Getting two periods in one month can be alarming, and while it is not uncommon, it can indicate an underlying health condition. In this article, we explore the five possible reasons why you might be experiencing two periods in a single month.
- You may have thyroid problems
Your hormones are regulated by the thyroid. When the thyroid experiences issues, your periods may get affected as well. The thyroid is this small, butterfly-shaped gland that is located in front of your throat.
This gland regulates your metabolism and controls bodily temperature. When the thyroid malfunctions, hormone production gets interrupted and you may experience irregular menstrual cycles.
Some people have an overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism) and some people have an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism). In both cases, irregular periods are quite a common symptom.
When your hormones are produced in excess, you may have a much shorter menstrual cycle that your period comes back again within the same month.
An article featured on the Grace Health blog highlights that various studies have indicated the influence of both Hypothyroidism and Hyperthyroidism, two conditions indicative of thyroid issues, on menstrual cycles. The effects can manifest through a spectrum of symptoms, spanning from heavy and frequent periods to irregular and absent cycles.
Having thyroid problems usually also causes you to feel tired all the time. Thyroid problems need professional help, so you should not hesitate to make a doctor’s visit and get treatment.
You will usually be prescribed certain medicines to control your symptoms.
- You may have uterine fibroids
Uterine fibroids happen when there are tissue growths in the uterus. The tissue is similar to the uterus lining but it is not. These abnormal growths are non-cancerous but they do make some kind of swelling in the uterus.
This can cause pain and heavy bleeding. When uterine fibroids cause heavy bleeding, your period may become very long (lasting more than 7 days).
In another scenario, your period may simply come back much sooner because there is still a lot of blood that needs to be shed.
Uterine fibroids are not cancerous or life-threatening, however, the pains that come with this condition can be rather unbearable. Plus, having heavy periods all the time is not fun.
And when left untreated, uterine fibroids could affect a woman’s fertility rate. With that said, it is important to get yourself checked for uterine fibroids if you often have more than 2 periods within a single month.
- You have entered perimenopause
Before menopause, there is perimenopause. Perimenopause is the years leading up to your last period.
In some women, perimenopause happens some 4 to 6 years before menopause begins; but in some others, it may happen earlier, some 8 to 10 years prior.
During this phase, perimenopause, your female sex hormones are beginning to fluctuate. This then has an effect on how often you have your period.
In some cases, when hormones are so low, you may have a longer cycle or even skip a period altogether. Meanwhile, when hormone levels are very high, you may have a much shorter cycle and get 2 periods within a single month.
As noted by Verywell Health, in this period, one of the hormones that experiences a decrease is estrogen. This hormonal shift can contribute to an irregular menstrual cycle and lead to periods occurring more frequently or less often, potentially resulting in two periods within a single month. If these changes in your menstrual pattern are linked to perimenopause, there’s a possibility of managing them through the use of birth control pills, patches, or rings.
This can be annoying but it is hardly a source for concern. As long as you are healthy, this is just a phase. However, since you are entering menopause anyway, it is also a good idea to get yourself checked by your gyno every now and then.
- You are just very, very young
On the other hand, if you are very, very young and you have only gotten your period, chances are, your period is still not regular. Sometimes, your period cycle is too long and sometimes it is too short.
On average, a woman’s menstrual cycle lasts for 28 days. A variation of that ranges between 24 and 38 days. But sometimes, young girls can have a menstrual cycle that is so short that the period comes again within the same month.
As reported by Verywell Health, the frequency of your periods, their duration, and the volume of bleeding are all under the sway of your body’s hormonal levels, which undergo fluctuations throughout your lifespan. In adolescence, hormone shifts are frequent, resulting in irregular cycles. However, as you progress into your 20s or 30s, your menstrual cycles tend to stabilize.
As long as you are not particularly ill or that you have not gotten an injury to the pelvic area, this is hardly a source of concern.
Health experts have suggested that it usually takes young girls around 6 to 8 years until their period becomes regular. Of course, during that growth period, if you tend to deal with heavy stress your cycle may still get interrupted.
- It’s just a one-time anomaly
Although having more than 1 period in a month can be quite surprising, it is not always a sign of a health issue.
Your body sometimes goes through unexpected changes and this may have an effect on your hormones.
When your hormones are up and down, they may affect the body’s signal for shedding the uterine lining and when this happens, menstruation happens. This may just be a one-time anomaly of the body.
And if you don’t notice anything else that is out of the ordinary and especially if it doesn’t happen again, you should not be concerned about it.
If you want to balance your hormone levels, you can try to change your diet and exercise habits. When it comes to diet, you don’t actually need to ‘diet’ but you need to eat in a balanced way.
Light physical exercises on a daily basis would also suffice.
To draw a final remark, five reasons were discussed that can lead females to experience two periods in a month. We are sure that the five reasons we discussed can help you learn more about the monthly menstrual cycle.
Two Periods In One Month: What Does It Mean?
The menstrual cycle is a natural and essential part of a woman’s reproductive health. It typically occurs once a month, lasting for approximately 28 days. However, there are instances where a woman may experience two periods in one month, which can be concerning and confusing. This occurrence can be caused by various factors, and it is essential to understand the potential causes and implications of having two periods in one month.
Firstly, it is essential to understand the normal menstrual cycle to better understand the occurrence of two periods in one month. The menstrual cycle is controlled by hormonal changes in the body, specifically estrogen and progesterone. The cycle starts on the first day of the period, where the uterus sheds its lining from the previous month. This shedding occurs due to a drop in estrogen and progesterone levels. After the period ends, the uterus starts to build up its lining again in preparation for a potential pregnancy. If pregnancy does not occur, the lining is shed again, and the cycle repeats.
The average length of a menstrual cycle is 28 days, but it can vary from 21 to 35 days in different women. The menstrual cycle can also be affected by various factors such as stress, weight changes, and underlying health conditions. Irregularities in the menstrual cycle, such as two periods in one month, can be caused by these factors.
One of the most common causes of two periods in one month is hormonal imbalances. As mentioned earlier, hormonal changes control the menstrual cycle, and any imbalance in these hormones can cause irregularities. This imbalance can be caused by stress, weight changes, and underlying health conditions such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) or thyroid disorders. In these cases, the body may release an egg from the ovary at an unexpected time, causing an extra period in a month.
Another potential cause of two periods in one month is the use of hormonal birth control. Birth control pills work by regulating the hormone levels in the body, preventing ovulation and pregnancy. However, skipping or missing pills can disrupt the hormone balance and cause breakthrough bleeding, leading to two periods in one month. Additionally, starting a new birth control pill can also cause irregularities in the menstrual cycle, including two periods in one month, as the body adjusts to the new hormone levels.
In some cases, two periods in one month can also be a sign of an underlying health condition. Endometriosis, uterine fibroids, and pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) are some of the conditions that can cause irregular bleeding. These conditions can also cause other symptoms such as pelvic pain, heavy bleeding, and painful periods. If you experience two periods in one month along with any of these symptoms, it is essential to consult a healthcare provider for further evaluation and treatment.
While having two periods in one month may be concerning, it is not always a cause for worry. In most cases, it can be caused by temporary hormonal imbalances and can resolve on its own. However, if the irregularities persist or are accompanied by other symptoms, it is essential to seek medical attention. A healthcare provider can help determine the underlying cause and provide appropriate treatment.
In conclusion, having two periods in one month can be caused by various factors, such as hormonal imbalances, birth control use, and underlying health conditions. While it can be concerning, it is not always a cause for worry. However, if the irregularities persist or are accompanied by other symptoms, it is crucial to seek medical attention. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle, managing stress, and keeping track of your menstrual cycle can help regulate your periods and prevent irregularities. Understanding your body and its needs is essential for maintaining good reproductive health.
