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
Hello. I had a period on April 30th which lasted until May 5th . I just got it again on May 23rd, is this normal or should I be concerned?
Hello. It is not normal to have two periods in a month. You need to consult your doctor to determine the cause.
Hi, I saw my period on 6th may and it came again on 18th may. I gave birth 7 months ago and I started seeing my period a month after my delivery. Is it normal. Though it’s not heavy
I had my period on the 4th of May and this morning I woke up on my periods again (15 May). What could be the reason? I’m also on contraceptives so I don’t think I could be pregnant. I’m really worried.
Abnormal vaginal bleeding is possible while you’re on the pill. If you have been taking your pills properly and you haven’t missed any days then you should not be worried.
I have had two full onset periods last month in April, including PMS the week prior and a full 5 day period for each period.. There were 4 days in between where I felt normal then went into another hormonal rage..then the period again. I went thru 2.5 boxes of tampons…this can’t be normal? Any ideas?
Having two periods in a month may be an indication that something is wrong. It could be related to your hormones os just stress. Check with your doctor to determine the cause.
I have had a period the sixth of April and lasted for a week it had stopped for three days and had another period for two days and stopped. Which one do I use for the beginning of my menstrual cycle? To calculate ovalation? Today is the 7th of may and no period yet..
Hello Ashlee, Please consider your beginning date i.e. 6th of April as the beginning of menstrual cycle for calculating ovulation. Irregular period could be caused by a lot of issues: Stress, lack of proper diet, excessive exercise, hormones etc. If you do not get your period soon, you can consult a doctor.
Hello, I went on my period on 24 April and then on May 7. Is it normal? Or what is that?
No, this is not normal. You need to consult a doctor to determine the cause.
Hello I went on my periods on the 31st of march and then I got my periods again on the 23rd of april which is not more than twenty six to twenty eight days ,is there any possibility that I might be pregnant. Or what?
Your chances of being pregnant depend on whether you were fertile on or around the date that you had sex. Can you confirm the number of days in your menstrual cycle? This information is needed to provide you with the most accurate response.
I went on my periods after 29 days which was on the 31st of March and they stopped after four days which was on the 4th of April. And on the 23rd of that same month, which was in April, I had my periods again. So is there a possibility that I can be pregnant?
I skipped, February and the I got it March 3rd and it lasted until match 7th then got my period again on the 31st of march, It lasted until the 4th of April.. then I got it again this morning on may 1st.. why am I having 2 periods in a month..
You likely have a hormone imbalance. Some women will have periods as close as 22 days apart, some will have them as many as 45 days apart. It should always be steady and even. When it is not, that means the hormones are not balanced properly. Get your vitamin levels checked and supplement accordingly. The best vitamins for hormonal imbalances are Bs, Omegas, and minerals like magnesium. Maca root is a great alternative to help balance them.
Hello, my menstrual cycles have always been normal until now i had my cycle the 3rd of April witch lasted 5 days and again the 21st of April witch lasted 3 days this is the first time this has happen to me. also me and my boyfriend have been ttc so is this going to mess up my ovulation days and is it normal or should i be worried?
I had a period on the 2nd of March & then another one on the 29th of March. Is this normal should I be worried?
No, you don’t need to be. It seems you have a 27 days cycle (there are 27 days between March 2 and 29). Your next period is due on April 25.
Thank you for your response. Yes, it was my period on Feb 28th. I’m a normal 32 days. I begin my new cycle on April 1st which was yesterday. It was driving me crazy the not knowing. My husband is a bit disappointed that Aunt flow showed up but at least we know where to start so we can try for a new addition.
I had a period from February 26 to March 3rd then from March 12th to the 17th. What’s going on?
Hello everyone. I had my period from 28 Feb – 2 March (4 days). Now in March, I didn’t have another period…Is it OK or I’m pregnant?
Hello, my menstrual cycles have always been normal always starting on the 6th of each month. Well in February I got a period on the 6th lasting 5 days. Then following that I got another period on February 28th that lasted 3 days. During that time frame, I have been having unprotected sex with my husband. Here it is March 28th and no period. My cycle has been regular up till now. Could I be pregnant? I don’t know whether to calculate from the normal 6th of Feb or the 28th of Feb.
Hi Bonita, are you sure that on 28th you got your period? Sometimes bleeding might be for other reasons as well. Have you felt any kind of unusual symptoms? If you have not got your period by now, I would suggest a pregnancy test.
I’m mary i had my period 3/7/16 , and now the 3/26/16 I see it again what could be happening
Hi, I had my period on the 6th of March and it lasted for 4 days. I’m bleeding again on the 22nd of March. Can you help me? Could I be pregnant?