Ever had an early period? One that starts up much sooner than your period usually occurs? This can be a little worrying. If it's happened to you more than once, it can start to be scary. But in many cases, there is nothing to fear.
There really is no such thing as a typical menstrual period that is the same for all women, though plenty of us have wished things were different. Unpredictable periods bring a type of uncertainty most of us would rather live without.
Menstruation is the shedding of the uterine lining which happens, on average, every 28 days. Individual women may have a cycle range somewhere between 21 and 35 days, and still fall within what are considered normal parameters. For teenage girls, the cycle range that is considered normal is between 21 and 45 days.
Your period is part of the process your reproductive system goes through every month (more or less). It prepares for the possibility of conception. If conception does not occur the thickened lining of the uterus and extra blood are eliminated.
One of the variations women can deal with is having periods that are less than 21 days long. Here are some possible causes for such short menstrual cycles:
1) Adolescence
Teenage girls frequently experience irregular periods because their cycles haven't yet achieved stable hormone balance. Time and patience are often all that are needed.
2) Certain Types of Contraceptives
Spotting between periods can be caused by contraceptive pills or intrauterine systems.
3) Contraceptive Changes
Changes in contraception can also cause early or too frequent periods. Birth control pills, for instance, can alter hormone balance which can affect occurrence of periods.
4) Other Gynecological Conditions
Gynecological issues involving the ovaries, the uterus, or both can lead to frequent periods. Early miscarriage or unknown pregnancy may also be factors.
5) Polymenorrhea
According to an article on About.com, if this if your regular cycle range, you may be experiencing something called polymenorrhea, which is an abnormal type of uterine bleeding that will happen less than 21 days after your last period ended.
An article on Health.am says that polymenorrhea affects teenage girls frequently because their cycles haven't yet achieved stable hormone balance. It will commonly correct itself over time.
If, however, the condition continues, or if there is significant blood loss or other worrying symptoms, Health.am recommends seeking treatment.
6) Thyroid Conditions
Some women with thyroid disorders may have shorter, more frequent periods. That's because your thyroid manufactures hormones that regulate your metabolism. This can be checked for through blood tests that measure your thyroid hormone levels.
Sources:
Reasons for a Two-Week-Early Period. empowHER.com. Retrieved Sept. 8, 2015.
https://www.empowher.com/sexual-health/content/reasons-two-week-early-pe...
Menstruation and the menstrual cycle fact sheet. Womenshealth.gov. Retrieved Sept. 8, 2015.
http://www.womenshealth.gov/publications/our-publications/fact-sheet/men...
Causes of Irregular Periods, NHS Choices. NHS.UK. Retrieved Sept. 8, 2015.
http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Periods-irregular/Pages/Causes.aspx
What is Polymenorrhea? About.com. Retrieved Sept. 8, 2015.
http://pms.about.com/od/glossary/g/polymenorrhea.htm
Polymenorrhea. Health.am. Retrieved Sept. 8, 2015.
http://www.health.am/gyneco/more/polymenorrhea
Vaginal Bleeding. Medicinenet.com. Retrieved Sept. 8, 2015.
http://www.medicinenet.com/vaginal_bleeding/page3.htm
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Reviewed September 8, 2015
by Michele Blacksberg RN