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Read Dr. Elena Krasnov's Weekly Column in the Health & Fitness section of the 24 Hours Magazine. Look for new articles every week!

Monday, November 17, 2008

Pregnancy without a Period

Q: Dear Elena, I do not have regular cycles and my husband and I are trying to conceive. Is it true that we can get pregnant without having a menstrual cycle? Can I regulate it naturally?

A: Menstrual cycle can be regular or irregular but you always have a cycle of some sort unless you are in menopause or you have stopped ovulating and there for stopped bleeding due to some sort of serious disease. Women who have low body fat, often stop having menstrual cycle due to lack of hormone production such as some athletes who may suffer from anorexia. Chemotherapy treatments frequently can put a woman into chemical menopause, which can be either temporary or permanent depending on the state of health at the time of treatment.

Otherwise, it is possible to get pregnant when not bleeding. In the menstrual cycle, a woman ovulates (releases an egg from her ovary into the fallopian tube) BEFORE she has her period. In the weeks before ovulation, the uterus builds up the lining of the uterus to make a place for the fertilized egg to attach to and grow on. When a released egg (usually about 14 days into the cycle) is not fertilized by sperm, the lining then is shed, causing bleeding (the "period") if the egg is fertilized, then no period will happen. So if it is the first menstrual cycle ever (or the cycle is resuming after childbirth), and the egg gets fertilized (i.e. you have unprotected sex with ejaculation) then you will not see bleeding (a period) as the fertilized egg has implanted and the lining of the uterus is being used. If you are unsure, or think you are pregnant, see a health care practitioner for diagnosis and options.

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Dr. Elena Krasnov is a registered Naturopathic Doctor and Clinic Director of the Toronto Naturopathic Clinic. Submit your questions online at 24hrs.ca

Co-written by Miranda Tallon-Malisani Holistic Nutritionist