Does Sex Make Your Period Start Earlier
The shortest and most dependable answer to this question is no. Having sex cant change your period or cause you to get your period earlier. Having sex can only affect your period if it results in you becoming pregnant.
If you become pregnant, you will no longer have a period until after youve had a baby.
What sex can do is help a body that is already about to start its period start it a fraction faster. Even then, it probably wont be that noticeable to you. When you have sex or any type of sexual activity that causes you to , you will experience uterine contractions.
This rhythmic contraction may help your uterus contract and kick-start the shedding of the uterine lining. Technically, however, your body was already in the process of starting, so having sex does not actually make you start your period earlier.
Got Your Period 2 Weeks Early Then Read This Article
Disclaimer: Please note that this blog is for educational purposes only, it includes general information on health-related topics. Womens Healthcare of Boca Raton is giving medical advice to Patients Only. Follow this link to request an appointment with Dr. Ellman.
Any fluctuations from your regular cycle can be scary, especially when it comes to starting your period 2 weeks early. However, there is no reason to panic, as this kind of thing happens to everyone at least once in their life.
How Does Ovulation Relate To Periods
Ovulation is the release of an egg from the ovaries. The same hormones that cause the uterus lining to build up also cause an egg to leave one of the ovaries. The egg travels through a thin tube called a fallopian tube to the uterus.
If the egg is fertilized by a sperm cell, it attaches to the wall of the uterus, where over time it develops into a baby. If the egg is not fertilized, the uterus lining breaks down and bleeds, causing a period.
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Should I Watch For Any Problems
Most girls dont have any problems with their periods. But call your doctor if you:
- are 15 and havent started your period
- have had your period for more than 2 years and it still doesnt come regularly
- have bleeding between periods
- have severe cramps that dont get better with ibuprofen or naproxen
- have very heavy bleeding
- have periods that last more than about a week
- have severe PMS that gets in the way of your everyday activities
You Have Uterine Or Cervical Polyps Or Fibroids
Uterine issues like polyps or fibroidsbenign lesions or tumors that can grow in the uterusare very common and may be related to hormonal issues. Uterine polyps can cause bleeding in between periods, says Dr. Dweck, especially if they are touched, like during sex, and fibroids can cause pain, back pain, abdominal bloating, anemia, pain with intercourse, and spontaneous bleeding because theyre not associated with the menstrual cycle, explains Dr. Richardson.
While fibroids can affect women of any age or race, Black women are about three times more likely to develop them compared to white women, and their symptoms tend to emerge at an earlier age with greater severity. Its unclear why exactly Black women are disproportionately impacted by fibroids, but some studies suggest that greater exposure to racial discrimination or genetics could play a role.
As the Black Womens Health Imperative notes, heavy, painful periods may seem like a fact of life since theyre so commonand many women wait years to seek treatment for fibroidsbut you dont have to needlessly suffer.
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What Is The Difference Between Premature Menopause And Premature Ovarian Failure
Premature menopause isnt the same as premature ovarian failure, although some people use the terms interchangeably. Healthcare providers now refer to premature ovarian failure as primary ovarian insufficiency .
POI is a condition where your periods stop suddenly and spontaneously, either early or prematurely. POI isnt the same as premature or early menopause, because with POI, theres a chance your period will come back. People with POI may still ovulate, menstruate or become pregnant. With early or premature menopause, you dont ovulate or menstruate, and you lose the ability to get pregnant.
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You Have A Sexually Transmitted Infection
Sexually transmitted infections like gonorrhea or chlamydia may cause bleeding in between periods. However, the bleeding is usually lighter than a period.
When your period comes early, take note of how heavy the flow is in comparison to your other periods. You may have to wait a day or two. If the flow is normal, you probably don’t have an STI. If, however, you have spotting every couple of days, regularly have spotting after sex, or your period comes every two weeks, Dr. Millheiser notes that is more concerning and could indicate an underlying issue, in which case, you should contact your doctor.
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You Have An Infection Down There
Vaginal and cervical infections are incredibly annoying for a number of reasons, not least of all that they can cause bleeding outside of your period. Inflammation or infection of the cervix with bacteria, such as bacterial vaginosis or trichomoniasis, can cause irregular bleeding, says Dr. Richardson.
Many STDs often dont cause any other symptoms, although you may experience foul-smelling or gray, white, or green discharge itching or burning in your genital area or burning during urination.
I Got My Period A Week Early What Does It Mean
If your period occurs early, then it may be due to non-pregnancy causes like stress or hormonal changes in your body. Early signs of menopause can cause an early period too. However, period that occurs a week early is likely due to pregnancy.
Now its your turn. Do you have early menstruation? Let us know your symptoms and if we could help.
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What About Endometriosis
Endometriosis is characterized by severe cramps,period fatigue, chronic back pain, and pain during or after sex. It can also cause irregularities with your period but can go undetected for years.
This condition is caused by the tissue that grows inside the uterus and starts growing in different body areas. The ovaries, bowels, and abdomen can all be affected.
Since endometriosis can cause prolonged and very painful bleeding, dont be afraid to go to the gynecologist on your period. An experienced doctor has seen it all by now, and your health and comfort should come before anything else.
Before you visit the gynecologist, though, check with your female relatives whether they experience similar symptoms to you.
You are at higher risk of having endometriosis if someone in your family has it, so knowing your family history before you talk to your doctor is essential.
Take Your Birth Control
If youre on the pill, you can manipulate when youll get your period and when you wont. According to Dr. Valerie French, if you want to get your period sooner, then just switch to your placebo pills. If you want to skip your period all together, go straight into the hormonal pills instead of taking your placebos the week youre supposed to take them. While this might throw your period for a bit of a loop during the next month, as it will mess with your 28-day schedule, as long as you keep track and are armed with panty liners for possible accidents, youll be fine. You shouldnt have to have an important event or holiday ruined because you have your period and all the possible side effects that come with having it: cramps, bloating, irritation, and the rest of it.
But its worth noting that when you do switch around your pills, there can be other side effects. Jumping to placebo earlier than planned could lead to headaches, Dr. Thaïs Aliabadi, an OB/GYN based in Los Angeles, tells Bustle. This is because pills that contain estrogen keep your hormones at a certain level, so when theyre taken away headaches and mood swings can possibly follow. But thats a small price to pay so you dont have your period while backpacking through Indonesia.
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Is It Ovulation Or Anearly Period
Ovulation usually occurs in the middle of your cycle, and that can roughly be two weeks before youre supposed to get your period. Therefore, what you think is your period coming early, could actually just be spotting.
Spotting is caused by normal hormone fluctuations in your cycle and can be recognized by the color and length of bleeding. The main difference between your period coming earlyand entering ovulation is that spotting is much lighter and doesnt increase in volume.
It only lasts for about one or two days and is usually pink or red in color. Some light cramping can be expected, too.
What It Feels Like
Either a total aversion to coffee or feeling sick, shaky or nauseous after consuming it.
I love coffee. Not in a Gilmore Girls way where its a lifestyle choice, but I mean, I need a cup or two to get me going each morning which is why I was horrified to find myself suddenly disgusted by coffee one winter morning after my husband had left for work. Hmmm I thought, Thats weird. And it was weird. A weird early sign that I was about to get my BFP.
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Signs Of Implantation Bleeding
It isnt easy to tell the difference between implantation bleeding and an early period. But here are some signs to clue you in to whats happening.
- Color. Implantation bleeding is more likely to be a pinky-brown color. Menstrual bleeding, on the other hand, may start off light pink or brown, but it soon changes into crimson red.
- Strength of flow. Implantation bleeding is usually super-light spotting. Your period may start off light, but the flow gets stronger.
- Cramping. Cramping that signals implantation is usually light and short-lived. Cramping that comes from your period is usually more intense and lasts longer. Every woman has her own pain threshold: You know your body best, so listen to it.
- Clotting. If you notice clots in the bleeding, you can be pretty sure that this is your period. Implantation bleeding will not produce this mix of blood and tissue.
- Length of flow. Implantation bleeding lasts 1 to 3 days while your period lasts 4 to 7 days.
- Consistency. Implantation bleeding is more like on-and-off spotting. Your period, however, starts off lightly and gets progressively heavier.
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Whats The Problem With Low Progesterone
When you ovulate the ovary sends an egg off to be fertilized. When this happens, it triggers a special group of cells located in the ovary to make progesterone.
Progesterone does all kinds of things like stabilize mood, improve sleep, and even act as a mild pain-killer. Progesterone also goes on to turn the lining of the uterus into a comfy, welcoming area for a potential fertilized egg.
But if ovulation never happens, then sufficient amounts of progesterone is never madewhich then results in an early period.
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Why Did My Period Come Early If Im On Birth Control
It is because contraceptives influence hormonal changes that affect and change your cycle. Both emergency contraception and hormonal birth control can cause your period to come early. When it comes to emergency pills, like the Plan B pill, they work by disrupting ovulation, meaning they can cause an early period, as well as a late one.
Taking birth control pills will also affect the timing of your next period. How early or late your period arrives will depend on what part of your cycle you started taking birth control and whether youre also taking a week of reminder pills.
Keep in mind that other birth control options, such as an IUD, can also cause hormone fluctuations and period fatigue. Furthermore, switching from one type of birth control to another, as well as abruptly going off birth control, can all cause issues with your cycle for a few months.
If you experience heavy bleeding or more pain than usual, you should always visit a good Womens Health Clinic if the bleeding lasts longer than anticipated. This is because the birth control youre taking may be causing more harm than good, and a doctor will be able to prescribe something that suits you better.
You Have A Thyroid Disorder
It sounds strange, but your thyroid can actually affect your period. The thyroid gland is regulated in the pituitary-hypothalamus axis of the brain, as are the hormones that regulate ovulation and menstruation, says Dr. Dweck. When one aspect of the axis is disturbed, so might be other aspects.
Other indications of an over- or underactive thyroid issue can include appetite and weight changes, difficulty with temperature regulation, hair changes, feelings of anxiety, and heart palpitations, according to Dr. Dweck. If you think you might have a thyroid disorder, talk to your doc about getting tested. Thyroid issues are common and treating them is important to maintaining both fertility and overall health.
Watch a doctor explain what you can do to help a thyroid disorder:
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Bleeding Is Also A Symptom Of Many Types Of Cancer
Vaginal bleeding after sex or between periods is a symptom of cervical cancer, uterine cancer, vaginal cancer, ovarian cancer, according to the American Cancer Society.
Non-cancerous growths on your cervix, known as cervical polyps, may also cause bleeding, Streicher told INSIDER.
Basinski told INSIDER that getting regular Pap smears are important to screen for cancer and spot growths. She advised scheduling one as soon as possible if it’s been a while since your last Pap smear.
Take Care Of Yourself
If youre not getting enough sleep, feeling extremely stressed about something or are not eating a healthy diet, your body will feel it. This may lead to an early or missed period.
Your menstrual cycle is like a health report card. So, if you normally have a regular menstrual cycle that suddenly becomes irregular, you need to see your doctor. If there is no obvious medical cause, then it could be a sign that you need to slow down and take better care of yourself:
- Eat healthily and maintain a balanced diet throughout the month. Avoid rapid weight gain or loss, as this can change your hormone levels and make your period early, or delayed.
- Sleep enough for the lifestyle you lead. If you have problems sleeping think about sleep hygiene.
- Relax.Stress can cause early periods! If you have a busy lifestyle, or stressful job, try to make sure you de-stress at the end of each day. Anxiety and emotions can put extra stress on your body, which will affect your hormonal balance. Put your feet up, its good for you!
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What To Do About It
Obviously, a bun in the oven can be ruled out with a simple pregnancy test. Keep in mind that false negatives are relatively common if you havent yet missed your period. If you experienced earlier-than-expected bleeding after your normal period, take the test again about a week after youd usually expect to get your period.
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Since ectopic pregnancies also result in a positive pregnancy test and can become an emergency if left untreated, see your doctor for an ultrasound to confirm whether the embryo has implanted in your uterus. If it is an ectopic pregnancy, youll receive meds and potentially other treatments to prevent life-threatening complications.
Further Reading For Girls
- “Susan’s Growing Up” is a picture book about periods that has been specially developed for people with learning disabilities. It’s from the Books Beyond Words series from the Royal College of Psychiatrists.
- “The Period Book: Everything You Don’t Want to Ask “ by Karen Gravelle, and published by Piatkus, is a well-known book for any girl approaching puberty. It explains what to expect and how to cope with periods.
Page last reviewed: 05 August 2019 Next review due: 05 August 2022
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We Know Youre Wondering: Is It Possible To Be Pregnant And Still Have A Period
Nope, experts say. Some people may experience bleeding or spotting, but those are different bleeding patterns from the cyclical menses your body experiences in absence of a pregnancy.
Dr. Michele Hakakha, an OB-GYN and author of Expecting 411: Clear Answers and Smart Advice for Your Pregnancy, told Parents that people definitely can experience vaginal bleeding during pregnancy, but that when they bleed, they are not having a period.’ Thats because your body needs to reserve the uterine lining as nourishment for the growing pregnancy.
Although bleeding during pregnancy doesnt always mean cause for concern, it can indicate something more serious like a miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy, according to the Mayo Clinic.
In the earliest stage of pregnancy, however, some very light bleeding is totally normal and leads us to our first pregnancy clue: implantation bleeding.
Implantation bleeding usually doesnt last more than a couple of days, and its much lighter than most peoples periods .