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
Hello.. ^^
I can go by the name of Claudia.
I just want insights about my current situation.
I didn't have my period for the whole Month of May. It started on the first week of June and I was wondering why I keep bleeding over 14 days. After the second week, my bleeding reduced to small droplets in my pad which then lead to alternate days of having drops of blood in my pad or no drops at all.
I don't have a right ovary anymore. It was removed when I was 10 (Right now, I am 19 years old), because of ovariancyst. I'm going to see my doctor soon, but I just want to know about factors that could be affected. Does this mean, something's up with the ovary I have left? Would I still be able to get pregnant?
June 24, 2017 - 9:02pmThis Comment
Hello Claudia,
The menstrual cycle is regulated by a precise balance of hormones, Your case is unique because you have only one ovary.
These are all good questions that can be answered by your physician during your upcoming appointment..Keep us updated.
Regards,
June 26, 2017 - 11:28amMaryann
This Comment
Hey, 21 here with irregular periods (too early) for the last 3-4 months and deep pain to the left side when having intercourse. I don't take birth control. I'm just wondering if I should see a doctor.
June 10, 2017 - 2:45pmThis Comment
Hello Anonymous,
It would be a very good idea to schedule an appointment with a gynecologist.
Maryann
June 13, 2017 - 10:02amThis Comment
I would like to ask if anyone has ever experienced what am experiencing now.i had 3 periods in the month of May just wondering what it could be.should I be worried.im trying to conceive.i have stopped using depo injection last year june
June 4, 2017 - 9:48amThis Comment
Hello Anonymous,
Three periods in one month is very abnormal and is putting you at risk for iron deficiency anemia. Please call your gynecologist today.
Regards,
June 5, 2017 - 9:44amMaryann
This Comment
I'm 24 years old.On April I had my periods on the 03rd, and have been having unprotected sex, this month May, my periods came late around the 13th, n i did do pregnancy test and it was negative. I start having extremely periods again and it's the second time in a month it started on the 26th. What could be the problem
May 28, 2017 - 12:42pmThis Comment
Hello Anonymous,
Consider calling to schedule an appointment with your gynecologist.
Keep us update,
May 29, 2017 - 9:41amMaryann
This Comment
Hi i am ran 21 and i am worried because i have a normal period before but now this april my period became twice a month or every two weeks but the one week of that two period is just a spot please help me i am worried.
May 21, 2017 - 6:16amThis Comment
Hi, I m 23 years old with a 0 % chance of pregnancy. From june 2016 ,I m facing irregular periods. after june i got my periods in the first week of october 2016, in between periods i had a fever for which i took antibiotics and in novembr i travelled more than a routine,after that I had my periods in Feb 2017 .From feb I m having heavy periods of about 14 to 15 days . just after 10 to 12 days periods start again which lasts for that long again.. In between periods , i m having dark brown spotting.
May 9, 2017 - 6:19amI went to the Doctor in April .And she said its because of increased weight. but i haven't noticed any big change in weight .
My height is 5.1 and weight about 70 kg.
Should I go to another doctor or should just rely on loosing weight.??
This Comment