The information on this website is intended for general knowledge only and does not replace medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Herbox is not a medical institution and takes no responsibility for how the information is used. If you have questions about your health or menstruation, always consult a doctor or healthcare provider.
A "normal" menstrual cycle is usually 21-35 days but can vary greatly from person to person. The menstrual cycle's four phases consist of: menstruation, the follicular phase, ovulation and the luteal phase. Most people know that menstruation starts on day 1 of the menstrual cycle and usually lasts between 3 and 8 days, but the number of days can of course vary and it's important not to compare your menstrual cycle too much with others.
If you have a short menstrual cycle, there is no need to worry; there are various factors that can cause the menstrual cycle to become shorter. It is common for the menstrual cycle to be irregular after pregnancy, and it can take some time before it has fully returned after the pregnancy. Here are other things that can cause the menstrual cycle to become irregular:
If you are concerned about your menstrual cycle, you should always contact healthcare professionals.
Your menstrual cycle can change over time and this is usually completely natural. However, if you notice a sudden change in your menstrual cycle where it becomes shorter than 21 days, you should contact healthcare professionals.
If you have a menstrual cycle that is usually longer than 35 days, it may be because ovulation has not occurred; this can be due to various reasons. Further down, you can read about what can affect irregular periods.
If you do not ovulate at all, it can be due to several different reasons. It may be because you have had an infection in the uterus, such as chlamydia or gonorrhoea. Endometriosis is a condition that can cause you not to ovulate. You may experience missed ovulation if you have been affected by radiation during cancer treatment.
Medications such as anabolic steroids, testosterone or progesterone can also cause you not to ovulate. You may have polyps or fibroids in the uterus, known as myomas, which can cause missed ovulation.
The menstrual cycle is sensitive to changes in the body, both big and small. Here are some things that can have an impact:
The menstrual cycle can be affected in different ways depending on age, health, and other factors. If you have just got your first period, it may be irregular at first before it becomes synchronised with the brain.
If you use contraceptives containing both estrogen and progestogen, you may delay your bleeding or have irregular periods. Contraceptives containing both progestogen and estrogen include the pill, the patch, and the vaginal ring. The pill causes the ovaries to rest and thickens the cervical mucus making it difficult for sperm to swim through.
It also thins the lining of the uterus making it difficult for a fertilized egg to implant. If you take the pill, you can choose to have a regular bleeding called a withdrawal bleed (this is not a real period and you are still protected against pregnancy).
Other factors that affect menstruation are pregnancy – in which you do not have a period but may experience slight bleeding. This can be due to various reasons; your midwife can carry out an examination to find out why there is bleeding. Bleeding early in pregnancy can occur when the egg implants in the uterus or at the beginning of pregnancy as the body adjusts.
Other reasons you might bleed during pregnancy include increased blood flow in the cervix or the placenta lying low and covering the birth canal. Bleeding before 12 weeks of pregnancy can be a sign of miscarriage, which can be very difficult and emotional. Remember, there is always help and support available.
If you are underweight or overweight, your menstrual cycle can be affected. It can also be affected if you train hard. This is because the body cannot produce oestrogen if you weigh too little, so ovulation cannot occur and you may not get your period. But your period will return when you reach your normal weight and eat regularly.
Stress and illnesses, such as eating disorders, can cause your menstrual cycle to change or become irregular. This is the body’s way of protecting against pregnancy because it believes it cannot care for a child.
PCOS is a condition that can cause periods to stop or for there to be long intervals between bleeding. PCOS causes an imbalance of hormones in the ovaries, meaning they produce too much of the hormone testosterone. The testosterone prevents the eggs in the ovaries from maturing and being released.
If it takes more than four months between your periods, you should seek medical care. If you have PCOS, it may also be difficult to get pregnant, you may find it easier to gain weight, and you may develop acne. Remember that there is always help available if you feel worried.
Endometriosis means that the uterine lining is located in places other than the uterus, such as on the ovaries or the abdominal wall. This lining also bleeds during menstruation just like the uterus does, but because the blood has nowhere to go, it can cause severe pain.
As you approach your 40s, the body begins to prepare for menopause, which means that hormone levels change and menstruation becomes more irregular. When the ovaries stop producing eggs, menstruation ceases entirely. Here are some common symptoms that you are in menopause:
You may experience sweating, hot flashes, or chills. It is also common to feel extra tired or to have sleep problems.
If you suddenly experience a changed menstrual cycle from what is usual, you should contact healthcare; it may not be serious, but it is important to keep track of your body.
If you use contraceptives that contain hormones, they prevent ovulation. The mini-pill and the middle pill can cause you to bleed more than usual or not at all during your period. If you use the combined pill, you do not ovulate but can have bleeding if you take a break.
If you use contraceptives containing hormones, you may have small irregular bleedings that are not menstruation. A hormonal IUD can cause irregular periods for the first 3-6 months, after which the bleeding usually stops completely. Your period stops if you use the contraceptive injection because you do not ovulate, but you may experience bleeding that is not due to menstruation.
If you stop using a contraceptive that contains hormones, such as the pill, your period may become irregular initially after you have stopped, but it usually returns to normal afterwards.
Understanding your menstrual cycle can help you better plan and take care of your health. If you feel that your menstrual cycle is irregular, you can use a period calendar, which helps you keep track of where you are in your cycle.
It can be helpful to keep track of your menstrual cycle to avoid worry. If you want better control over your cycle, you can use a period calendar or an app:
This can help you understand your body better and know when you ovulate, if your periods are irregular, or if something feels different.
Understanding your cycle helps you read your body, plan better, and feel more in sync with yourself. And remember, everyone is different, so the most important thing is to listen to yourself!
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