What Affects The Length Of Your Period
Even after you have passed through those teen years, your cycle can still change and so can the length of your period. Tons of different factors can affect how heavy your period is, how much pain it causes, and how long it lasts.
Here are just a few:
1. Hormonal contraceptives
Using hormonal birth control, like the pill, patch, vaginal ring, IUD, or implant, can affect the number of days your period lasts.56
It takes a while for your body to adjust to a new form of birth control, but many users will experience shorter or lighter periods over time. Why? Because the synthetic hormones in these products are designed to overpower and override hormones that your body normally produces to regulate your menstrual cycle.
For example, the estrogen in the combined contraceptive pill, which contains both estrogen and progestin, tricks the uterus lining to build up much less than it would naturally. This means that the lining to be shed during the placebo week is much thinner than normal.
Another interesting fact? Your period when on birth control pills is actually known as breakthrough bleeding and its different from your usual period. Learn more about breakthrough bleeding in this blog post.
In addition, certain progesterone-only birth control methods, like progesterone-containing IUDs, contraceptive implants, and injectable contraceptives , can shorten the number of days you have your period or even eliminate it altogether.6
2. Day-to-day stress
3. Underlying illnesses
How Does My Menstrual Cycle Change As I Get Older
Your cycles may change in different ways as you get older. Often, periods are heavier when you are younger and usually get lighter in your 20s and 30s. This is normal.
- For a few years after your first period, menstrual cycles longer than 38 days are common. Girls usually get more regular cycles within three years of starting their periods. If longer or irregular cycles last beyond that, see your doctor or nurse to rule out a health problem, such as polycystic ovary syndrome .5
- In your 20s and 30s, your cycles are usually regular and can last anywhere from 24 to 38 days.
- In your 40s, as your body starts the transition to menopause, your cycles might become irregular. Your menstrual periods might stop for a month or a few months and then start again. They also might be shorter or last longer than usual, or be lighter or heavier than normal.
Talk to your doctor or nurse if you have menstrual cycles that are longer than 38 days or shorter than 24 days, or if you are worried about your menstrual cycle.
How Can You Tell Your Dog Is In Heat
As a pet parent, its important to know how to recognize the signs of a dog in heat. Dogs in heat require special care, and there are telltale signs that can help you spot a dog in heat. If your dog is in heat, you may notice both physical and behavioral signs.
Frequent urination is one of the signs of a dog in heat. Dogs in heat tend to urinate more than usual, so theres a chance your dog may be in heat if theyre suddenly urinating everywhere.
You may also notice that your dog has swollen vulva as well as the presence of a blood-tinged discharge. These are common symptoms for dogs to experience during the estrous cycle, so your dog may be in heat if you notice these symptoms.
As far as behavior goes, you may notice several changes in your dog. Dogs who are in heat may seem nervous or distracted, and theyre typically more receptive to male dogs than they normally would be. You may notice that your dog is initiating sexual contact by raising her rear into the air and moving her tail to one side. This is known as flagging. Your dog may exhibit this sort of behavior around male dogs until their heat cycle is over.2
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Can A Girl Get Pregnant As Soon As Her Period Starts
Yes, a girl can get pregnant as soon as her period starts. A girl can even get pregnant right before her very first period. This is because a girl’s hormones might already be active. The hormones may have led to and the building of the uterine wall. If a girl has sex, she can get pregnant, even though she has never had a period.
How Often Do Dogs Get Their Periods
As a rule, dogs go through the heat cycle twice a year or every 5-6 months. However, the exact timeframe is variable and depends on the dogs size and breed. Small dogs can go into heat three times a year, while giant breeds can enter a heat cycle only once a year.
When your dog matures, her heat cycles will occur somewhat irregularly. However, theres no need for concern. It might take your dog a year or more to develop a regular heat cycle.
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When To Get Checked Out
Normal cycles last between 24 to 35 days. Some teens might have shorter cycles of only 21 days, and others might go as long as 45 days between periods. Adults can have a range of between 21 to 35 days. See a doctor if your cycle falls outside of these ranges. Also, if youve been menstruating for more than two years and your period hasnt become regular, visit a healthcare provider.
Being sick or under stress can cause a delayed period or for you to skip it altogether. However, if you miss a period and are sexually active, definitely get checked out for a possible pregnancy. Also, visit a healthcare professional about your period if:
- You havent gotten your first period by age 15
- You dont menstruate for more than 90 days
- Your periods start to be very irregular after having previously been regular
- Your period lasts for more than seven days
What To Do If The Dog Does Not Come On Heat
Friends, many times, this problem occurs mainly in female dogs. That is, they do not get periods that he does not come on heat. Even if periods come, I do not know. This makes it difficult for them to meet a male dog and conceive.
We will tell you about some ayurvedic and homeopathic medicines, the use of which will go a long way in bringing your female dog in heat.
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When Do Dogs Start Getting Their Period
Unsprayed female dogs go into their first heat cycle at about 6-12 months old. However, some dogs reach puberty as late as 24 months old.
As a rule, the larger the dog, the later she will mature. For example, a German Shepherd is likely to get her first heat cycle later than a Pug.
Dogs dont go through menopause like humans do and will experience a heat cycle throughout their whole lives unless they get sprayed. The heat cycles, though, will become less frequent with age.
Youre Experiencing An Ectopic Pregnancy
An unusually heavy period can be a sign of an ectopic pregnancy , says Dr. Horton. Taking a pregnancy test can help you figure out if that’s what’s going on.
If you have a positive pregnancy test and have pain and vaginal bleeding, you should be evaluated, she says. Your doctor will get blood work and a pelvic ultrasound to see where the pregnancy is located and, if it is ectopic, treat it with medicine or surgery. Unfortunately, it’s not safe for a mother to carry an ectopic pregnancy.
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What Is A Normal Period
A normal period is different for every woman. Each month, one of your ovaries releases an egg. Meanwhile, your uterus gets ready to help your baby grow if that egg gets fertilized. If it does, youâre pregnant. If it doesnât, your body sheds the lining of your uterus through your . Thatâs your period. It happens, on average, every 28 days.
Think about how old you were when you got your first period. Now think about how old you may be when you enter menopause. Your body and life will change a lot from one to the other, right? So does your menstrual cycle.
When it comes to periods, “normal” covers a lot of ground. Use the broad range of factors below as a guide. And remember: The only true normal is what’s normal for you.
Youre Under A Lot Of Stress
The bodys reaction to stress can change the levels of many hormones that cause your period to last longer than necessary, says Dr. Horton.
Stress can cause delayed ovulation, causing your period to start later than expected, which can make your periods longer and heavier than usual, she explains. Identifying and eliminating stressors in your life will help regulate your periods over time. Meditation, getting enough sleep, and regular exercise are also effective ways to manage stress.
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Youre Actually Pregnant And Have Placenta Previa
This type of heavy vaginal bleeding is actually unrelated to a period, though you might think it is one if you don’t yet know you’re pregnant. Placenta previa is a condition that happens during pregnancy where the placenta covers the cervix, explains Dr. Horton.
Patients will usually have heavy vaginal bleeding throughout their pregnancy and will need to deliver their baby by C-section. Take a pregnancy test and see your doctor to figure out the best treatment method.
How To Get Your First Period Faster
If you want to get your period faster, then these are some tips that could help
- Try having regular exercise
- Ask friends and people around you about any help you could get
- Use vitamin C. Vitamin C reduces progesterone level resulting in bleeding
- Have regular intercourse
- Take some exercise and reduce your stress level
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Should You Spay Your Dog
You should definitely consider spaying your dog if :
- Shes older than 2 years old. Age affects a dogs reproductive system and can cause problems with fertility, including pain from cysts or tumors.
- Her owners dont want to take responsibility to raise a puppy. Often, young mothers are nervous about being away from their puppies for long periods of time, since thats when accidents can occur.
- Shes been bred multiple times already.
How Long Does Your First Period Last
If you are seeing your period for the first time, you may be worried about its length. Here are some tips to guide about your period
- Your first period may be light or heavy
- It takes time about 6 years for your body hormones and period to normalize. You may have a short period or very light period initially but this normalizes with time
- Period length may be irreabnormal
- If you continuously have frequent period or heavy period requiring you change you period every hour, then you may have a problem
- Do you feel severe pain that prevents your daily activity? It is dysmenorrhea or painful period. You should inform your doctor for available pain relief methods during menstruation.
- You may be asking yourself why is my period late? However, because your period is not steady, it may be irregular initially.
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Irregular Menstrual Cycle And Bleeding
Some abnormalities during the reproductive years might include polyps, fibroids as well as anovulation , endometriosis andless commontumors/growths. Bleeding can also be a symptom of infection such as endometritis orpelvic inflammatory disease.
Remember, not all bleeding and irregularity is a cause for concern. For example, it is very common to have irregular bleeding with some contraception methods. Stress and other issues can also cause changes to your cycle from time to time.
Also, many women in the 20s and 30s experience painful menstrual cramps. You can treat cramps with over-the-counter pain relievers or heating pads. Here are some other ways to fight back at painful periods.
How Long Is A Typical Menstrual Cycle
The typical menstrual cycle is 28 days long, but each woman is different.2 Also, a womans menstrual cycle length might be different from month-to-month. Your periods are still regular if they usually come every 24 to 38 days.3 This means that the time from the first day of your last period up to the start of your next period is at least 24 days but not more than 38 days.
Some womens periods are so regular that they can predict the day and time that their periods will start. Other women are regular but can only predict the start of their period within a few days.
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Why Do Girls Get Periods
A period happens because of changes in hormones in the body. Hormones give messages to the body. These hormones cause the lining of the uterus to build up. This gets the uterus ready for an egg and sperm to attach and grow into a baby. If the woman does not get pregnant, the lining breaks down and bleeds. This same process happens every month. That is why most girls and women get their periods around once a month.
Dont Stress About The Length Of Your Period
Most of the time, a longer- or shorter-than-normal period is nothing to worry about, especially if its just a one-time thing. However: Its a good idea to track your cycle and keep an eye on anything unusual, especially if your period changes in more than one way .
If your period gets longer, heavier, and more painful, thats a definite sign that you should talk to your healthcare provider. Same goes if your period disappears altogether, your cycle becomes suddenly irregular or if you notice blood clots larger than a quarter.
If youve always had long periods like, on the 7-day end of the spectrum and theyre getting in the way of your day-to-day life, you might also consider talking to your provider to investigate potential solutions. This is sometimes necessary for individuals with demanding jobs or work schedules that make coping with a period more difficult .
No matter how long your period lasts, its probably not your favorite thing about your body. But just remember this: Your period is a vital sign, and its arrival each month means that your reproductive system is functioning as it should. So, give your uterus a little extra love and appreciation, grab a period product you love and go enjoy that bubble bath!
This article is informational only and is not offered as medical advice, nor does it substitute for a consultation with your physician. If you have any gynecological/medical concerns or conditions, please consult your physician.
References
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Your Period On The Hormonal Iud
While using the hormonal IUD, itâs common to experience irregular bleeding or lighter bleeding, and some people donât bleed at all . This happens because the endometrium doesnât thicken as much as it does when youâre not using hormonal birth control. This typically results in lighter or occasionally absent bleeding, especially for people who have been using the hormonal IUD for many months or years .
What Is The Menstrual Cycle
The menstrual cycle is the monthly hormonal cycle a females body goes through to prepare for pregnancy. Your menstrual cycle is counted from the first day of your period up to the first day of your next period. Your hormone levels usually change throughout the menstrual cycle and can cause menstrual symptoms.
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How Long Does A Period Usually Last
Its considered normal for periods to last 27 days, although theyre most often 35 days long. The volume of blood loss is considered normal at an average of 3080 milliliters .
If a period lasts more than eight days or if blood loss seems to be more than 80 milliliters, its considered heavy menstrual bleeding. Unless you use a menstrual cup that has measurement lines on it, its pretty hard to know exactly how much youre bleeding, so here are some signs to watch for:
- Blood clots the size of a quarter or larger
- Soaking through a period product every hour for several hours
- Needing to change period products in the middle of the night
- Feeling fatigued or a loss of energy
These are the main causes of prolonged bleeding:
- Uterine problems
- Bleeding disorders
- Hormonal imbalance
Its important to see your health care provider if you experience heavy and prolonged periods so you can figure out whats causing it.
You’re On Hormonal Birth Control
Anything that manipulates your hormones has the potential to make your periods longer, says Dr. Toth. This includes all types of hormonal birth control like the pill, patches, rings, shots, and implants. The good news is that there are lots of options with varying levels and types of hormones, so if your body doesn’t respond well to one type or dosage, there’s a good chance you can find a different one that will work.
The length of your period is just one factor your doctor will use to help you determine which type of birth control works best for you.
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Know Whats Normal For You
Keep track of your periods with an app or a simple paper calendar. Take note of the rate of flow and when it shows up, so youll spot any changes right away.
Finally, see your gynecologist regularly and discuss your periods during your appointments. If anything seems weird to you, bring it up.
Your period is a clue to whats going on with your reproductive health, Dr. Higgins says. Your doctor wants to know the details so we can help you stay healthy.