What Can I Do About Irregular Periods
Are you experiencing periods twice in one month? Here are some healthy habits that will help you deal regulate your menstrual cycle:
- Eat lots of fruits and vegetables: Vitamin C and iron lost due to heavy bleeding can be recovered by eating green leafy vegetables like Swiss chard, broccoli and plenty of citrus fruits.
- Stay hydrated: To flush the body properly, make sure you drink plenty of water.
- Keep a period calendar: Keep a detailed journal showing the exact dates of your periods. This will help you prepare early and notice any irregular pattern.
- Do gentle but regular exercise: Do gentle daily workouts like stretching routines, calisthenics or long walks. Restorative yoga is also a good choice as it helps reduce premenstrual syndrome and relieve muscle cramping and tension.
- Take herbal remedies: Hormonal imbalance can be mildly relieved by herbal supplements such as sesame seeds and jiggery, ginger, and aloe vera.
Women who experience a period twice in one month regularlyshould consider medication, especially if it occurs for more than three months consecutively. Although a doctors advice is important to decide what kind of medication is best, oral contraceptives are commonly used in such cases. Remember to have your pelvic area examined regularly to ensure early diagnosis of any problems affecting your reproductive organs.
How Does A Doctor Determine The Causes Of Period Twice A Month
From head to toe, important regions that your doctor evaluates for determining the causes are:
A. Hypothalamus and Pituitary in the brain. These determine the levels of hormones to be secreted by the ovaries which then act upon the uterus. These hormonal levels are affected by genetics, stress, medication, and the presence of any tumour in these organs.
B. Thyroid gland is responsible for metabolism and changes in this can affect cycle regularity.
C. Ovaries Presence of any disease in the ovaries could cause irregular periods. The causes could be endometriosis, presence of ovarian cysts, polycystic ovaries etc.
D. Uterus A fibroid, adenomyosis, or any other abnormality in the structure can lead to bleeding that is more than normal.
E. Adrenals These too can lead to changes in cycle duration if they have a tumour or growth causing variation in hormonal levels.
F. Blood Bleeding disorders usually run in families and if someone has a tendency to bleed more than normal, they would be evaluated for the same.
G. Cancers Cancer of the uterus, cervix and ovary can result in more than regular cycles and this would be ruled out too.
H. Medication During the course of treatment with some particular medication too, one could have irregular cycles as a side effect.
Dr. Sangeetha Sivaraman spoke to our community about various topics related to periods and sex during our Period Coach Week. Watch her interesting talks here.
Use Of Hormonal Contraception
Bleeding between periods often happens when you start to take hormonal contraceptives. This is because your hormone levels drop. It is also called breakthrough bleeding, and usually happens about 2 weeks after your last period.
Breakthrough bleeding should stop after 1 or 2 months. Your periods will usually become more regular within 6 months. Bleeding between periods can also happen if you forget to take one of your oral contraceptive pills.
However, if bleeding occurs at other points during your menstrual cycle, you should consult your doctor in order to rule out the possibility of other conditions.
Other hormonal contraceptives such as hormone containing intra-uterine devices contraceptive injections or rods can also cause breakthrough bleeding or irregular periods. Sometimes this may be because the device isnt inserted properly, especially if its also painful. Check with your doctor as they may be able to give you medicine to control the bleeding and rule out other causes, like an infection.
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Your Cycle May Have Shifted Slightly But Variability Is Normal
This research really helps to validate what people experience if their cycle temporarily changed because of vaccination, says Dr. Edelman. Any kind of change for somebody might be disruptive or worrisome if you werent warned about it, right? And that’s where I think people who don’t necessarily menstruate don’t typically understand how that might be impactful. Missing your period by just one day, she says, could get your hopes up for pregnancy or cause worry if you werent trying to get pregnant.
It should be noted that the study didnt include people using hormonal birth control or those with polycystic ovary syndrome , thyroid disorders, or endometriosis all factors that can affect menstrual cycle length.
Edelman says that it seems like these changes in cycle length are temporary, although this data is preliminary. And even if your vaccine did change your cycle length significantly, its not a reason to worry or immediately make an appointment with your ob-gyn. Even seven to nine days of variation in cycle length is considered within the normal range, according to the most recent guidelines from the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics. We typically dont start working someone up until we see a three-month pattern , Edelman says.
You Have Precancerous Or Cancerous Cells
When found in either the uterus and cervix, precancerous and cancerous cells can cause irregular bleeding. Suffice it to say, a tumor growing on the cervix or uterus can bleed erratically, says Dr. Dweck. One study even found that irregular periods are more likely to lead to ovarian cancer, so early detection is key.
Incidence rates of gynecological cancer vary by race and ethnicitycervical cancer disproportionately impacts Hispanic women, while Black women and white women are more likely to develop uterine cancer, per the CDC.
What to do about it
These are diagnosed with an ultrasound and uterine biopsy, and a pap smear and cervix biopsies, respectively, so if youve ruled out other causes, get to an ob-gyn STAT.
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Why Did I Get My Period Twice In One Month
Before going into panic mode, do note that this occurrence is not entirely out of the ordinary, especially if you experience short periods. Adult cycles typically range from 24 to 38 days, according to Healthline, but every situation is unique.
“If you have two cycles in one month, it is possible for that to be completely normal,” says Kirsten Karchmer, founder of menstrual wellness company Brazen.
However, you’ll want to take note of any adjustments to your routine that could have contributed to the increased frequency.
“If its something thats never happened before, its likely due to some stressor or change,” Karchmer continues. “That could be a dietary change, a change in stress or a COVID vaccination, gaining weight, losing weight or changing your exercise. Read that as a signal as ‘my body is really speaking to me.'”
Given that we’re living in a difficult environment and have a global pandemic weighing on our “normal” lifestyle, Karchmer believes it’s necessary to find a meaningful stress management strategy. Not only will this enable you to handle external factors more effectively, but it’ll make that time of the month more manageable.
If stressors like weight fluctuation or dietary changes are not at play, health-related reasons could be the culprit. Per Flo and Healthline, conditions that might cause shorter cycles but more frequent bleeding include but are not limited to:
- Cysts
- Cervical complications
- Miscarriages
Period Twice In One Month: Is It Normal
It is completely normal. Your menstrual cycle starts on the first day of your current menstrual period and ends on the first day of the next period. When you start menstruating, your period length may vary. The average length of a menstrual cycle is 28 days. However, a cycle as long as 35 days or as short as 21 days is still normal. There is a possibility of having two periods in one month if you have a 21 day cycle. Most women have about 13 periods in a year meaning they have two periods in at least one month.
What is termed as normal menses varies for every individual. Your cycle can be the same length every month or irregular. Some people experience painful or pain-free, light or heavy and long or short periods but are still considered normal. The range is broad and, therefore, a normal cycle is what is normal for you.
It is also very normal to have irregular periods during your teen years. Irregular periods come either more than once a month or once every few months. Some girls get their periods more than once in some moths and then miss them for other months. This is just a way for the body to adapt to the changes that occur in a girls body as she grows up. However, your periods should become regular after a few years.
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Is It Normal To Have Your Period Twice In One Month
Guest over a year ago
I had unprotected sex three days into my period. One day after I had my period, I had unprotected sex again. Two days later I felt like my body was acting weird. So I tried researching early pregnancy symptoms and was told I had to wait at least one week after. Well one week later I started experiencing major cramps like I would normally experience before I start my period. A day later I started bleeding but it wasn’t the normal heavy bleeding but it wasn’t spotting either. Two days after the heavy cramps the pain severely decreased. Usually when I’m on my period the cramps goes on heavily for days until I take some pain killer, so it’s kind of weird that it’s like this. I know it’s probably too early to tell but could I be pregnant?? It’s kind of hard to tell because I haven’t really had any symptoms other than what I just said and what makes it weird is that if I am just having my period, is it normal to have your period twice in one month??
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What Causes Periods Every Two Weeks
Frequent menstruation can have a number of underlying roots, including hormonal and other causes. They include the following:
Hormonal Causes
Getting a period every two weeks is commonly caused by imbalanced levels of estrogen and progesterone. This frequently occurs during menopause as the ovaries transition into their non-fertile stage, causing drastic fluctuations of key reproductive hormones.
Other Causes
Polymenorrhea can also be caused by various medical conditions as well as certain lifestyle habits, such as the following:
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Drastic weight loss
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Going off or starting a new type of hormonal contraception
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Obesity, especially if related to polycystic ovary syndrome
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Benign uterine abnormalities, such as endometriosis and uterine fibroids
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Certain types of cancer
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Period Twice In One Month
A womans body goes through a series of changes every month in preparation for a possible pregnancy. This process is called the menstrual cycle. About once every month, the uterus prepares itself for a fertilized egg by growing a new lining also known as endometrium. Hormonal changes prepare the uterus for pregnancy simultaneously. In the event that there is no fertilized egg to initiate pregnancy, the uterus lining sheds off. This is termed as the menstrual period that occurs in women from teenage to menopause at about 50 years of age. However, there are times when women can get their period twice in one month. Read on to find out more about this phenomenon.
When To See A Gp
You don’t need to get medical advice if you have always had slightly irregular periods or you’re still going through puberty.
But see a GP if:
- your periods suddenly become irregular and you’re under 45
- you have periods more often than every 21 days or less often than every 35 days
- your periods last longer than 7 days
- there’s a big difference between your shortest and longest menstrual cycle
- you have irregular periods and you’re struggling to get pregnant
There might not be anything wrong, but it’s a good idea to get checked out to see what the cause might be.
You might be referred to a specialist called a gynaecologist if you need any tests or treatment.
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Two Periods In One Month: Are Multiple Periods A Reason To Worry
Normal menstrual cycles range from 21 to 35 days. However, its not uncommon to experience monthly variations in menstrual cycles. Some cycles may be shorter and others longer, which means its possible to have 2 periods in a month.
In most cases, getting a period twice a month has a simple explanation. If it happens repeatedly, however, its important to take notice of any signs and symptoms. Read on to learn why two periods may happen in the same month.
You Have Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
Polycystic ovary syndrome is a hormonal condition in which your reproductive hormones become imbalanced. Irregular bleeding is a common symptom of this condition.
Getting your period twice in one month usually isnt anything to worry about if it happens just once or you know you have a shorter cycle. But if this is happening repeatedly each month and is different from your normal cycle, youll want to see your healthcare provider to find out whats going on.
If you would like to meet with a knowledgeable doctor, consider contacting Womens Health Arizona. As Arizonas largest ObGyn group, were trained and solely dedicated to delivering the best ObGyn experience in convenient and comfortable settings around Phoenix.
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What Causes Irregular Period
Menstrual cycle irregularities such as having period twice in one month can be due to various factors. Here are some of the causes:
- Premature ovarian failure: Premature ovarian failure or primary ovarian insufficiency is described as the loss of normal ovarian function before 40 years of age. It can cause infrequent periods over a number of years.
- Polycystic ovary syndrome: This is a common hormonal disorder that can cause small cysts to form on the ovaries, leading to irregular periods.
- Pelvic inflammatory disease: This is an infection of the reproductive organs that can cause irregular menstrual periods.
- Uterine fibroids: These are noncancerous growths that occur in the uterus. Heavy periods and bleeding between periods can be due to uterine fibroids.
- Pregnancy or breastfeeding: Missed or delayed periods can be a sign of pregnancy. After pregnancy, breastfeeding normally delays the resumption of menstruation.
- Extreme weight loss, eating disorders or excessive exercising: Menstruation can be disrupted by extreme weight loss, eating disorders like anorexia nervosa or increased physical activity.
- Thyroid problems: The uterine lining can thicken as a result of thyroid diseases and in turn cause more bleeding.
- Stress: Stress due to financial worries, arguments, or even exams can change your menstrual cycle temporarily.