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.
Can You Get Your Period Twice In A Month
Yes, if you are dealing with PCOS or polycystic ovarian syndrome then there is a chance that you might get your period twice in a month. Says Dr Mittal, PCOS is all about hormonal imbalance and hormones have a direct implication on your periods. Not just two periods in one month but no period at all can also be a situation for some ladies.
When Will I Get My Period After Birth
In the postpartum phase, youll experience a vaginal discharge of blood, mucus, and uterine tissue. This discharge, known as lochia, starts off heavy and bright red. Within the next six to eight weeks, it will lighten, become more irregular, and turn dark brown/yellow before tapering off.
Although lochia resembles a periodand you’ll need to wear a pad to control the blood flowits not the same thing as menstruation. Your actual period wont return for a few weeks or months after giving birth. The timeline largely depends on whether or not youre breastfeeding.
If you’re not breastfeeding… your period will probably return four to eight weeks after childbirth, according to Amina White, M.D., clinical associate professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
If you are breastfeeding… you’ll likely get your period much later, since prolactin wards off ovulation. Menstruation may take weeks or months to return. Irregular periods while breastfeeding are especially common if youre doing a combination of formula-feeding and breastfeeding.
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Brown Discharge And Pregnancy
Some light bleeding or brown discharge is normal during early pregnancy, but any time you have bleeding during pregnancy, you should call your doctor or midwife.
Brown discharge during pregnancy can be a sign of early miscarriage. If you see brown discharge, note whether you have other abnormal symptoms, such as tissue or heavy pink fluid coming out of your vagina. Other warning signs related to early pregnancy include:
- not experiencing nausea or your normal pregnancy symptoms
If you feel any combination of these symptoms, see your doctor right away to make sure they arent signs of a miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy.
Some substances, including cigarettes, alcohol, and illicit drugs like marijuana or cocaine, can cause miscarriages. Its recommended that you avoid all of these substances completely while pregnant.
A similar discharge that varies in color, called lochia, can appear after you have a baby. Follow your doctor or midwifes directions about when to follow up.
Brown discharge can also often happen after an abortion. If you have recently had an abortion, follow the directions you were given about who and when to call with symptoms.
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.
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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.
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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Brown Discharge And Menopause
As you age, your periods may change. The stage before menopause is called perimenopause. Brown discharge is normal during this stage as long as you dont experience other abnormal symptoms. Menopause officially begins once 12 months have passed since your last period. During the postmenopausal stage, after youve gone 12 months without having a period, you shouldnt have any bleeding or brown discharge.
Most of the time, bleeding or discharge during menopause isnt a serious problem. However, blood and discharge can be related to inflammation of your vaginal lining , noncancerous polyps in your cervix, or other issues in your uterus or cervix including cancer.
If its been over a year since youve had your last period, see your doctor to identify any issues that may be causing bleeding or discharge. Many conditions that cause postmenopausal bleeding can easily be treated, especially if theyre caught early.
Easing The Transition To Menopause
A genetic test may one day determine a persons likelihood of early menopause. For now, though, only time will tell when youll start your transition.
See your doctor for regular checkups, and be proactive about your reproductive health. Doing so can help your doctor ease the symptoms or decrease your risk factors for early menopause.
Seeing a therapist can also help you cope with any pain or anxiety you may feel during menopause.
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How Do I Fix My On And Off Period
Periods that keep coming and going have many causes, but mostly are just a sign that your body and hormones need a little extra support. The cause of your stop-start period will determine the best treatment to restore a normal bleed. Below are some suggestions for a healthy period to try:
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Restore blood flow to the pelvic area: in the days leading up to your period and once you start bleeding, use a hot water bottle over your pelvis to encourage healthy blood flow
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Consider seeking out a Maya Abdominal Massage Therapist, Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioner or acupuncturist
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Explore potential hormone imbalances and correct them naturally through diet changes and supplements
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Explore your emotional connection to your cycle. Is there anything you are holding on to that you need to let go of? Menstruation is the perfect time to go inwards and reflect on the previous month. What worked for you? What didnt? Where would you like to focus your energy in the upcoming month? Learn more about living in sync with the seasons of your cycle in this guest blog I wrote on Nicole Jardims website
Vaginal Infection In Women
Women with pelvic inflammatory disease caused by gonorrhea and chlamydia infection can sometimes have irregular bleeding or spotting during their menstrual cycle. This bleeding is usually lighter than you menstruation with other symptoms like
- Low abdomen pain
- Abnormal green discharge or yellow discharge from your vagina
- Vaginal itching and pain
If you notice these symptoms, then your early period may be due to an infection. Inform your doctor as vaginal infection can easily be treated with antibiotics.
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Two Periods In One Month: Are Multiple Periods A Reason To Worry
Normal menstrual cycles range from 21 to 35 days. However, its not uncommon to experience monthly variations in menstrual cycles. Some cycles may be shorter and others longer, which means its possible to have 2 periods in a month.
In most cases, getting a period twice a month has a simple explanation. If it happens repeatedly, however, its important to take notice of any signs and symptoms. Read on to learn why two periods may happen in the same month.
What Causes Irregular Period
Menstrual cycle irregularities such as having period twice in one month can be due to various factors. Here are some of the causes:
- Premature ovarian failure: Premature ovarian failure or primary ovarian insufficiency is described as the loss of normal ovarian function before 40 years of age. It can cause infrequent periods over a number of years.
- Polycystic ovary syndrome: This is a common hormonal disorder that can cause small cysts to form on the ovaries, leading to irregular periods.
- Pelvic inflammatory disease: This is an infection of the reproductive organs that can cause irregular menstrual periods.
- Uterine fibroids: These are noncancerous growths that occur in the uterus. Heavy periods and bleeding between periods can be due to uterine fibroids.
- Pregnancy or breastfeeding: Missed or delayed periods can be a sign of pregnancy. After pregnancy, breastfeeding normally delays the resumption of menstruation.
- Extreme weight loss, eating disorders or excessive exercising: Menstruation can be disrupted by extreme weight loss, eating disorders like anorexia nervosa or increased physical activity.
- Thyroid problems: The uterine lining can thicken as a result of thyroid diseases and in turn cause more bleeding.
- Stress: Stress due to financial worries, arguments, or even exams can change your menstrual cycle temporarily.
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Why Do I Have Irregular Periods After Birth
If youre experiencing irregular periods after pregnancy, youre not alone. Read about the causes of this common condition, and learn when your menstruation should return to normal.
Arguably one of the best parts of pregnancy: your period disappears for nine whole months! Once menstruation finally returns, though, it will be confusing and unpredictableand that’s totally normal. Heres everything you need to know about irregular periods after birth.
What Controls The Menstrual Cycle
Your hormones control your menstrual cycle. During each cycle, your brain’s hypothalamus and pituitary gland send hormone signals back and forth with your ovaries. These signals get the ovaries and uterus ready for a pregnancy.
The hormones estrogen and progesterone play the biggest roles in how the uterus changes during each cycle.
- Estrogen builds up the lining of the uterus.
- Progesterone increases after an ovary releases an egg at the middle of the cycle. This helps the estrogen keep the lining thick and ready for a fertilized egg.
- A drop in progesterone causes the lining to break down. This is when your period starts.
A change in hormone levels can affect your cycle or fertility. For example, teens tend to have low or changing progesterone levels. This is also true for women close to menopause. That is why teens and women in their 40s may have heavy menstrual bleeding and cycles that change in length.
Other things can change your cycle. They include birth control pills, low body fat, losing a lot of weight, or being overweight. Stress or very hard exercise also can change your cycle. Pregnancy is the most common cause of a missed period.
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What Is The Normal Period In Girls
If you are seeing your period for the first time and you are not sure about what is normal, these are some period facts you should know.
Period is the shredding of the lining covering your womb. This lining is called the endometrium. During each menstrual cycle, you will experience bleeding that comes out of your vagina. The first time your period starts is menarche. When your period finally stops is called menopause.
A normal period in girls last about 2 to 7 days and you may experience cramps or pain in your abdomen.
A normal period may have blood clots sometimes. This is because excessive period blood clots may not be broken down by fibrinolysin.
Between 2 of your menstruation is your menstrual cycle. It is important that you chart your menstrual cycle to know if its regular or not.
Within each of your menstrual cycle, it is expected that you will ovulate. Ovulation, which occurs in the middle of your cycle, is the rupture of the most mature follicle with the release of an egg . When the egg is released, it is pushed into the fallopian tube for fertilization to take place.
During this rupture of the follicles, there may be slight bleeding that sometimes occurs in girls. This bleeding is the cause of brown discharge in women.