Every woman out there can surely understand the pain and discomfort that is caused due to menstruation every month. From feeling bloated to abdominal cramps and from frequent mood swings to feeling nauseous, we have experienced it all. Where getting periods and going through all this once in a month causes such a great discomfort imagine what it would be like to experience it twice a month. To all of you wondering, well yes there are women out there who go through all of this discomfort twice a month. Caused due to shorter cycles, this condition can lead into further complications if not treated on time. From causes to treatment and everything in between, here’s all you need to know about two periods and shorter cycles in a month with Dr. Akanksha Tripathi, Consultant, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Paras JK Hospital, Udaipur.
Causes of Shorter Cycles
Where the average menstrual cycle of an adult woman is 28 days, the length of this cycle can vary from 24 to 38 days from one individual to the other. When a woman’s menstrual cycle is shorter than this, it might result in the occurrence of two periods in a month. Where it is quite normal to experience shorter cycles once in a while but it becomes a matter of concern when it becomes a repetitive habit. Let us take a step ahead and learn about the causes of these shorter cycles with Dr. Akanksha Tripathi. “Some women may have shorter cycles due to hormonal imbalances which is very common among pre-menopausal and adolescent due to an ovulatory cycle leading to shorter periods. A cycle between 25-30 days is considered normal, anything between this or cycle shorter than 22 days is called a shorter cycle.
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Also Read: Everything You Need To Know About Periods And Acne Flare From A Gynecologist
Mid cycle spotting could be because of ovulation. Any intermenstrual bleeding can be due to various Benial and malignant gynecological disorders For eg : Endometrial or endo-cervical polyp, fibroid, cervical cancer etc. Hormones like thyroid and prolactin can also regulate the menstrual cycle and they need to be investigated and managed too.”
Some of the other cause of these shorter cycles can be-
1# Perimenopause
While we all are aware of what menopause is and what all changes it brings to a woman's body, a period of perimenopause is something that we need to know about. Perimenopause is referred to as the stage which leads a woman towards the menopause when the hormonal changes start taking place. This stage of perimenopause can last upto 10 years and is a time when women experience irregular cycles due to fluctuation in hormonal levels. This irregularity is not just confined to shorter cycles but can also be responsible for the occurrence of skipping periods, heavy bleeding, longer cycles and very light bleeding as well.
2# Young Age
When it comes to irregularity in the menstrual cycle, a person’s age has an important role to play in it. Irregular periods or menstrual cycles are very common in women of young age as they have just started getting their periods. As during puberty the hormonal levels in the body tend to fluctuate a lot and hence young women might sometimes have shorter and sometimes might have longer menstrual cycles due to this fluctuation in hormonal levels.
3# Thyroid
As thyroid is a hormone that regulates the menstrual cycle, the occurrence of conditions such as hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism or some other issues related to the thyroid gland. Thyroid gland is a small butterfly shaped gland that is present in front of the throat. This gland is responsible for controlling various functions such as metabolism and body temperature.
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Also Read: Can Walnuts Help In Managing Thyroid? Find Out Here
The overactivity or underactivity of these thyroid glands results in conditions such as hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism which affects the menstrual cycle. As a result of these thyroid conditions a woman can experience irregular and shorter menstrual cycles.
4# Endometriosis
Where there is not just one but many reasons that can result in the occurrence of shorter cycles, endometriosis is in such a condition responsible for these shorter cycles. In endometriosis a tissue similar to the uterine tissue grows in various areas of the body. This condition leads to irregular bleeding, abdominal cramps, heavy bleeding and abdominal pain
Other than this there are several other causes that can result into the occurrence of two periods in a month caused due to the shorter cycles such as-
- Uterine Fibroids
- Birth control
- Weight loss
- Lack of ovulation
- Cyst
- Weight gain
- Stress
- Illness
Treatment
In the world where medical science has made so many advancements and has found a cure for every other condition, short menstrual cycles are no exception. A timely diagnosis and proper treatment can help a woman in solving this issue of two periods in a month and treating the condition of shorter cycles. Where the treatment option used depends upon a patient’s medical history and conditions, it might differ for every individual in every case. Here’s what Dr. Akanksha Tripathi has to say about this- “To treat the shorter cycle we will require a local examination which includes a perseculum examination, a pelvic ultrasound and other routine investigations as advised by the gynecologist.
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Any irregularity if ignored can delay the diagnosis and further management. If the underlined pathology is missed and not timely treated can lead to further complications as mentioned previously. A frequent blood loss due to shorter cycles can also lead to anemia.
If a woman faces/ has a menstrual cycle less than 22 days or more than 35 days or inter-menstrual bleeding and spotting they must consult their local gynecologist for further management.”
Where the occurrence of two periods in a month caused due to short cycles can be normal once in a while but can lead to various complications if it becomes a repetitive pattern. If you are someone who has been experiencing this issue of short cycles for a long time, it would be better not to ignore this issue and see your doctor as soon as possible. A timely diagnosis and proper treatment can help a person to avoid any further complications.
With inputs from Dr. Akanksha Tripathi, Consultant, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Paras JK Hospital, Udaipur.