Irregular periods and hormone imbalance

Irregular Periods and Fertility: Causes, Symptoms, and Natural Treatment

Irregular Periods Are Common — And They Matter

At TCM Healthcare, many of our patients come to us because they have irregular periods or missing periods. They often report symptoms such as:

• Unpredictable menstrual cycles
• Skipped ovulation or no ovulation
• Vaginal dryness
• Hot flashes and night sweats
• Spotting or prolonged bleeding
• Mood swings and fatigue
• Low libido

These are not just cycle inconveniences — they are signs of hormonal imbalance, and they often affect a woman’s ability to conceive naturally.

What Causes Irregular Periods?

The most common cause of irregular periods is hormonal imbalance.
Research shows that hormone levels directly control:

• Menstrual cycle length
• Ovulation timing
• Egg development and release
• Overall fertility health

Many patients already know they have a hormonal issue from past blood tests. Others discover it after consulting us.

Two Major Hormonal Imbalances Behind Irregular or Missing Periods

1. High FSH and Low Oestradiol

This is one of the most common hormonal patterns we see:

• High FSH (above 25 IU/L) is strongly associated with missing or erratic periods.
• It often occurs alongside low oestradiol, which indicates poor ovarian response.

2. PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome)

PCOS is another leading cause of irregular periods. It is a hormone-related condition that often goes undiagnosed or misdiagnosed.

• Women with PCOS usually have high levels of AMH and/or testosterone.
• Many are told their test results are normal, even when they point clearly to PCOS.

We explain this in detail in our blog on PCOS, including why AMH and testosterone are often misunderstood.

Other hormonal issues that may disrupt your period:

• High prolactin, which can stop ovulation
• Thyroid imbalances (both hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism)

Can Stress Cause Irregular or Missed Periods?

Yes. Scientific studies and clinical experience both show that stress can shut down your menstrual cycle.

Chronic or extreme stress suppresses the hormones that control ovulation and menstruation. This can lead to:

• Longer cycles
• No periods (amenorrhea)
• Ovulation failure
• Hormonal burnout

Many of our patients with no periods for months or years describe stressful events — such as grief, burnout, or overwork — right before their cycles stopped.

Do Irregular Periods Mean I’m in Menopause?

Not always — and not necessarily.

Many women with irregular periods are told they are entering premature ovarian failure (also called early menopause), especially when their FSH is high. But in our clinic, we often find:

• The women are under age 40
• They still get periods, but irregularly (every 2–3 months)
• The diagnosis may be premature or incorrect

True menopause is defined as no periods for 12 consecutive months, and it typically occurs around age 51. Being diagnosed prematurely — especially without full clinical evidence — can cause unnecessary anxiety.

Some women are offered hormone replacement therapy (HRT) or advised to use donor eggs, even when they still have natural cycles and ovarian activity.

Why Irregular Periods Matter for Fertility

Irregular periods are often a sign of hormonal imbalance, which affects:

• Egg quality – the most important factor in female fertility
• Ovulation frequency and timing – if you’re not ovulating, you can’t conceive
• Vaginal health and libido – dryness and low libido can reduce intimacy and make intercourse uncomfortable

The bottom line: Irregular periods are both a symptom of and a contributor to reduced fertility.

Can Irregular Periods Be Treated?

1. Western Medical Treatment for Irregular Periods

Conventional treatment options include:

• Hormonal contraceptives (like the pill or IUDs) to regulate cycles
• Ovulation-inducing medications like Provera or Clomid

These may create regular bleeding, but they:

• Do not correct underlying hormonal imbalance
• Do not improve egg quality
• Are not suitable for women trying to conceive
• Provide temporary fixes rather than lasting solutions

2. Do Supplements Help Regulate Periods?

Many patients try fertility supplements before coming to us. Common issues we see:

• Patients taking multiple supplements (often 10 or more) without supervision
• No improvement in hormone test results or symptoms
• In some cases, symptoms like irregular bleeding worsen after starting supplements

There is no strong scientific evidence that supplements alone can correct significant hormone imbalances or restore regular ovulation.

Our Natural Treatment Approach: Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)

At TCM Healthcare, we take a different approach.

We focus on restoring hormonal balance and improving egg quality through traditional Chinese herbal medicine — a system that looks at the body as a whole, not just isolated hormone levels.

Here’s how we treat irregular periods naturally:

1. We start with hormone testing
   Patients bring us recent hormone blood tests (or we refer them for testing). These include FSH, LH, oestradiol, AMH, prolactin, and thyroid hormones.
2. We identify imbalances
   The test results show us exactly which hormones are out of sync. We also take a detailed history — including cycle patterns, period pain, sleep, energy, mood, libido, and stress.
3. We prescribe herbal formulas
   Based on TCM diagnosis and test results, we create personalized herbal prescriptions to restore hormonal rhythm and support ovarian function.
4. We track results over time
   After a few months of treatment, patients retest their hormones and often report:
   • More regular periods
   • Better energy, sleep, and mood
   • Improved libido
   • Return of ovulation
   • Natural conception

In over 80% of cases, we see measurable improvements in hormone levels and period patterns.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

❓Can irregular periods affect my fertility?

Yes. Irregular or missing periods often mean that ovulation is not happening regularly — or at all. This reduces the chances of natural conception. Irregular periods are usually caused by hormonal imbalances that can also affect egg quality, a key factor in female fertility.

❓Is it possible to get pregnant with irregular periods?

Yes, it’s possible — but it may be more difficult. When ovulation is unpredictable or infrequent, timing intercourse becomes harder. Improving hormone balance can help regulate ovulation and improve your chances of conceiving naturally.

❓What hormone imbalances cause irregular periods?

The most common hormone imbalances linked to irregular cycles are:

• High FSH and low oestradiol (linked to ovarian aging)
• High AMH and testosterone (common in PCOS)
• High prolactin
• Thyroid dysfunction (both underactive and overactive)

Each can disrupt ovulation and menstrual regularity.

❓Can stress stop my period?

Yes. High or prolonged stress can suppress the brain’s reproductive hormones, sometimes stopping ovulation and periods altogether. This is known as hypothalamic amenorrhea. In our clinic, many patients with no periods also report major life stress or trauma.

❓How do you treat irregular periods naturally?

At TCM Healthcare, we use traditional Chinese herbal medicine tailored to your hormone profile and symptoms. By improving hormonal balance — especially FSH, oestradiol, and AMH — we help restore regular cycles, ovulation, and fertility.

❓Do supplements help regulate periods?

There is little strong evidence that over-the-counter supplements can correct significant hormone imbalances or restore ovulation. Many patients who try multiple supplements still have irregular periods. In some cases, symptoms worsen due to unmonitored combinations.

❓Does having irregular periods mean I’m in menopause?

Not always. Many women under 40 are told they are in early menopause based on high FSH levels — but they may still have occasional periods and functioning ovaries. True menopause is defined as 12 consecutive months without a period.

❓How long does it take to regulate periods naturally?

Every case is different, but in our experience, most patients see noticeable improvements in hormone levels and cycle regularity within 3–6 months of starting herbal treatment. Many go on to conceive naturally once their cycles return.

For more patient stories, please visit our testimonials page.

Our protocol is to obtain up-to-date hormone test results first. These tell us what exactly the problems are — which hormones are out of sync. They also serve as baseline measures for patients to check progress after a few months of treatment. In over 80% of cases, our patients’ hormones improved and their periods came back, or got better, as a result. By definition, their egg quality also improved and many went on to have successful natural pregnancies. You can read some of their stories here. For more stories about our patients, please click testimonials.