How Long Does The Transition To Menopause Last
Perimenopause, the transition to menopause, can last between two and eight years before your periods stop permanently. For most women, this transition to menopause lasts about four years. You will know you have reached menopause only after it has been a full year since your last period. This means you have not had any bleeding, including spotting, for 12 months in a row.
Uterine Or Ovarian Cancer
Cancer of the ovary, the uterus and other parts of the female reproductive system may alter your menstrual cycle in various ways including making it shorter, longer or inactive. You may also easily mistake the bleeding from a cancerous tumor for a period.
Unlike a period which starts or is preceded by premenstrual symptoms before a dark brown discharge follows for the next four to five days, a discharge from cancer is different both in color and consistency.
The cancer discharge occurs at any time including after menopause, after sexual intercourse, between periods and at other random times. It is also of different colors including brown, pink, watery, pale and at times foul-smelling.
Besides the early periods, cancer has other symptoms such as
- Longer and heavier periods
- Back, leg and abdominal pain
- Loss of appetite
If you observe any of these signs in a group, ensure you get tested for cancer for early treatment.
What Are The Signs And Symptoms Of Heavy Menstrual Bleeding
Signs of heavy menstrual bleeding include:
- Abdominal pain.
- Periods lasting longer than seven days.
- Passing blood clots that are the size of a quarter or bigger. The blood may appear red, pink, brown, or even rust-like.
- Bleeding through 1 or more tampons or pads each hour for more than two consecutive hours.
- Losing more than 80 milliliters of blood during your period instead of what is typical, 35-40 milliliters.
- Anemia symptoms, like feeling exhausted, tired or short of breath.
With anemia, you may also notice signs of a condition called pica. Pica symptoms include hair loss, pale skin, and the urge to eat non-food items . See your provider if have these symptoms.
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What Will My First Period Feel Like
You may find your first period comes and goes with very little in the way of symptoms, or you may find you experience quite a bit of discomfort. Common symptoms include:
- Cramping in the lower abdomen
- Breast tenderness
- Diarrhea or nausea
Most of these symptoms do not last long, and can be treated with ibuprofen or other over-the-counter pain relief medications. A heating pad or hot water bottle on the abdomen or lower back can help ease pain in these areas. More details on menstrual pain and other symptoms can be found here .
How Do I Know When I Will Get My Next Period
Its impossible to predict when your next period will start. Most girls and women go about 28 days from the first day of one period to the first day of the next, but anywhere from 21-35 days is normal. Especially in the first few years of menstruating, your period may be very irregular. If you track your period on a calendar , you will begin to notice a pattern over time. You can use this menstrual diary to keep track of your periods.
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You’re On Birth Control
Birth control has artificial hormones in it designed to make your body think it is already pregnant. This is why it’s effective for preventing pregnancies.
If you just started taking the pill and are on a pill-free week, you may start bleeding. If you stopped taking the pill, the drop in hormones may also cause you to bleed. When you first get an IUD, it can make you bleed more heavily than normal, and it may make your period irregular.
Further Reading For Girls
- Susans Growing Up is a picture book about periods that has been specially developed for people with learning disabilities. Its from the Books Beyond Words series from the Royal College of Psychiatrists.
- The Period Book: Everything You Dont 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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Reasons Your Period Came Early According To A Doctor
If your menstrual cycle is pretty regular, having a period come early can prompt small bouts of anxiety. Questions arise: Did I take my birth control? Am I pregnant? Did I break something?! Ultimately, why did my period come early? Its stressful to look at that trusty period tracker app and realize that Aunt Flo decided to come 4 days, 10 days, even a week or two ahead of schedule.
And since we know it can be unnerving to have your body behave in unexpected waysespecially when it comes to your reproductive system we spoke to Dr. Jennifer Wider, a womens health expert, to find out why your period may have come early. She explains to HelloGiggles that lifestyle changes, diet, illness, and even stress can affect when your period arrives. So before you freak out about what could possibly be wrong with you and your uterus, be mindful that an early period can stem from a number of factors, and some are no big deal. Also remember that you know your body and your cycle best, and knowing how your body feels at different stages throughout the month can better inform you of what to look out for when your period is coming, so you can be prepared if it does happen to come early.
When Does Menopause Usually Happen
Menopause happens when you have gone 12 months in a row without a period. The average age of menopause in the United States is 52. The range for women is usually between 45 and 58.2 One way to tell when you might go through menopause is the age your mother went through it.3
Menopause may happen earlier if you:
- Never had children. Pregnancy, especially more than one pregnancy, may delay menopause.4
- Smoke. Studies show smoking can cause you to start menopause up to two years earlier than women who dont smoke.5
Certain health problems can also cause you to start menopause earlier.
Menopause usually happens on its own. However, you may enter menopause earlier than you normally would if you have had chemotherapy or surgery to remove both ovaries. Learn more about early menopause on our Early or premature menopause page.
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The Best Time To Take A Pregnancy Test
If you have a regular menstrual cycle , then you are only at risk of pregnancy if you had unprotected heterosexual sex or had a high risk of sperm touching your genitals during your fertile window. This is the six days leading up to and including ovulation, usually around the middle of your cycle . You can take a pregnancy test about two weeks after your estimated ovulation day, but the earlier you take a test the less accurate it may be and some brands are more sensitive than others . You should probably take a pregnancy test or contact your healthcare provider if your period is nine or more days late.
If you have an irregular cycle , then unprotected sex or exposure of sperm on your genitals at most times represents a risk. You can take a pregnancy test about two weeks after your last unprotected sexual encounter, though the earlier you take a test the less accurate it may be and some brands are more sensitive than others .
If you get a negative result at first and your period still hasnât come after a week, you might want to try taking another pregnancy testâjust to be sure. The sooner you know if you are pregnant or not, the sooner youâll be able to develop a plan . You can get confidential testing and counseling in most healthcare providersâ offices and clinics.
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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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There Has Been A Change In Your Normal Routine
Any change from your normal pattern whether you’re traveling on holiday or changing how often and how long you exercise can cause changes in hormone levels that may affect your period. Working more and not resting enough may also be reasons. Human bodies like consistency.
Even moving into your college dorm could affect your period. If you get young women who go to college their periods start to shift if a bunch of women are living together and none of them are on hormonal contraception, Dr. Millheiser explains. Eventually, their cycles will start to become in sync. So that could have an impact where your period may come earlier.”
How Long Should Periods Last
First, its important to know how long your period should last. On average, the menstrual cycle is every 21 to 35 days and during your period, bleeding can last 2 to 7 days. But what is normal for one person might not be for another. However, heavier or longer periods can increase your chances of anemia.
Menorrhagia is when your period lasts longer than a week or its heavier than whats considered normal. Heavy bleeding means you are soaking through a pad or tampon after less than 2 hours, or you are passing clots that are larger than a quarter. Menorrhagia can increase your chances of anemia, a condition where your red blood cells dont have the capacity to carry oxygen to various tissues throughout your body.
If youve had heavy or prolonged bleeding, talk with your doctor to see if you should be tested for anemia. Supplementing or eating high-iron foods such as red meat, spinach, and poultry, or taking an iron supplement may help.
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How Will I Know When My Periods Are Going To Start
Signs that your period is on its way are if you’ve grown underarm and pubic hair. Typically, you’ll start your periods about 2 years after your breasts start growing and about a year after getting a white vaginal discharge. The average girl will get her first period around 12 years old, but it varies from person to person.
How Is Heavy Menstrual Bleeding Diagnosed
Your healthcare provider will ask a series of questions about your medical history and menstrual cycle to diagnose heavy menstrual bleeding.
Your provider may ask about:
- Your age when you got your first period.
- The number of days your period lasts.
- The number of days your period is heavy.
- Family members with a history of heavy menstrual bleeding.
- Your pregnancy history and current birth control methods.
- Current medications you’re taking, including over-the-counter ones.
Come prepared to talk about your quality of life, too. Your provider needs to know if you’ve been doubling up on menstrual products, avoiding activities or placing restrictions on your life in any way because of heavy periods.
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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.
What Causes Heavy Menstrual Bleeding
Heavy menstrual bleeding can have many causes, ranging from hormone-related issues to various medical conditions and even stress.
Hormone imbalances
The hormones that your body produces, like estrogen and progesterone, help regulate your menstrual cycle, including how heavy your periods are. Having a condition that causes your hormones to become imbalanced can lead to heavy period bleeding. Causes include:
- Birth control pills and injectables .
Failing to remove contraceptive devices when needed can also cause abnormal uterine bleeding.
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Of The Reproductive Journey
We usually diagnose menopause in hindsight, after that full year of absent periods. Ive found that most women know theyve reached menopause when they get there.
Even if your irregular periods turn out to be something else, youll face menopause eventually. Talk with your ob-gyn about what youre experiencing. Together we can work through this part of your health journey.
The views expressed in this article are those of Dr. Eisenberg and do not reflect the views of the National Institutes of Health, the Department of Health and Human Services, or the United States government.
Copyright 2022 by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. All rights reserved. Read copyright and permissions information.This information is designed as an educational aid for the public. It offers current information and opinions related to women’s health. It is not intended as a statement of the standard of care. It does not explain all of the proper treatments or methods of care. It is not a substitute for the advice of a physician. Read ACOGs complete disclaimer.
Dr. Esther Eisenberg
What To Do If Your Period Is Delayed
If your period is late, the first step is to complete out a pregnancy test from the pharmacy. If you havent had a period for more than 3 months and you cannot identify the cause, you should go to a gynecologist so that he or she can identify the cause and treat the problem. In some cases, the use of medication is recommended to stimulate your period.
The doctor may order bloodwork to assess progesterone and prolactin levels, which may help to identify the reason for this delay and guide the most appropriate treatment.
Also, depending on what is causing your period delay, you may need to reduce the intensity of physical exercise, take it easy, avoid stress and maintain a varied and balanced diet rich in vitamins and minerals. These are all factors that contribute to a regular menstrual cycle.
It is also recommended that you see your doctor regularly to identify possible health problems or diseases such as polycystic ovaries, endometriosis, anorexia, bulimia, hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism, all which can cause changes to your menstrual cycle.
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Uterine Fibroids Or Polyps
Fibroids are noncancerous growths made up of muscle and connective tissue from the wall of the uterus. They can cause pain and heavy menstrual bleeding because they dont allow the uterus to contract properly . Fibroids range in size from an apple seed to the size of a grapefruit and sometimes larger.
Polyps are growths as well, but they attach themselves in the inner lining of the uterus, known as the endometrium, by a stalk. Polyps are made up of endometrial tissue and can also cause irregular or heavy periods.
The Easiest Method To Check For An Irregular Period
A one-off occasion of a late or early period should not cause concern. To check, record the last day of the last period to the first day of the first period. Repeat for at least three months. A significant difference over the timeframe means a possible irregular period. To be safe, schedule an appointment with a gynecologist.
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A Woman’s Period Can Be Very Sensitive To Environmental Factors Stress Diet Travel And Hormonal Changes
“If a woman gets her period earlier than expected once or twice per year, it is not very significant, Dr. Majid Fateh, M.D., of the New York Fertility Institute, tells Elite Daily. However, he also warns that if menstrual cycles become irregular, either periods occurring earlier or later, it will affect fertility because ovulation changes.
Dr. Jaime Knopman, fertility specialist at CCRM New York, co-founder of Truly MD, also spoke with Elite Daily to illustrate, in detail, what this actually means.
She explains,
When your cycles start to get closer and closer together , it can be a sign of decreasing egg quality and quantity.The first half of your cycle is getting shorter and shorter, and therefore the overall length of the cycle is shorter. As you age, your body starts to develop the egg it will release next month in the second half of the cycle before .Premature follicular development can be a sign of decreasing egg quality.