Table of contents:
- The cause of menstruation twice a month
- 1. The cycle changes occasionally
- 2. Hormonal changes
- 3. Using hormonal contraceptives
- 4. Endometriosis
- 5. Thyroid problems
- When to see a doctor
Ideally, women menstruate only once a month. However, many also experience it more than once in a period of one month. It turns out that according to Lakeisha Richardson, M.D., an obstetrician in the United States, this is not always abnormal. So what causes menstruation twice a month?
The cause of menstruation twice a month
Here are various factors that cause someone to have menstruation twice a month:
1. The cycle changes occasionally
Dr. Lakeisha states that a woman's average menstrual cycle ranges from 21 to 35 days and lasts 2 to 7 days. Sometimes, a person has a shorter menstrual cycle which makes him experience two periods a month.
Therefore, having your period twice a month does not always indicate a problem. After that, it could be that the cycle returns to normal as before.
These occasional changes are usually nothing to worry about. However, if it continues to recur, you need to check with a doctor to find out the exact cause.
2. Hormonal changes
Hormones greatly affect a person's menstrual cycle. In young women at the age of puberty, for example, hormonal changes are still prone to fluctuating so that the menstrual cycle is often irregular. Sometimes it is shorter or longer than usual. It is not surprising that many girls have menstruation twice a month.
Research published in the American Journal of Epidemiology says it takes about 6 years to have a regular cycle starting from the first menstruation.
Apart from hormones during puberty, the imbalance that occurs when stressed and towards menopause can also cause irregular menstruation.
3. Using hormonal contraceptives
If you have recently used hormonal contraceptives such as birth control pills or the IUD, it is very common for women to have their period twice a month.
The reason is, this condition makes a person experience decreased hormone levels. Usually the condition occurs about two weeks after the last period and will be more regular in the next six months.
In addition, bleeding also usually appears when you forget to take birth control pills on the schedule you should. If you experience prolonged bleeding, the doctor will usually give you medicine to help control it.
The doctor will also check your condition to determine that there is no infection or other health problem causing it.
4. Endometriosis
Endometriosis is a condition when the tissue that is supposed to line the uterus grows on the outside.
As a result, this condition makes a person experience irregular menstruation, abnormal cramps, excruciating abdominal pain, and heavy and prolonged bleeding.
If you experience these symptoms, consult a doctor for further tests.
5. Thyroid problems
The thyroid is a small, butterfly-shaped gland at the front of the throat whose job is to control hormonal functions in the body. These glands are regulated by hormones that are produced and regulated in areas of the brain that control menstruation and ovulation.
Irregular menstrual cycles, including having it twice a month, could be a sign that there is a problem with your thyroid gland. It could be that you have an underactive or overactive thyroid.
When to see a doctor
If you have two periods a month for 2 to 3 months in a row, consult a doctor immediately. In addition, you also need to be consulted immediately if you bleed a large blood clot that takes up one or more pads in an hour.
In addition, do not delay to check with a doctor if:
- Feeling weak
- Pain or experience bleeding during sex
- Pelvic pain
- Hard to breathe
- Drastic weight gain or loss for no apparent reason
When you have your period twice a month accompanied by these symptoms, there may be an underlying health problem. For that, immediately take the time to consult a doctor.
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