Every month, a woman has a menstrual cycle as the body goes through changes in preparation for the likelihood of pregnancy. An egg is released from an ovary each month during ovulation and hormonal changes will get the uterus ready at the same time for pregnancy.
The uterus lining will shed through the vagina if ovulation occurs and the egg is not fertilized. This is the menstrual period. Are two menstrual cycles in one month possible? Read on below if you want to know the answer to this question.
First of all, menstrual bleeding will most commonly occur two times in a calendar month when a normal period starts on the first or second day in the month and another occurs at the very end.
This happens because the length of the normal cycle ranges from twenty-three to thirty-five days, thus allowing two periods to occur in the same month, which is perfectly normal.
However, most women are not referring to this occurrence when they are talking about having their periods twice in a month. In most cases, women are referring to when they are menstruating every two weeks or more, which is less than the twenty-three day interval that falls in the normal range.
When the uterine lining thickens abnormally, this can also cause the period to come twice in a month. This thickening could result from hormonal imbalance or from using estrogen medication without one with progesterone.
High levels of Estrogen will cause the uterine lining to burgeon and become lush and thick, whilst the low levels of progesterone will cause shedding of the inner layer. There must be a balance between the two hormones to ensure moderate and regular periods.
If anything disrupts the hormonal cycle which leads to ovulation and menstruation this can lead to periods coming too often or missed periods. Frequent periods which are caused by hormonal imbalance often affect women who are close to menopause.
Fibroids or polyps can cause irregular menstrual periods as well. In this situation, the projection of the tissue which protrudes from the uterine lining is less stable, so it is more likely to shed at the wrong time.
In addition, polyps and fibroids on the surface of the uterine lining will often result in heavier and prolonged bleeding.
You should consult a gynecologist or your personal doctor if you are seeing monthly periods less than twenty-three days apart. The medical professional might do a blood test to examine your hormone levels, an ultrasound scan to rule out polyps or fibroids, or a biopsy to determine if your uterine lining is thickening abnormally.
In most cases, frequent bleeding is a minor condition, but the problem could be more serious at times and excess bleeding could cause anemia. It is always a good idea to investigate periods which are occurring too often.
Image: Bigstock
References
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1. https://www.aafp.org/afp/1999/1001/p1381.html
2. https://www.healthline.com/health/womens-health/two-periods-in-one-month#causes
Hi, I started my period 4-9th Dec with normal flow and since then I’ve been having a little flow darker in colour and minor cramps too still today 15th Dec I don’t have sex for a long time now is there any cause for alarm.
Hello Phebby, if this persists longer please see your doctor.
Hi, am Damz, I had my periods on 4th October, then on the 13/11, it did not come on 31st October as expected, then I’ve had my period on 11/12, what could be the cause?
Hello Kukiriza, you seem to be having irregular periods. Please see the link below to read more about this: https://womanjunction.com/irregular-menstrual-cycle-occurs/
Hello,
I usually have on average a 35 day cycle. But occasionally it’s longer. Recently I had a long cycle from September 27 to November 10. It lasted the normal six days to November 15, but suddenly I had my period again less than 2 weeks later, November 28. I still have it now as of December 2. Should I be concerned? I’m 19 btw and I’ve had my period since I was 11.
Hi there Cece, you seem to be experiencing a bit of irregularity in your cycle. This happens at times with women.
Hi my name is Rachel. I usually start my period between the 22-28th of each month but this month (November) i started on the 16th and last pretty heavyish-normal for me and lasted about 7days. Been having some odd cramping since and today (Nov. 29th same month) ive started but very pink and light.. not like my normal spotting. What could possibly be my problem or is there even one?
Hello Rachel, this seems to be an irregular period, nothing to be alarmed about unless the cramping becomes unbearable and more abnormal symptoms are experienced.
Hi my name is Jamia I am 26.and had my tubes tied 5 years ago. Recently I started my cycle on 11/23 and am still slightly bleeding today. My cycles normally last 5 days at the.most. My bf and myself have been extremely tired and I have an increased appetite and slight back pain should I be concerned?,
Hello Jamia, if you suspect that you might be pregnant, please take a pregnancy test 7 days after a missed period.
i had a period on 20th of October 2017 and had sex on 29th to 5th of Nov. On 13th of Nov, i noticed pinkish or very light red color each time i urinate and use tissue to clean up which stopped on the 16th. After 16 days from the first day of spotting, i am experiencing cramps with blood like period coming out. what could this mean
Hello Lily, please take a pregnancy test 7 days after a missed period.
Started my menstruation on the 4th of November and ended 6th,but am still surprised to see it on the 10th of same November but this time it’s just thick and dark not flowing well, but dried, please help.
Hi there Gospel, if it ended on the 6th what returned on the 10th might not have been a period. Click to read: https://womanjunction.com/spotting-between-periods/
I’m 28 years old. I’m having periods every 17 to 18 days. I’m having this cycle since my very first menstruation. I have undergone an ultrasound test of my pelvic region everything is normal…now trying to conceive. Can I conceive?
Hello Zoya, please consult with a gynecologist re the best advice on this as your cycle seems a bit shorter than normal.
Hi I’m Nya my period came on October 12 and went off in 7 days then it came back on October 27 and it is still on, on the 7th day bleeding heavy can u help explain what’s going on
Hello Daynya, please see link below: https://womanjunction.com/reasons-heavy-menstrual-bleeding/
Hi my name is Diane and I had my tubes tied 3years ago and I have never had a irregular period I had a period on October 11th Then again on the 31st of October should I be worried about being pregnant I have light bleeding and also back of the neck pain for atleast 2 weeks now and abdominal pain
Hello Diane, it is highly unlikely that you might be pregnant or that these symptoms are in any way related.
hi,my name is tee, I just came on my cycle on the first of October,now it’s the 29th of October and I’m on my cycle again. Could you tell me if I should be concerned?
Hi there Tee, this does not spark much for concern.
Hello am Miriam, my menses came twice in September on the 4th and on 27th, my menses last for 5- 6 days. It hasn’t come this month( october) yet could there be any problem?? But I have being having little abdominal pain.
Hi there Miriam, if you are not pregnant then you might be experience an irregularity, see link below: https://womanjunction.com/irregular-menstrual-cycle-occurs/
Hi my name is Millicent. This month October I have had my periods twice intervals of 17 days what could be my problem.This is the first time happening.I have been off the pills 10 months now and I have not been able to conceive.
Hi there Susan, please see your doctor for a thorough assessment re both issues.
I recently got back on birth control in September to regulate my cycle so i can have a baby. My cycle came back on this month October 3-7 when i found out i was going to be fertile the weekend i stopped taking the birth control pills. So Sunday night while i was at work i went to the bathroom and there was this brownish blood when i wiped. Later on that night i got really bad cramps only on my left side and my back was hurting really bad got out the bed and went to the bathroom and a gush of blood comes out. This is the second time this month for my cycle to come on can i still have children.
Hi there Rodrieka, it’s best if you completely stay off the BC if you are trying for pregnancy.
I got my period on August 26th . Didn’t have my period in September and still haven’t got it . I took 2 pregnancy test , that came out negative . Could there be something wrong ?
Hi there Sabrina, you seem to be having some irregularity. See link below to read more on this: https://womanjunction.com/irregular-menstrual-cycle-occurs/
Hi my name is Teana I started my menstrual sep 28 until Oct 1 had unprotected sex with my boyfriend Oct 3 got my period again Oct 11 it’s going off as we speak never had my period twice in 1 month before still have minor cramping and really really drained .. help
Hi there Teana, please read link below re irregularity: https://womanjunction.com/irregular-menstrual-cycle-occurs/