Irregular periods
If your period is off schedule by a couple of days, there’s no need to worry. This can happen to anyone. Sometimes your period is longer than the previous one, and sometimes it happens that you skip a period. In and of itself, there's no harm in an irregular period, but it can be difficult when you’re trying to get pregnant or if you just want to know where you stand.
On average, a woman with a 28-day cycle is the most fertile between the eleventh and fifteenth day of her cycle - you start counting from the moment your period starts. If you don’t have your period or it starts earlier/later, then calculating your most fertile period becomes more difficult. Because, if you start your period earlier, for example, your most fertile period starts earlier as well. Please note that just like the degree and duration of your period, the cycle can differ as well. Normally, a cycle lasts 28 days, but it can just as well be 21 or 35 days. If your cycle falls somewhere in between, gynecologists still consider your period as regular.
Do you want to know more about your menstrual cycle? Read our article where we explain step by step what happens in your body during your cycle.
When is your cycle abnormal?
Oligomenorrhea Too much or too little menstrual blood isn’t abnormal per say, but it can cause symptoms/concerns. We only speak of an abnormal cycle when there is no discernable pattern or when the period is extremely long - this means less than six periods a year. If the time between periods is longer than 35 days but shorter than six months, it’s possible you have oligomenorrhea (infrequent menses). In mild forms of oligomenorrhea, ovulations sometimes do occur.
Polymenorrhea and hypermenorrhea If your period is frequent and often shorter than 21 days it can indicate you might have polymenorrhea (frequent menses) or hypermenorrhea (excessive bleeding). Up to 120 ml blood per period is considered a normal amount of blood loss. Excessive blood loss - over 120 ml - can lead to anemia. This is abnormal. It’s easier to measure your blood loss with a menstrual cup.
Amenorrhea If there’s more than six months in between your periods, it’s called amenorrhea (absence of menses). This usually means that no ovulation takes place. If you are sixteen and you haven’t had your period yet, it’s called primary amenorrhea. If this is the case, there is always a reason for further investigation/referral to a gynecologist.
What is the cause of an irregular cycle?
You just had your first period or you have reached menopause
Just had your first couple of periods? Then it’s completely normal that your body is still trying to find its rhythm. Are you nearing the menopause or are you not sure? In that case, an irregular cycle is completely normal as well. Your body is letting you know that your fertility is declining. You haven’t had your period for a long time and you’re nowhere near the menopause? Visit your GP, further investigation may be necessary.
Stopping birth control
Contraception can also affect your cycle. When you stop taking contraceptives, the rhythm of your cycle is completely overturned. But your cycle should return back to normal after quitting birth control. The so-called post-pill-amenorrhea (the absence of your period after pill usage) is a myth. If your cycle has trouble getting started, then something might be wrong.
PCOS
An irregular cycle is one of the symptoms of PCOS. PCOS is the most common hormonal disorder in women. The characteristics of this condition are: no or irregular period, excessive hair and/or acne, and after making an ultrasound, you are found to have a series of more than twelve fluid-filled sacs on your ovaries. It is diagnosed if you have 10-12 fluid-filled sacs on at least one ovary, in addition to an irregular or absent menstruation. Excessive hair and acne do not always have to be present.
Do you recognize yourself in this? Read our extensive article about PCOS, what it is, and what you can do.
Outside factors
Outside factors can also contribute to an irregular menstrual cycle. Here’s a list:
Extreme exercise
Exercising is healthy for both body and mind, but burning a lot of fat lowers your estrogen levels.
Medication
Some medications affect your estrogen and progesterone levels. Check the package leaflet to see if this is the case and consult with your doctor if you have any questions or concerns.
Extreme weight gain or loss
Your body weight can have a major impact on your period. For example, women below a certain weight may have less or no periods, because estrogen levels are too low. If this happens under the age of 25, then there’s a higher risk of developing osteoporosis at a later age.
Help, I have an irregular cycle!
Why do you get your period and what goes “wrong” when your period is late or even absent? First things first, there’s absolutely nothing wrong with you if your period is irregular. From your first period onwards, your body is preparing itself for a possible pregnancy every month. The uterus makes extra endometrium and the ovaries provide an egg that can be fertilized. If the egg is not fertilized by a sperm cell, then the prepared ‘chamber’ is cleaned up and the whole cycle repeats itself the following month.
On average, a period lasts between two to seven days. Your new cycle starts the moment you start bleeding. If your period never starts at the same time, but your cycle stays within the 21 to 35 days? Then your body is simply having difficulty finding a rhythm. If this doesn’t bother you, leave it be, because it is not a sign that you’re infertile. If this does cause you stress and your cycle is longer/shorter than 21-35 days, however, then it’s a good idea to visit your GP or a gynecologist.
Last but not least: stopping birth control
Contraception can also affect your cycle. When you stop taking contraceptives, the rhythm of your cycle is completely overturned. But your cycle should return back to normal after quitting birth control. The so-called post-pill-amenorrhea (the absence of your period after pill usage) is a myth. If your cycle has trouble getting started, then something might be wrong and a visit to your GP or gynecologist can be worthwhile.
