant.. thank you for you time.

Answer
Hello,

Irregular periods are a sign of an ovarian or ovulatory dysfunction.  The body goes through a pretty extensive process to get pregnant and anything that cause a problem in this process will prevent pregnancy.  If you are not ovulatory or not ovulating correctly, then pregnancy will be difficult.  That is not to say that you cannot achieve pregnancy, but statistically your chances are compromised.

There are medications to help with this, and you should undergo an evaluation to determine the appropriate treatment.  I would recommend that you go see a fertility specialist.  At your age, you should have become pregnant within one year of trying.  You have already gone too long.

Sincerely,

Edward J. Ramirez, M.D., FACOG
Executive Medical Director
The Fertility and Gynecology Center
Monterey Bay IVF Program
www.montereybayivf.com

Monterey, California, U.S.A.