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.
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.
Uterine Polyps Or Fibroids
Uterine polyps happen when endometrial tissue grows on the lining of the uterus. Fibroids, similarly, are growths of fibrous tissue and muscle in the wall of the uterus.
Both fibroids and polyps can cause periods to be heavy, full of clots, and last longer than a week.
These tend to occur in people around 35 to 50 years old, or who are in perimenopause.
Other symptoms of fibroids include:
- pelvic pressure
If you think you might have endometriosis, set up an appointment with your doctor for further evaluation.
How Soon Can I Get Pregnant After Coming Off The Pill
You can get pregnant as soon as you come off the pill but if youre trying to get pregnant, its a good idea to wait until youve had a natural period. This will give your body time to adjust and give you a chance to make sure youre ready for pregnancy. Make use of our pregnancy planning tool to see what else you can do.
Recommended Reading: How Do You Know If Your Period Is Coming
Youre Medically Overweight Or Obese
Obesity can affect your menstrual cycle, says Dr. Horton, because larger bodies produce excess estrogen, which can affect how often you have your periods and eventually cause you to stop ovulating regularly. When you stop having periods every month, the lining of the uterus will become thick, and eventually shed, resulting in very heavy and prolonged bleeding.
Losing weight can help you regulate your periods, she says. Your doctor may also prescribe birth control pills or progesterone to help with the prolonged heaving bleeding.
Here Are Some Home Remedies You Can Try
If youre not experiencing any symptoms of a medical emergency and youre waiting to hear back from your doc, there are some things you can try on your own to deal with your marathon flow.
- Make sure youre getting enough iron.Iron deficiency anemia can happen after heavy blood loss. Women between 19 to 50 years old should try to get about 18 milligrams of iron daily. Younger women, older women, and men will need less.
- Drink plenty of water.Staying hydrated helps your body just function better. It can help you feel less light-headed, combat fatigue, improve your digestion, and so much more.
- Soothe the pain. If youre experiencing painful cramps, you can try resting a heating pad on your belly.
If you experience a super long and heavy period along with other serious symptoms like fainting, go to the hospital right away.
- Your period lasts longer than 7 days.
- You soak through more than one tampon or pad per hour.
- The clots are bigger than a quarter.
- Youre bleeding after menopause.
- Youre bleeding in between periods.
- Your quality of life is being affected.
Don’t Miss: How To Feel Better On Your Period
Why Do Some People Feel Lonely After Losing A Child
Perhaps its the very acute and tangible loneliness a person experiences coming home to the empty house they used to share with a spouse. Or maybe its the parent who lost a child, feeling forever lonely around other parents, and forever left out of the things they wont get to share with their child who should still be here.
What Can Affect How Long Your Period Lasts
There are a number of different factors that affect your cycle. As you get older, for example, your period will get lighter and become more regular.
Using a new contraceptive, including birth control pills, vaginal rings, and IUDs, can make you irregular at first. Many birth control methods can cause long, symptomatic periods for the first one to three months after you start taking them, but these even out over time.
Other factors that can make you irregular, or cause changes to your menstrual cycle, include:
- extreme weight loss
- infections to the reproductive organs, like pelvic inflammatory disease
- conditions like polycystic ovarian syndrome
- increased stress
Recommended Reading: Does The Copper Iud Stop Periods
How Long Is Too Long
Generally, a period lasts between three to seven days. A menstrual period that lasts longer than seven days is considered a long period.
Your doctor may refer to a period that lasts longer than a week as menorrhagia. You may also be diagnosed with menorrhagia if you experience unusually heavy bleeding that lasts less than a week. Five percent of women have menorrhagia.
A long period may be a sign of a serious underlying health condition, such as:
- hormone irregularities
- uterine abnormalities
Its important to see your doctor if you experience a long or heavy period so they can identify the underlying cause or rule out more serious possible causes.
Menorrhagia can cause discomfort during your period as well as disrupt your regular routine. You may find that the bleeding affects your activities or your sleep. You may also experience iron deficiency anemia if you regularly experience long menstrual periods, especially if theyre heavy.
Read on to learn more about long periods, including possible causes and what you can do to manage this symptom.
Long periods can be caused by a wide range of underlying conditions.
Can I Get Pregnant At Any Time During My Cycle
Yes, but its unlikely youll get pregnant just before or just after your period. You are most fertile when you ovulate, so this is when youre most likely to get pregnant. Understanding your cycle and knowing more about what is happening month during the month, can help you learn the best days to get pregnant.
Find out more about ovulation and fertility, including top tips for finding your fertility window. You can also use our ovulation calculator to find out more.
Also Check: Why Do I Feel So Tired On My Period
How To Regulate Your Period
Many women prefer to regulate their menstrual cycle. Doctors may even recommend it for women whose periods are consistently irregular.
Regulating the menstrual cycle focuses on strategies and treatments to ensure that a womans period comes within a set frame of time and lasts for a time frame between the normal two to eight days.
The most common way to regulate your menstrual cycle is through birth control pills, or other similar hormonal contraceptives like the patch or the NuvaRing. Some of these contraceptive methods will trigger a womans period once a month, while others may only give her a period once every three or six months.
Other methods of regulating the menstrual cycle could involve treatment for eating disorders that are causing severe weight loss, or modifying diet and lifestyle. If youre able to reduce stress, that could also reduce irregularity of your period, too.
While every woman is a little different and her normal will be unique, there are symptoms that indicate its a good idea to talk to your healthcare provider. These symptoms include:
If you suddenly get a fever and experience flu-like symptoms after using tampons, seek immediate medical attention. These symptoms could indicate a dangerous complication called toxic shock syndrome.
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.
Don’t Miss: Can You Still Ovulate Without A Period
You Have Thyroid Issues
One in eight women will suffer from low thyroid function, or hypothyroidism, at some point in their lives, according to the OWH.
Related Story
Your thyroid is a little butterfly-shaped gland that controls the hormones that regulate many systems in your body, including how fast you burn calories, how fast your heart beats, and yes, menstruation. Having too little thyroid hormone can cause your period to be super long and heavy, the OWH explains.
Other symptoms of hypothyroidism include weight gain, fatigue, and hair loss, so if you’re experiencing any of those, along with longer-than-normal periods, bring it up to your doctor, says Dr. Ross.
There Are Many Reasons That Periods Can Be Irregular Or Absent Some Require Treatment And Some Do Not
It is not uncommon to occasionally miss a period, or for periods to become irregular from time to time. Under some circumstances, periods can even stop altogether. Sometimes these irregularities are due to normal changes, and are not cause for concern. Other times, they are a sign that something is going on, and a call to your doctor is warranted.
Explore Irregular or Absent Periods:
Don’t Miss: Female Dog Pads For Period Walmart
Why Did I Miss A Period
Missing a period is not uncommon, and most of the time, it is not a cause for concern. Some of the reasons you might miss a period include:
Normal lifecycle changes
There are a number of changes that happen in the female lifecycle that can result in a skipped period. All of these are normal reasons to miss a period and are not cause for concern.
For example:
Pregnancy
The most common reason for a missed period is pregnancy. If this is a possibility, take a home pregnancy test to see if this is the cause of your missed period. If you skip a period and then have one the next month at the expected time, its possible that a non-viable pregnancy occurred, and the period is actually an early miscarriage.
Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding can suppress your period, depending on how frequently you are nursing. You may get a period while breastfeeding, and then not have another one for several months or more, particularly if your baby is nursing exclusively. You can ovulate before you get your period, so its important to use birth control during this time, if you dont want to get pregnant.
Menopause
A skipped period may be a sign that you are entering menopause and your periods are beginning to become less regular, especially if you are experiencing other symptoms of menopause . If you are 45 or older, there is a good chance this is the cause of a missed period.
Stress
Weight loss
Birth control
Hormonal changes
Medications and drugs
Can I Use My Menstrual Cycle To Predict My Due Date
Yes. You can work out how far along your pregnancy is by counting from the first day of your last period.
This can be confusing because you probably didnt get pregnant until around 2 weeks later, after you ovulated. Even if do you know the date you got pregnant, this is counted as day 14 of your pregnancy , not day 1.
Your pregnancy is calculated from your last menstrual period because every time you have a period this is the bodys way of getting ready for pregnancy. It also gives healthcare professionals a standard to follow because its very difficult to know exactly when the sperm fertilised the egg.
If your period is irregular or if youve recently been on the pill it will be harder to try and work out your due date.
The most accurate way to work out your due date is to have an ultrasound scan when youre around 11 to 14 weeks pregnant. This is used to see how for along you are and check your babys development.
Recommended Reading: How To Make Your Stomach Stop Hurting From Period
When You Shouldand Should Notbe Concerned About Having Two Periods
“Just because you have two periods that happen to land within the same calendar month doesn’t mean there’s a problem,” said Mount Kisco, New York-based ob-gyn Alyssa Dweck, MD, author of The Complete A to Z for Your V. That’s because a normal menstrual cycle is between 24 and 38 days, according to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists . If your period came at the very beginning of this month and then showed up again at the end, this falls within a typical window.
If you’re bleeding sooner than that or in between periods, something more might be going on with your body. A too-soon period may indicate a hormonal imbalance with estrogen, progesterone, or testosterone, which are all involved in ovulation. “This can cause irregular ovulation. Essentially, your uterus isn’t sure when or how much to bleed,” Dr. Dweck said. can cause irregular bleeding.)
Thus, here are a few other things to consider if you find that you’re having another period sooner than expected.
Why Does My Period Go Missing In January
We seek out sugar when were stressed out to sustain our energy and make us feel good. For many women who otherwise experience regular cycles, theyll find their period goes missing after the holiday season, in January, when sugar becomes a staple and stress seems unavoidable.
What causes menstrual cycle irregularities? Menstrual cycle irregularities can have many different causes, including: Pregnancy or breast-feeding. A missed period can be an early sign of pregnancy. Breast-feeding typically delays the return of menstruation after pregnancy. Eating disorders, extreme weight loss or excessive exercising.
First, take a home pregnancy test. Believe it or not, you can still get pregnant at your age. In fact, your fertility doesnt end until you reach menopausethe day youve gone 12 consecutive months without a period. If you are not pregnant and you miss more than one period, it is probably a good time to talk to your doctor about menopause.
Don’t Miss: Ways To Keep Your Period From Starting
Uterine Fibroids Or Polyps
Uterine fibroids and polyps can lead to extended, and sometimes heavy, bleeding.
Fibroids occur when muscle tissue begins to grown in the wall of the uterus.
Polyps are also the result of irregular tissue growth in the uterus and cause small tumors to grow.
Generally, neither fibroids or polyps are cancerous.
Coping And Support For Pregnant People
A placenta previa diagnosis can be alarming for people who are expecting a baby. Here are some ideas for how to cope with your condition and how to prepare yourself for delivery.
Get educated. The more you know, the more youll know what to expect. Get in contact with other people who have been through placenta previa births.
Be prepared for your cesarean delivery. Depending on the type of your placenta previa, you might not be able to have a vaginal birth. Its good to remember the ultimate goal the health of you and your baby.
Rest. Pelvic rest is important while you are experiencing this condition. Additionally you should not engage in any strenuous activity or heavy lifting. You can use the time wisely by catching up on small projects, such as:
- putting together a photo album
- writing letters
- reading about your upcoming lifestyle change
Pamper yourself. Indulge in small pleasures, such as:
- buying a new pair of comfortable pajamas
- reading a good book
- watching your favorite TV program
- keeping a gratitude journal
You May Like: Best Pain Relief For Period Cramps
Are There Any Complications From Having A Long Menstrual Period
Often, the biggest problem from having a long menstrual period is the way it impacts your quality of life. If this is the case, dont be shy about exploring ways to change your cycle with your doctor.
Its okay to treat something simply because its a bother. Women dont have to live that way, Thielen says
And since blood is rich in iron, women who bleed a lot are at risk of anemia, she says. Talk to your doctor about whether you might need iron supplementation, and what schedule you should take it on. A study by Indian researchers published in December 2019 in the Annals of Hematology found that women taking 120 mg of iron every other day reached the same blood levels after six weeks as women taking 60 mg daily, with the alternate-day dosing causing less nausea.
Two Periods In One Month For The First Time
People with short menstrual cycles frequently have periods at the beginning and the end of a month. For someone with a typical menstrual cycle usually about 28 days or so having a period twice a month may be a bit surprising and seem unusual. Its important to remember that irregular bleeding can indicate a medical concern, and its easy to mistake for a period. In some cases, bleeding could indicate one of the following:
The treatment for two periods in one month depends on the cause of the bleeding. People who have a short menstrual cycle naturally or who are in the early stages of puberty typically dont require treatment.
Health care providers may suggest hormonal birth control as a possible treatment for multiple periods in a month, as it can help regulate periods and resolve anemia that occurs due to heavy and frequent bleeding. If youre already taking hormonal birth control and you think it might be causing you to have a period twice in one month, then be sure to talk to a health care provider.
For hypothyroidism, a health care provider may prescribe thyroid hormone replacement therapy. For hyperthyroidism, several treatment options are available, and health care providers will suggest the one that is best for each condition.
During perimenopause, health care providers may suggest menopausal hormone therapy to regulate periods until they cease with menopause.
Don’t Miss: Do You Ovulate Right After Your Period