Why Do I Have 2 Periods A Month

What Are Irregular Periods

Even though girls get their periods on a cycle, that cycle can take different amounts of time each month. For example, a girl might get her period after 24 days one month and after 42 days the next. These are called irregular periods.

Irregular periods are very common, especially in a girl’s first few years of getting her period.

What Causes Periods Every Two Weeks

Frequent menstruation can have a number of underlying roots, including hormonal and other causes. They include the following:

Hormonal Causes

Getting a period every two weeks is commonly caused by imbalanced levels of estrogen and progesterone. This frequently occurs during menopause as the ovaries transition into their non-fertile stage, causing drastic fluctuations of key reproductive hormones.

Other Causes

Polymenorrhea can also be caused by various medical conditions as well as certain lifestyle habits, such as the following:

• Drastic weight loss

• Going off or starting a new type of hormonal contraception

• Obesity, especially if related to polycystic ovary syndrome

• Benign uterine abnormalities, such as endometriosis and uterine fibroids

• Certain types of cancer

You’ve Been Traveling Recently

If you get back from vacation and find an earlier-than-expected period welcoming you home, you might be able to blame said vacation on your irregular bleeding. Depending on how far from home you went, excessive traveling can disrupt your period.

Interfering with your circadian rhythms, like changing time zones or working night shifts, can cause changes in the hormones that trigger your cycle, says Dr. Masterson.

What to do about it

As long as the travel was a one-time thing, this should resolve on its own. If you work the night shift regularly, though, irregular periods might be your new normal. Aim to clock at least six hours a night, and make the most of the sleep you do get by blocking out noise and light and avoiding using screens right before you nod off.

Since youre already feeling the effects of late nightsand shift work can do harm to your health over time, increasing the risk of anxiety, depression, GI problems and even heart diseaseyou may want to consider talking to your boss about whether its possible to rework your schedule.

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Uterine Polyps Or Fibroids

Uterine polyps, also called endometrial polyps, are soft growths in the endometrium. They can range from sesame-seed sized to larger than a golf ball and are not usually cancerous. Uterine polyps become more common with age and are rare in anyone under 20. You may develop one or many.

Uterine fibroids are another type of non-cancerous growth on the uterus, but they develop from the muscle tissue rather than the endometrium. They may be inside or outside of the uterus and, as with polyps, you can have one or several.

Both polyps and fibroids can cause menstrual irregularities, including more frequent periods, longer and heavier periods, and bleeding between periods. They can also interfere with your fertility and cause miscarriage. Other symptoms of uterine polyps include:

• Post-menopausal bleeding or spotting

Why Am I Bleeding 2 Weeks After My Last Period

There are lots of reasons why you might experience bleeding and/or spotting between periods. It might even be caused by ovulation. Try tracking your cycle on an app or in your diary to see whether the dates work out. And it could also be caused by implantation.

Other possible causes include birth control pills , the morning-after pill, or IUDs. Spotting between periods can also be caused by some sexually transmitted infections .

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You Forgot To Take Your Birth Control

Duh, right? Missing birth control pills or forgetting your Depo-Provera shot will always cause irregular bleeding, says Dr. Richardson. Anytime you fail to take a birth control method correctly, you will bleed because you have an abrupt withdrawal of hormones. This kind of bleeding, though, is not an emergency.

What to do about it

If you resume your birth control by following the instructions, the bleeding will subside, she says. Just make sure to use a backup method of birth control to prevent pregnancy until your next period.

How To Deal With Periods Every Two Weeks

There are wholesome habits that can help women manage having a period every two weeks. They include:

• Staying hydrated to flush the body properly

• Keeping a period calendar with the exact dates of your periods to help you make sense of your menstrual patterns

• Carrying sanitary pads and tampons with you at all times so as not to be caught off guard in public

• Trying gentle, regular exercises, such as calisthenics, long walks, or stretching routines. Restorative yoga can also relieve muscle tension and cramping as well as greatly help with premenstrual syndrome .

However, some women who receive a period every other week for an extended period of time without reprieve may want to consider treatment for long-term effectiveness.

Read Also: Signs To Know Your Period Is Coming

You Have Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

Polycystic ovary syndrome is a hormonal condition in which your reproductive hormones become imbalanced. Irregular bleeding is a common symptom of this condition.

Getting your period twice in one month usually isnt anything to worry about if it happens just once or you know you have a shorter cycle. But if this is happening repeatedly each month and is different from your normal cycle, youll want to see your healthcare provider to find out whats going on.

If you would like to meet with a knowledgeable doctor, consider contacting Womens Health Arizona. As Arizonas largest ObGyn group, were trained and solely dedicated to delivering the best ObGyn experience in convenient and comfortable settings around Phoenix.

Reaction To Birth Control

Hormonal birth control introduces hormones into your body. This can affect your menstrual cycle. You may need to try a few different types of birth control to find one that works for you. It also takes a few months for your body to adjust to a new method of birth control.

Talk to your doctor about what you should expect when starting a new birth control method.

Read Also: Does Birth Control Make Your Period Lighter

You’re In The Early Stages Of Menopause

Perimenopause, which can start as early as your mid-thirties, can cause irregular periods, including ones that are more frequent and heavier than usual, says Dr. Masterson. Other symptoms to watch out for include hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, and sleep problems.

What to do about it

Theres not much you can do here , but there are ways to ease the overall effects of perimenopause, like medications or other therapies, if your OB has confirmed thats whats happening. Hormone replacement therapy, which involves taking a pill to bump up your estrogen levels, can help ease the symptoms of perimenopause and reduce bone loss linked to menopause.

When Should You See A Healthcare Professional For A Long Menstrual Period

If you have a long period for only one month, theres probably no need to worry. But if you notice a change for two or three cycles, thats the time to seek out your doctor, Thielen says.

Any significant bleeding between periods without an explanation such as a recently placed IUD should be evaluated. And a woman past menopause should have no bleeding at all and so should see her doctor immediately if she does.

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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.

How Do I Know When My Second Period Is Coming

Common signs that your period is approaching are:

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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.

Can You Have Your Period At The End Of The Month

If your cycles are on the shorter end of the spectrum, you could have your period at the beginning and end of the month with no reason for concern. But if you experience bleeding outside of your normal menstrual cycle and suspect youre having a second period, the first thing you should do is figure out if its spotting or menstrual bleeding:

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You Have Uterine 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.

What to do about it

Head to your ob-gyn for an ultrasound, a uterine biopsy, or a hysteroscopy . Hormonal medications such as progestins and gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists may lessen symptoms of polyps and shrink uterine fibroids.

I Highly Disagree With This

That type of information is a huge disservice to you. Your body is on your side and when things come up like this it is trying to tell you something.

You should have a nice, regular period with no spotting so if it comes up, get it checked out. For my patients, I make sure that their health is optimized so they can have the energy and vitality that they are looking for. This includes making sure they dont have any underlying hormone issues going on and working together to find the root cause of what they are struggling with to help them find the vibrant health they are looking for.

If you are working with a practitioner who tells you spotting between periods is normal, then its time to find a practitioner who will work on finding that root cause for you and helping you achieve vibrant health. Book a time with me to talk about your options.

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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.

Periods Every Two Weeks Or Two Periods In One Month

When a woman’s period deviates from a fairly regular cycle – for instance, having a period every two weeks or a period twice in one month – it is said to be irregular. Abnormal periods can encompass a broad range of issues concerning a woman’s menstrual cycle, including their frequency.

Continue reading to learn more about periods every two weeks, including what is an irregular period, what causes two periods in one month, and how to manage and treat them with ease!

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When Should I See A Doctor About My Menstrual Cycle

Contact your doctor or your local Planned Parenthood health center if:

• Youre worried that you might be pregnant because youve had unprotected sex and missed your period.

• Your period is so heavy that you have to change maxi pads or super tampons every hour.

• Your period lasts much longer than usual, or longer than 7 days.

• You’re light-headed, dizzy, or your pulse is racing.

• Youre 16 years old and still havent gotten your period.

• You have severe pain before or during your period.

• You have unusual bleeding between periods.

• You suddenly feel sick or get a fever when using a tampon.

• Your periods or PMS keeps you from your normal day-to-day activities.

• Your periods stop or suddenly become irregular.

• Your period comes more often than every 21 days or less often than every 45 days.

• You get very anxious or depressed around the time you get your period.