What If My Menstrual Cycle Is Way Different Than Average
There are lots of potential reasons for having an irregular period, and most of them are no big deal. Check out this article to find outâ¯more. If youâre worried, you can always tell a trusted adult or your doctor to help get to the bottom of why your period is irregular and what you can do about it.
How This Formula Works
As you probably know, Microsoft Excel stores dates as serial numbers starting on 1-Jan-1900, which is represented by the number 1. In this system, 2-Jan-1900 is stored as the number 2, 3-Jan-1900 as 3, and so on. So, when subtracting one date from another, you actually subtract the integers representing those dates.
In our example, the formula in C3, subtracts 43226 from 43309 and returns a result of 83 days.
The beauty of this method is that it works perfectly in all cases, no matter which date is older and which is newer. If you are subtracting a later date from an earlier date, like in row 5 in the screenshot above, the formula returns a difference as a negative number.
What Happens During Ovulation
Ovulation is the release of an egg from the ovaries. A woman is born with all her eggs.
Once she starts her periods, 1 egg develops and is released during each menstrual cycle. After ovulation, the egg lives for 24 hours.
Pregnancy happens if a man’s sperm meet and fertilise the egg. Sperm can survive in the fallopian tubes for up to 7 days after sex.
Occasionally, more than 1 egg is released during ovulation. If more than 1 egg is fertilised it can lead to a multiple pregnancy, such as twins.
A woman can’t get pregnant if ovulation doesn’t occur. Some methods of hormonal contraception such as the combined pill, the contraceptive patch and the contraceptive injection work by stopping ovulation.
Also Check: What To Do To Relieve Period Cramps
What Does A Period Feel Like
Some women will have pain in their belly . This can be a crampy pain or just a mild ache. You may have lower backache on its own or with the pain in your belly. The pain can often be stronger on the first day or two of your period and will vary in strength and severity from one women to another. Some women also have a headache or feel very tired just before their period arrives or on the first day. Mood changes, teariness and easily losing your temper can sometimes be an indicator that you are getting your period, this is referred to as premenstrual syndrome or premenstrual tension . For some women this can be so overwhelming that they are unable to go about their normal lives. Any symptoms that you find hard to manage should be investigated with your GP.
Many women have no symptoms at all. It is not uncommon for women to notice that they have their period only after they have gone to the toilet and found that there is blood on their underpants or on their toilet paper.
Even without overwhelming symptoms, some women still find it comforting to simply take time out when they get their period, and cuddle up with a hot water bottle.
Adolescent girls and women can both experience skin changes and pimples with their periods.
How Long A Period Lasts
Because all girls are different, menstrual periods can vary from girl to girl. One girl might have a three-day period and another girl might have a seven-day period. It might take several years for a girl’s period to become regular. One month the period might last four days, whereas the next month it might be six days.
Some women experience irregular periods for several years and might not ever be “regular.” Some healthcare providers will prescribe birth control pills to help regulate your menstrual cycle. Talk to your practitioner to find out how you can regulate your cycle if it is irregular.
You May Like: How To Make Your Period Stop For A Day
Count Days Between Dates With Excel Days Function
The users of Excel 2013 and Excel 2016 have one more amazingly simple way to calculate days between two dates – the DAYS function.
Please pay attention that compared to DATEDIF, a DAYS formula requires the arguments in the reverse order:
So, our formula takes the following shape:
=DAYS
Like subtraction, it returns the difference as a positive or negative number, depending on whether the end date is greater or smaller than the start date:
What Are Regular Periods
Most girls get their first period between the ages of 10 and 15, but some get it earlier and some later. The first period is known as menarche .
A girl’s monthly cycle is the number of days from the start of her period to the start of the next time she gets her period. You often hear this is a 28-day cycle. But 28 is just an average figure that doctors use. Cycle lengths vary some are 24 days, some are 34 days. And a girl may notice that her cycles are different lengths each month especially for the few years after she first starts getting her period.
Early in a girl’s cycle, her ovaries start preparing one egg. At the same time, the lining of the uterus becomes thick to prepare a nesting place for a fertilized egg in the event that the girl becomes pregnant.
About 2 weeks before a girl gets her period, the egg is released from the ovary . The egg travels through the fallopian tube into the uterus. If the egg isn’t fertilized by sperm, it starts to fall apart. Then the lining and egg leave a girl’s body as her period and the whole thing starts all over again that’s why we use the word “cycle.” The first day a girl’s period comes is Day 1 of her cycle.
It’s also normal for the number of days a girl has her period to vary. Sometimes a girl may bleed for 2 days, sometimes it may last a week. That’s because the level of hormones the body makes can be different from one cycle to the next, and this affects the amount and length of bleeding.
You May Like: Dental Insurance Missouri No Waiting Period
How Is Abnormal Menstruation Treated
The treatment of abnormal menstruation depends on the underlying cause:
There are other procedural options which can help heavy menstrual bleeding. A five-year contraceptive intrauterine device , called Mirena®, has been approved to help lessen bleeding, and can be as effective as surgical procedures such as endometrial ablation. This is inserted in the doctors office with minimal discomfort, and also offers contraception. Endometrial ablation is another option. It uses heat or electrocautery to destroy the lining of the uterus. It is usually only used when other therapies have been tried and failed. This is because scars from the procedure can make monitoring the uterus more difficult if bleeding persists in the future.
How Do I Keep Track Of My Periods Each Month
Posted
The easiest way to keep track of your periods is to write down when they start and when they stop. Some girls like to keep a small calendar in their purse so they can mark the days of the month when they have their period . This can help you anticipate when you will likely get your period the following month. Remember the first day you begin to bleed is the first day of your menstrual cycle. On average, bleeding will usually last 3-5 days but can range from 2-7 days.
To figure out the length of your cycle, begin counting on the first day of bleeding , until the first day of your next period. The average menstrual cycle is about 28 days, but it can vary quite a bit. The range for adult women is every 21-35 days and for young women, the menstrual cycle can range from every 21-45 days.
Keeping track of your periods is a good way to see if theres a pattern to your menstrual cycle. Bring your calendar with you when you see your health care provider.
Read Also: Does The Depo Shot Stop Periods
What Common Symptoms Are Linked To The Menstrual Cycle
Some women have no pain or other problems. But other women have symptoms before and during their periods.
For about a week before a period, many women have some premenstrual symptoms. You may feel more tense or angry. You may gain water weight and feel bloated. Your breasts may feel tender. You may get acne. You also may have less energy than usual. A day or two before your period, you may start having pain in your belly, back, or legs. These symptoms go away during the first days of a period.
When your ovary releases an egg in the middle of your cycle, you may have pain in your lower belly. You also might have red spotting for less than a day. Both are normal.
How To Know When Youre Ovulating
Knowing when you ovulate can help you plan for sex at the right time and improve your chance of getting pregnant. You can keep track of your menstrual cycles on a chart, in a diary, or on a free period-tracker app on your smartphone.
To work out the length of your menstrual cycle, record the first day you start bleeding . This is day 1. The last day of your cycle is the day before your next period begins.
-
Some people think the menstrual cycle and a period are the same thing.
A period is when you bleed .
A menstrual cycle starts on the day when a period starts and ends the day before the next period. A cycles length is considered normal if its between 21 and 35 days. They can vary between women and from one cycle to the next.
- Working out your average menstrual cycle length
If your menstrual cycles are different lengths you can work out your average cycle length.
The number of days in a womans menstrual cycle can vary month to month. Periods are not always regular. It can be useful to work out an average cycle length, based on the length of three menstrual cycles, to estimate when youre most likely to be ovulating.
If you add the number of days in three cycles and divide the total number by three, it gives you your average cycle length.
Example
Sarah tracked her last three menstrual cycles by counting the time from the first day of one period, to the day before the next period.
Cycle 1 was 28 days Cycle 2 was 32 days Cycle 3 was 27 days
28 + 32 + 27 = 87
Don’t Miss: What Happens If You Miss Your Period
What Is An Irregular Period
Irregular periods typically refer to the number of days between cycles counting from day 1 of your period to day 1 of the next period. Day 1 is traditionally the first day of actual flow. It’s normal to have anywhere between 21 and 35 days between periods.
Your period is irregular if:
- It comes more frequently than 21 days
- The length of your cycles varies greatly
- You go 35 days or more between periods
For example, if one cycle is 25 days, but another is 33 days, your cycles would be considered irregular .
It can also be normal for your cycles to vary by a few days from month to month. For example, your cycle could be 33 days one month and 35 days the next and not be cause for concern.
What If I Skip A Period
If you miss your period, it could be because of a change in your body or in your life. If you are under stress, youve been sick, you are exercising a lot, or youve lost weight, you may skip a period. It is common to skip a period once in a while, especially during the first year that you are getting it. However, if you are having unprotected sexual intercourse or close sexual contact, or if your birth control method has failed, it could also mean that you are pregnant. If you think you may be pregnant, it is very important to see your HCP. If you skip many periods, you should talk to your healthcare provider and see why this is happening.
Also Check: Can I Go To The Obgyn On My Period
Watch This Video And Get The Answers To All The Questions You Have About Your First Period
How do I know when my next period is due?
Now that you know how to calculate your average cycle length, you can figure out when your next period is due.
To do this, start on the first day of your last period and count out the number of days in your average cycle. Thatâs the projected start date of your next period.
Is there a way to do this without all the maths?
Wish there were a way of figuring out when your next period is without all the counting and maths? Good news – The ALWAYS period calculator will do this for you.All you have to do is mark down when your period started and ended each month, and the calculator does the rest.
How often should I get my period?
A typical menstrual cycle is 28 days. This means that most people will get their period about every 28 days. In reality, that 28 number actually varies from girl to girl. A normal cycle can be anywhere between 21 and 35 days.
Will my periods come regularly at the beginning?
When you start having your period, it might be hard to define when your next period is due, even if you know how to calculate your cycle.
This is because your first periods might be unpredictable. The good news is that, after a year or so, your menstrual cycle tends to become fairly regular.
And then, once you know how many days are in your average cycle, itâs really easy to calculate when your next period will come.
Why should I care when my next period will be?
How Irregular Periods Affect Fertility
Because an irregular period sometimes means a person is not ovulating, very long or short cycles could be a sign of a hormonal imbalance that may make it difficult to conceive.
However, it is not necessarily the case that someone with irregular periods will not get pregnant, or that someone with regular periods will. The
Don’t Miss: My Period Is 15 Days Late
What Does Your Menstrual Cycle Say About Your Fertility
03/08/2021
One of the most common questions OB/GYNs have for their patients is When was the first day of your last period?. The answer to this question may feel like part of the usual routine at your annual OB/GYN appointment. If you have been trying to conceive without success, the answer could provide important insight into factors central to the menstrual cycle and conception such as hormonal imbalances and ovulation.