Reasons Why You Could Be Having A Period Twice In One Month
So what causes menstruation twice a month? Irregular periods can cause you to get a period back to back with another. Here is a list of possible reasons that lead to irregular periods.
- Polycystic ovary syndrome that causes hormonal disorder in the ovaries.
- Premature ovarian failure where your ovaries lose function before you reach 40.
- A pelvic inflammatory disease which infects your reproductive organs.
- Uterine fibroids or non-cancerous growths inside the uterus.
- Extreme weight gain or loss
- Eating Disorders
- Extremely painful cramps
Here Are 10 Reasons Why You Are Getting Your Period Twice In A Month
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Imagine a situation where your periods have just ended and within a span of just 10 days, you start bleeding again. Yes, we are talking about getting your periods twice in a month. Dont be alarmed because this situation is quite rare.
In fact, when we asked Dr Bilsi Mittal, a gynaecologist at Wockhardt Hospital, Mumbai, whether a woman can get her periods twice in a month, she promptly replied YES.
But, she also added that Nowadays it is a little normal due to many factors but if it continues to happen for months altogether, then you must get yourself checked as this could be an indication of a bigger problem.
According to Dr Mittal, there are multiple reasons that can lead to this problem and the age of the woman also has a major role to play. No points for guessing, hormones are the biggest culprits here. Here are 10 reasons why you might be getting your period twice in one month:
1. You might be pregnantIf the woman is in her reproductive age then there are high chances that she might be bleeding because she is pregnant. Intermittent bleeding happens in pregnancy and it is quite normal, says Dr Mittal.
3. You might have polyps or fibroids issuesDr Mittal suggests that fibroids can play a major role here. When either polyps or fibroids form along the uterus lining, then it can impact the period cycle.
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Nikita Bhardwaj
So How Is It Even Possible To Get Two Periods In One Month
The average cycle should occur every 21 to 35 days and last anywhere from two to seven days, explains Lakeisha Richardson, M.D., an ob-gyn based in Greenville, Mississippi. So if youre on the shorter end of that spectrum, that math could easily translate into getting your period twice in one month. And about 40 to 60 percent of women will have some irregular periods throughout their lives, she says.
If you don’t just have a cycle thats on the shorter end of the spectrum, your period might actually be bleeding linked to a medical condition or missed birth control. And even though most of the reasons are totally benign, seeing your doctor can help identify the cause.
Here’s what might be going on if you’re getting two periods in one monthand what to do to get your cycle back on track.
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The Effects Of Birth Control And Menopause
Variousforms of birth control can affect the frequency and duration of your period.The birth control pill tends to produce a regular period that occurs everymonth and lasts for three to five days. A hormonal IUD usually results in alighter period or noperiod at all. Most women experience spotting for the first fewmonths after getting the IUD.
A copper IUD may have no effect on bleeding patterns or may cause heavier and longer periods for some women. Progestin-only methods like the injection, medroxyprogesterone acetate , and the implant, etonogestrel are associated with irregular spotting as well, but most women report lighter and shorter periods.
Periods can become longer and more irregular as women approach menopause. Its important to discuss cycle characteristics with your doctor, especially women over the age of 45, as the risk of endometrial hyperplasia and endometrial cancer increases with age.
You Have Precancerous Or Cancerous Cells
When found in either the uterus and cervix, precancerous and cancerous cells can cause irregular bleeding. Suffice it to say, a tumor growing on the cervix or uterus can bleed erratically, says Dr. Dweck. One study even found that irregular periods are more likely to lead to ovarian cancer, so early detection is key.
Incidence rates of gynecological cancer vary by race and ethnicitycervical cancer disproportionately impacts Hispanic women, while Black women and white women are more likely to develop uterine cancer, per the CDC.
What to do about it
These are diagnosed with an ultrasound and uterine biopsy, and a pap smear and cervix biopsies, respectively, so if youve ruled out other causes, get to an ob-gyn STAT.
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What Can Cause Bleeding Between Periods
There are several things that could cause bleeding between periods, such as changes to your hormones levels, use of hormonal contraception or contraceptive devices, an infection, or an injury.
Other causes of bleeding between periods may include:
My Period Is 4 Days Early What To Expect
If your period is four days early, then its likely due to implantation. Implantation can cause you to have spotting or slight vaginal bleeding that last for hours or days. You should wait for some days then take a pregnancy test. Other causes like stress, eating disorders, emergency contraception can affect your period too.
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Can I Make My Period Come Early
Vitamin C, ginger, and turmeric have all been touted as having qualities that will induce a period. However, there is no scientific research proving that these or other natural substances can bring on menstruation. Good nutrition, reducing stress, and maintaining a healthy lifestyle can help you avoid menstrual irregularities, though, so you can better predict when your period will occur.
When Its Not Normal
Occasionally, brown, bloody discharge accompanied by other symptoms can indicate a problem.
Tell your doctor right away if youre pregnant and experiencing brown-colored bleeding. This can mean that something is wrong with your pregnancy. You may need immediate medical care.
- periods that last longer than 7 days
- less than 21 days between periods or more than 35 days between periods
- not having a period for more than three to six months
- bleeding between periods
- multiple cysts on the ovaries
The cause of PCOS isnt known. It can be passed on genetically. If your brown discharge happens along with these other symptoms, ask your doctor to test you for it. Untreated PCOS can make you more susceptible to conditions such as type 2 diabetes, infertility, and cardiovascular disease. Getting tested and treated early on can help prevent these issues from developing.
Some causes of brown discharge, including menopause, arent a problem. However, discharge can be a symptom of a yeast infection or a sexually transmitted infection such as gonorrhea or chlamydia, that requires treatment. Brown discharge can also be a sign of inflammatory conditions such as cervicitis or vaginitis. In rare cases, brown discharge can indicate cervical cancer. Talk to your doctor if you think you might have any of these issues. If you havent already done so, you may consider getting routine cervical cancer screenings or the human papillomavirus virus vaccine.
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Your Thyroid Isn’t Working Properly
An underactive or overactive thyroid gland can cause your period to come twice in one month. The thyroid gland is regulated by hormones produced and regulated in the same area of the brainthe pituitary and hypothalamusas the hormones that control menstruation and ovulation, explains Dweck. When one is off, the other might be affected.
If you have hyperthyroidism , you may also lose weight unexpectedly, feel nervous or anxious, have a rapid heartbeat, or have trouble sleeping. Hypothyroidism can cause weight gain, constipation, fatigue, and increased sensitivity to cold, among other symptoms.
Your risk of developing a thyroid disease could vary by race, potentially due to a combination of environmental and genetic factors. According to a 2014 study in JAMA, Graves disease, an autoimmune disorder often at the root of hyperthyroidism, is more common in Black, Asian, and Pacific Islander women compared to white women. On the other hand, Hashimotos disease, which often causes hypothyroidism, is more common in white women.
What to do about it
This is diagnosed with a blood test and typically treated with medication. Hypothyroidism drugs restore your levels to a normal level so symptoms should disappear and you start feeling better soon. Hyperthyroidism medications can clear up symptoms within a few weeks by keeping your thyroid from overproducing hormones. Most of the time this treatment permanently fixes the issue, although sometimes you may need surgery.
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How Do I Know If I Am Fertile Enough To Get Pregnant
If your menstrual cycle lasts 28 days and your period arrives like clockwork, its likely that youll ovulate on day 14. Thats halfway through your cycle. Your fertile window begins on day 10. Youre more likely to get pregnant if you have sex at least every other day between days 10 and 14 of a 28-day cycle.
What Symptoms Do You Feel When Your Pregnant
The most common early signs and symptoms of pregnancy might include: Missed period. If youre in your childbearing years and a week or more has passed without the start of an expected menstrual cycle, you might be pregnant. Tender, swollen breasts. Nausea with or without vomiting. Increased urination. Fatigue.
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Why Does That Happen
To understand the reason behind it we spoke to Dr. Sangeetha Sivaraman, an obstetrician and gynaecologist based out of Bangalore. She helped us with an understanding about the causes behind periods twice a month and what can be done about it.
1. Why do some women get periods twice a month?
Stress, late nights, inadequate sleep, highly processed foods in the diet with high sugar content, are some of the causes of periods coming more than once in the month.
It could also occur after the use of emergency contraception, the use of oral contraceptive pills or an intrauterine device, following an abortion or childbirth. Occasionally, it can occur due to endocrine imbalances like thyroid disturbances, prolactin elevation or diabetes related causes. In the presence of diseases too, cycles could be more frequent than before.
2. Is it a matter of concern when someone gets periods twice a month for a long time?
If bleeding occurs frequently, the girl or woman runs a risk of excessive blood loss causing a loss in haemoglobin and resulting in Anemia. Anemia in turn poses a risk of infections to set in apart from putting the heart at risk. If a woman has more than two cycles, or more frequent ones, it is better she seeks professional advice for the same.
3. What should be the ideal gap between two cycles and when can an exception be made?
In general, one solitary cycle with more frequent cycles is most likely to be related to stress and need not be a reason for undue concern.
Weight Gain And Obesity
Weight gain and obesity can affect the frequency of your period in a couple of ways. Rapid weight gain can throw your cycle off because it affects the hypothalamus, which is a part of your brain that regulates hormones. That can lead to hormonal fluctuations that may include more- or less-frequent periods.
Obesity has a complex relationship with menstruation. High levels of fat, also called adipose tissue, can upset the balance of sex hormones and lead to excess estrogen, which can make you have short menstrual cycles and more periods. It also can cause heavier bleeding, more cramps, and more prolonged pain during your period. These problems are most pronounced when the adipose tissue is concentrated around the abdomen.
Losing weight, or maintaining a healthy weight, can help keep your menstrual cycle regular. If you need help losing weight, talk to your healthcare provider about what options you have.
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Is Brown Blood Normal
In most cases, brown blood during your period is normal.
The color and consistency of blood can change throughout your menstrual cycle. It may be thin and watery one day, and thick and clumpy the next. It may be bright red or brown, heavy or light. Its normal for your periods to vary in length, heaviness, and level of discomfort.
Brown blood is usually present toward the end of your cycle. As your body sheds the uterine lining in the first few days of your cycle, the blood is normally red. However, near the end of your cycle, the discharged blood is older and can be discolored.
Sometimes, spotting or brown discharge occurs in the middle of your cycle, during ovulation. This is more common in younger girls who are just starting to have their periods, women starting birth control, or women nearing menopause. When you experience bleeding between periods, you should see a doctor or nurse practitioner to make sure its not a symptom of a problem.
Certain types of birth control can cause brown discharge during your period, or even between periods. These include birth control implants such as Nexplanon, known as the bar. Birth control affects your hormone levels, so in many cases brown discharge is normal, even at the beginning of your period.
Skipping Or Discontinuing Birth Control
Birth control pills suppress your normal menstrual cycle with hormones that prevent ovulation. The pills usually come in a three-week supply followed by a week of placebos , and the lack of hormones during the placebo week is what makes you have a period.
When you go off of the pill, or even miss just a pill or two, your body may react like it does during the placebo week and start shedding the uterine lining. This can happen even if it hasn’t been very long since your last period. A similar process happens if you make a mistake with a birth control patch or ring.
The proper way to resume your birth control after missing one or more doses varies by type, so be sure to read the information that comes with your contraceptive or ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist what to do. And don’t forget that you may need a backup method of contraception or emergency contraception to avoid an unintended pregnancy.
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