The menstrual cycle occurs in all females from the onset to puberty (average age 11 or 12 years) to the menopause in middle age (average age between 45-55). The lining of the uterus is shed via vaginal bleeding when a girl or woman has not conceived a pregnancy.
The menstrual period lasts between two days and seven days, usually occurring once every 28 days, although anything from once every 24 days to once every 35 days is considered normal.
If you are having a period more than once every 24 days, it is considered an irregular cycle.
Having a period once every two weeks, or twice a month is abnormal and you should see your doctor because you may become anemic if you are having very frequent periods. They are sometimes a sign of infection or other medical problem that would need treatment.
Reasons for a period every two weeks could be:
• Dramatic weight loss or gain -- This changes the hormones in the body and these are responsible for directing when the period will start.
• Excessive exercise -- This too disrupts hormones.
• Stress -- Exams, family argument, financial worries, divorce, even a holiday can cause a temporary change in your menstrual cycle.
• Illness and/or medications -- Some medications can affect your cycle. Talk to your doctor about altering or stopping your medication if you think this is happening.
• Uterine problems such as polyps, cysts, fibroids or tumors (either benign or cancerous).
• Sexually transmitted infections -- These can cause bleeding in between periods which can be mistaken for a period.
• Thyroid problems -- Thyroid disease could cause a thickening of the uterine lining, resulting in more bleeding than normal.
• Reactions to contraceptive methods -- Sometimes the pill, depo provera injections or the copper-only IUD can result in a change in your cycle.
~ The pill and IUD can make you bleed in between periods, known as "breakthrough bleeding" and this may be mistaken for a period.
~ The IUD can also make your periods heavier.
~ The depo-provera injection can make your cycle irregular, however, it often stops your period altogether instead of making it more frequent.
~ Sometimes changing or stopping your method of contraception can cause a sudden drop in hormones and this can result in a change to your cycle.
• Onset of menopause -- In women aged 45 and over, having periods every two weeks can be a sign that you are about to go through menopause. It can be a sign of ovulation beginning to shut down. If you are under 45, having irregular periods in addition to other symptoms commonly associated with menopause, may signal premature ovarian failure.
Treatment
Sometimes treatment is not necessary, for instance, if the disruption in cycle is due to stress, weight loss or gain, or illness, it may be temporary and may correct itself in time.
However, to rule out other possibilities your doctor will perform a pelvic examination. Your doctor may also take a sample of the uterine lining as well as doing an ultrasound scan to see if there are any obstructions in the uterus, such as fibroids.
If any obstructions are found, you can be referred for surgery to have them removed. If any cancer is found, you will be referred to an oncologist who will plan your care with you.
Sexually transmitted infections can be treated with antibiotics (and the use of condoms to prevent further infections). Your partner may have to be treated as well.
If the problem is caused by a contraceptive device or medication, this can usually be changed to stop the problem.
Heavy and/or frequent periods can sometimes be controlled by certain brands of the pill. If you find they are really disrupting your life, for instance, you are bleeding through your clothes, have to miss work days and can’t plan your holidays, this may be an option depending on your medical history.
Hormone treatment could also be given in this scenario, if you have thyroid disease or if you are starting menopause.
Sources:
Periods, Heavy. NHS Choices. Web. 26 May 2012. http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/periods-heavy/pages/introduction.aspx
Heavy Periods (Menorrhagia). WebMD. Retrieved May 27, 2012.
http://women.webmd.com/guide/heavy-period-causes-treatments
Top Ten Causes of Heavy Menstrual Bleeding. About.com Women's health. Retrieved May 27, 2012. http://womenshealth.about.com/od/abnormalbleeding/a/causemenorrhagi.htm
Irregular Periods Every Two Weeks, 34 Menopause Symptoms. Web. 26 May 2012.
http://www.34-menopause-symptoms.com/irregular-periods/articles/irregular-periods-every-two-weeks.htm
Premature Ovarian Failure, National Insititute for Child Health and Human Development. Web. 26 May 2012. http://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/Premature_Ovarian_Failure.cfm
Joanna is a freelance health writer for The Mother magazine and Suite 101 with a column on infertility, http://infertility.suite101.com/ She is the mother of five children and practices natural childbirth, delayed cord clamping, full term breastfeeding and organic food diet.
Reviewed May 28, 2012
by Michele Blacksberg RN
Edited by Jody Smith
Add a Comment221 Comments
Hi, I'm a 48 year old woman and have on occasions gotten my period twice a month for the last couple of years. Considering my age, do you think this could be the onset of menopause?
February 5, 2016 - 5:30pmThis Comment
Hi Anonymous,
Fluctuations in estrogen levels are an early sign of perimenopause. Your menstrual cycles may lengthen or shorten, and you may begin having menstrual cycles in which you do not ovulate.
Women start perimenopause at different ages. You may notice signs of progression toward menopause, such as menstrual irregularity, sometime in your 40s. But some women notice changes as early as their mid-30s.
Anonymous, I would be concerned if you have two periods every month. This could lead to iron deficiency anemia and should be discussed with your gynecologist.
Regards,
February 8, 2016 - 10:48amMaryann
This Comment
Hey, my period was always normal from the age of 12 to 14. Starting either in 9th or 10th grade, my periods gradually came earlier and earlier. At some point I realized I had been gettinG my periods every 17 days, twice a month. I've been like this for about 5 years now. I know it has to do with a hormonal imbalance because ever since my period became irregular, I've had terrible hormonal acne that just won't go away. I'm afraid of going to a gyno because I've never been to one because I'm not sexually active. I don't want a doctor looking at my crotch and I'm afraid of needles for blood tests. I thought about taking birth control to regulate my period but my mother won't let me because she wants me to figure out what's wrong with me before I take anything. What should I do?
January 29, 2016 - 7:50amThis Comment
Hello Anonymous,
I agree with your mother. You need to know the exact cause for this unusual menstrual cycle pattern before any treatment can be prescribed.
I can appreciate your concerns. The first pelvic exam can be stressful to the patient. But, if you choose the right gynecologist, someone who makes you feel at ease, it won't be so bad.
Trust me , needles used to draw blood are so fine, and with a skilled phlebotomist, you won't feel anything beyond the first pinch.
Regards,
January 29, 2016 - 9:12amMaryann
This Comment
Thanks for the reply. I think I can handle the blood test, but are you saying that the pelvic exam will definitely happen or is there a chance I might not need one?
January 29, 2016 - 9:19amThis Comment
Hello Anonymous,
Generally, a pelvic exam is part of the initial appointment. You could always ask when you schedule the appointment.
Maryann
January 29, 2016 - 9:28amThis Comment
My Daughter is 20 and stopped the DEPO shot in March 2015. It took until October 2015 to get her period back but now she has a period every 2 weeks that last about 5 days. Any suggestions?
January 20, 2016 - 11:43amThis Comment
Hello Anonymous,
Your daughter needs to report this to her gynecologist.
Did she have irregular menstrual cycles before starting the injection?
Maryann
January 21, 2016 - 10:08amThis Comment
I'm 26 years I have the arm implant birth control and I have been having periods two times a month and it doesn't just last for a few days it's going for two weeks right now I'm on it and it has been two weeks since I have been on it about to be three weeks I'm scared because my friend said she heard that the birth control that I am on is giving people tumors???I'm going to see my obgyn on Monday I just wanted to see if I could get any answers plz and thank you
January 16, 2016 - 12:33pmThis Comment
Hello Anonymous,
Today is Monday and you should be having or had your doctor's appointment by the time you read this. What did the doctor say?
Maryann
January 18, 2016 - 9:49amThis Comment