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This content does not have an English version. This content does not have an Arabic version. See more conditions. Healthy Lifestyle Women's health. Products and services. Menstrual cycle: What's normal, what's not Your menstrual cycle can say a lot about your health. By Mayo Clinic Staff. Thank you for Subscribing Our Housecall e-newsletter will keep you up-to-date on the latest health information. Please try again. Something went wrong on our side, please try again.
And a girl may notice that her cycles are different lengths each month — especially for the few years after she first starts getting her period.
Early in a girl's cycle, her ovaries start preparing one egg. At the same time, the lining of the uterus becomes thick to prepare a nesting place for a fertilized egg in the event that the girl becomes pregnant.
About 2 weeks before a girl gets her period, the egg is released from the ovary this is called ovulation. The egg travels through the fallopian tube into the uterus. If the egg isn't fertilized by sperm, it starts to fall apart. Then the lining and egg leave a girl's body as her period and the whole thing starts all over again — that's why we use the word "cycle. A girl's body may not follow an exact schedule. It's common, especially in the first 2 years after a girl starts getting her period, to skip periods or to have irregular periods.
Illness, rapid weight change, or stress can also make things more unpredictable. That's because the part of the brain that regulates periods is influenced by events like these.
Going on a trip or having a major change in schedule can also make your period come at a different time than expected. All of this is perfectly normal. It's also normal for the number of days a girl has her period to vary. Sometimes a girl may bleed for 2 days, sometimes it may last a week. That's because the level of hormones the body makes can be different from one cycle to the next, and this affects the amount and length of bleeding.
If your cycle is not regular, you'll want to pay attention to the clues your body may give you that your period is coming soon. These may include:. Maintaining a healthful lifestyle can help reduce the risk of some of the causes of irregular periods. Some herbal remedies, such as black cohosh, chasteberry, licorice root, and turmeric are all said to help , but research has not confirmed their effectiveness, and they may have adverse effects. It is better to speak to a doctor first.
Puberty and menopause : Irregular periods that occur during puberty or as the woman approaches menopause do not usually need treatment. Birth control : If irregular bleeding is due to contraception, and it continues for several months, the woman should talk to a health care professional about other options.
A lower weight means the body does not need to produce so much insulin. This leads to lower testosterone levels and a better chance of ovulating. Thyroid problems : Treatment for the underlying problem is likely to be prescribed. This may include medication, radioactive iodine therapy or surgery.
Stress and eating disorders : Psychological therapy may help if emotional stress, an eating disorder, or sudden weight loss have triggered irregular periods. This may include relaxation techniques, stress management, and talking to a therapist. The doctor may prescribe metformin, an insulin-lowering oral drug for type 2 diabetes , which can help ensure ovulation and regular periods.
A low-dose birth control pill that containing a combination of estrogen and progesterone may help. This will decrease androgen production and will help to correct abnormal bleeding. Alternatively, taking progesterone for 10 to 14 days each month is likely to regulate the periods.
Irregular periods can indicate a problem with fertility, but this is not always so. Ovulation can occur, even while menstruation is irregular. Here are some things you can do to track ovulation :.
If irregular periods are linked to fertility problems, these records will help a doctor reach a diagnosis. Many people experience symptoms, such as cramps, acne, or tender breasts, when a period is on its way. Learn the signs a period is coming. When a period comes early, it is often no cause for concern. Learn about some potential causes of an early period and when to see a doctor. Some menstrual problems, such as painful, heavy, or absent periods, are common, but treatments and self-care techniques can help.
Learn more here. DivaCups are environmentally sustainable, reusable menstrual products. Learn about how to use them and how they compare with other menstrual products. What you need to know about irregular periods.
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