We all know that a missed period is one of the classic signs of pregnancy. But if you have irregular periods, it can be more than just a little confusing to figure out whether you’ve actually missed your period or if it’s just going to turn up late to the party.
If you’re anxiously waiting to take a pregnancy test, then rest assured — there are plenty of other signs and signals that could be your body’s way of telling you that you’re pregnant. In fact, there are numerous common early signs of pregnancy to look out for, and a missed period is just one of them. So while having irregular periods might make this one difficult to spot, all of the other signs of pregnancy are exactly the same, whether or not your cycles are irregular.
With this in mind, we’ve dug through the research and spoken to Dr. Charlsie Celestine, obstetrician and gynecologist, New Jersey, US, to learn more about the most common signs you can use to spot pregnancy when you have irregular periods. Read on for everything you need to know.
What makes a period irregular?
Before we dive into those telltale signs of pregnancy, let’s have a quick refresher on what makes a period irregular. To do this, it’s helpful to remind ourselves of what a period actually is.
A period is part of your menstrual cycle, which runs from the first day of one period to the first day of the next period. The menstrual cycle refers to the changes that take place in your body as it prepares for a possible pregnancy. This includes ovulation, which happens roughly midway through the cycle and is when one of your ovaries releases an egg, ready to be fertilized by a sperm. After the egg is released, hormonal changes cause the lining of the uterus to thicken, ready for the implantation of a potential embryo. If the egg isn’t fertilized, then the lining of the uterus will shed and is released through your vagina as your period.