When To Call Your Doctor Or Midwife
If your period seems weird or off in any way, the first thing to do is take a pregnancy test. If it is negative, wait to see how your next period goes. If you have another period that feels or seems off, it might be time to make an appointment with your doctor or midwife.
They can perform an exam to figure out what is causing the irregularities in your cycle and answer any questions you have about your menstrual cycle.
There are certain situations where it can be especially helpful to seek the advice of your doctor or midwife, such as:
- The length of your menstrual cycles is erratic
- You are trying to get pregnant and you notice that your cycle length is shorter than 25 days
- You are under 35 years old and have been trying to conceive for over a year OR you are over 35 and have not conceived in six months
Number : When Do You Get Your Period On Birth Control
So the pill was designed so you’d get your period during the time you take the placebo or “sugar” pills, also called inactive pills. This commonly happens for a week at the end of a standard pill pack.
Though you may be supposed to get a period during the placebo week, it doesn’t always happen. You can be late or early, or never see it come at all. The UK National Health Service says that irregular bleeding, like bleeding between periods, is common when you’re first starting to take birth control.
That said, there are carefully designed times you’re supposed to get your period while on birth control. Note this varies depending on the type of birth control that you take. The combined oral contraceptive pill are the most common.
When To See The Doctor For Pregnancy With Irregular Periods
You might see the doctor for irregular periods in any of the following cases:
- Your period suddenly becomes irregular after being regular
- You havent had a period for 90 days or more
- You have a period more often than every 21 days or less often than every 35 days
- Your period lasts for more than seven days
- Your period is unusually heavy
- Your period is incredibly painful
- You bleed in between your periods
Your doctor will help determine the cause of your irregular period and suggest a course of action.
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Signs Of Pregnancy With Irregular Periods
If you are pregnant, you may experience any or all of the following symptoms of early pregnancy:
Implantation bleeding
Some women bleed at the time of implantation, which occurs about one or two weeks after fertilization. It can be easy to mistake the signs of implantation, which include cramps and bleeding, for a light period. Some things that can help you tell the difference are:
- Unlike some periods, implantation bleeding never includes clots of coagulated, or semisolid, blood and tissue.
- Implantation bleeding is very light in flow.
- While period blood is reddish, implantation bleeding is pink or brown.
- Implantation bleeding should only last one to three days.
Nausea
Due to hormonal changes, nausea is one of the most common symptoms of early pregnancy, often starting as early as two weeks after conception. It may or may not be accompanied by vomiting. Low blood sugar levels in the morning often react with the hormones, leading to more frequent nausea in the morning.
Swollen or tender breasts
Some women first notice the effects of pregnancy hormones on their breasts, which can become swollen or tender.
Fatigue
During early pregnancy, your body is changing to accommodate the fetus, which can make you feel tired. Rising levels of progesterone can also contribute to fatigue.
Other symptoms
The following symptoms are less common in the first few weeks of pregnancy but may still occur during the first trimester:
When Should You See A Doctor About A New Pregnancy
If youve taken a pregnancy test and its positive, go ahead and make your first prenatal visit right away.
At the first prenatal visit, youll get a physical exam and other tests to make sure everything is looking healthy, and youll learn about your pregnancy timeline. Youll also get to talk through any expectations and questions you have about your pregnancy.
Questions or concerns about your symptoms? Our 24/7 nurse line is free for our members and patients.
Positive pregnancy test? Schedule a visit.
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Can I Be Pregnant
Regular intake of the pill would ensure that you do not get pregnant. While it is possible to get pregnant while on the pill but it only happens if you miss a dose. Moreover, in case of pregnancy, the period is not early but is in fact late. Therefore, there is little chance that you are pregnant. However, developing symptoms of breakthrough bleeding is possible for some women on the pill. What happens is that the uteruss lining becomes vulnerable when you are using oral contraceptive pills for a while, resulting in spotting. The actual period comes when you have finished your pills. Breakthrough bleeding does not indicate pregnancy or a medical issue. It is still upsetting and must be discussed with the OB GYN doctor if it continues to happen. The doctor can confirm breakthrough bleeding by performing a simple examination. If breakthrough bleeding is in fact the reason then you would have to change the birth control pill you are using.
Why Is My Period Only Lasting 2 Days
Disease or Health Problem. When a womans period only lasted 2 days, the sudden short period may be caused by disease or a health problem. Diseases such as tuberculosis, irritable bowel syndrome, diabetes and liver disease, can cause missed or irregular periods, and you may want to be screened for problems such as, Asherman s syndrome, or polycystic ovary syndrome.
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What Are The Signs Of Implantation
Implantation is the process when an embryo attaches itself to the uterine lining. It doesnt always cause symptoms. However, some people report feeling light cramping, headaches, and mood swings around the time of implantation. Implantation bleeding can occur around the date when you expect your period, but its usually lighter and only causes pink or brown spotting or discharge.
A Late Period Under 16
Many teenagers want to know why their period is late. For many, the first few years of menstruation involve irregular periods.
The body is still developing in this stage of life, and a teens ovaries do not always release an egg monthly. This may result in irregular cycles fewer than 20 or more than 45 days. A typical cycle for teenagers lasts between 21 and 45 days.
Having fluctuating periods for two years or less during adolescence is likely nothing to worry about. Your health care provider can conduct a physical exam to make sure everythings healthy. Teens cycles start to regulate as their hormone levels stabilize, although some will still have irregular cycles on an ongoing basis.
Continue monitoring your body. When your period comes, use Flo to log the date and your symptoms. The app can help you better predict your period, even if you have an irregular cycle.
Read Also: Bleeding But Not On My Period
You Have Gynecological Or Medical Conditions
If you have any problems with your uterus or ovaries, your period may stop or become irregular. Visit a gynecologist if you’re experiencing any abnormal changes.
If you’ve made any recent lifestyle changes and your period comes a little early, then you probably don’t need to worry. In the end, âYou have to think about whatâs normal,â Dr. Millheiser says. âWhen periods come a little bit earlier, especially if it’s in the context of a couple days or a week, we generally don’t get concerned about that.â You generally donât have to worry about small changes in the timing of your period unless it starts occurring more frequently than every 21 days.
Instead of being worried that your period came early, be happy your body is responding to external factors and itâs aware of what’s going on in your life.
Experts:
Youre On A Certain Type Of Medication
Beyond the birth control pill, certain medicines could also affect your period, thanks to the chemicals in them. NSAIDs , antidepressants, thyroid medications, and steroids might shorten flow, Dr. Dweck says.
The way each of these medications lighten your flow varies slightly. With NSAIDs, the idea is that the NSAID reduces the number of inflammation compounds called prostaglandins, which in turn can lessen the amount of bleeding because prostaglandins affect the blood vessels in the inner lining of the uterus, explains womens health expert Jennifer Wider, MD.
Not sure if the meds youve taken are messing with your flow? Ruling out other causes of change in flow and taking a good medical history might lead to diagnosing medication as the cause of menstrual change,” Dr. Dweck says.
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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.
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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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.
Bright Red To Dark Red Or Dark Brown
Healthy Period
A healthy blood color ranges from bright red to dark red or brown, depending on how new the blood shed from the uterus is. Some people might describe their old period blood as black, but this can be a sign for something else .
Egg Implantation Spotting
Less likely, brown period blood could also be spotting from egg implantation light bleeding that can occur in the very early stages of pregnancy.
Ovarian Cysts and Lochia
Lochia is natural bleeding that occurs after having a baby. It is mild-to-heavy and lasts around 6-8 weeks after birth, but youll know if youve given birth recently. This colour of period blood may also be a sign of ovarian cysts. Cysts on your ovaries can often go unnoticed, but if youre worried or experiencing other symptoms, like pain during and after sex, or bloating of your abdomen, you should book in to see your doctor.
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Is It Normal For Your First Period To Last 2 Days
It is not normal to have a period of 2 days. For many women, a normal menstrual period can last 4 to 6 days. Just as every woman is unique, every womans menstrual period is also unique. After a few years of monthly menstrual bleeding, most women have a feel for their periods duration, frequency, and flow.
Can Getting Your Period Twice In One Month Be A Sign Of Pregnancy
Irregular bleeding during pregnancy occurs for some women, and its possible to mistake irregular bleeding for your period. If you get your period twice in one month and are sexually active, you may want to take a pregnancy test to see if youre experiencing irregular bleeding as a result of being pregnant.
Read Also: Why Do I Lose Weight On My Period
When To See Your Doctor
Its important to know what is normal for your period so you can tell when something is out of the ordinary and just not right. If youre experiencing any prolonged changes in your menstrual cycle or any of the following signs, reach out to your doctor:
- Bleeding between periods
- Significantly irregular cycles, varying in length shorter than 24 days or longer than 38
- No period for over three months
- If youre pregnant and notice bleeding
- If youve experienced menopause and are bleeding
- Unusual pain during your period
Period blood colors and textures vary throughout your cycle this is completely normal! The most important thing is to pay attention to your body and the patterns of variations in your period. Minor changes in period color and texture dont necessarily suggest a health problem, and you know whats normal for your body.
Is Spotting A Symptom Of Ectopic Pregnancy
Spotting can be a symptom of an ectopic pregnancy . This is a pregnancy that is growing somewhere other than the uterus, usually the fallopian tube. Ectopic pregnancy bleeding may be coupled with other symptoms including abdominal pain on one side, shoulder pain, and/or dizziness.
If you experience symptoms of spotting and suspect you may have an ectopic pregnancy, seek immediate medical help.
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