A normal monthly menstruation usually occurs on 1st to 7th day in a 28 day cycle, yet not everyone receives a regular period every month. Many women are often surprised with an early period that can sometimes cause confusion.
Periods that arrive early or late may be due to hormonal imbalances, and should be checked out if this occurs on a regular basis.
While irregular periods are certainly inconvenient, they are fairly common among women and can be caused by a variety of conditions that affect normal bodily cycles of menstruation and ovulation.
Early menstrual periods can be the result of anything from lifestyle choices to hormonal imbalances. They may also be the result of a gynecologic health issue that needs to be addressed.
Here are some of the main reasons for getting your period earlier than anticipated:
1. Hormonal Imbalance
A shift in the balance of hormones is often the culprit of early period cycles. Using oral contraceptive such as birth control pills can cause the menstruation cycle to begin at an earlier time than usual, especially if you skip a pill or two, since the hormones produced by the body become disrupted by the artificial hormones in the pill.
Birth control pills are supposed to be taken on a daily basis at the same time each day. This allows your hormones to stay in a steady state and allow your periods to come on a regular basis.
If you skip a few pills or take your doses at varying times throughout the day, then you may have irregular periods. You may also experience effects of abnormal bleeding after you stop taking the pill.
Other forms of contraceptives, such as IUDs, can also cause an imbalance of hormones that can affect your period and change your ovulation cycle.
IUDs come in hormonal and non-hormonal forms. If you decide on an IUD that does release hormones, then you may initially have irregular periods until your body adjusts to the IUD.
Hormonal disorders, which can result from diseases such as endometriosis, can also be a reason for period irregularity and should be checked.
Signs and symptoms of endometriosis include nausea, vomiting with painful periods (dysmenorrhea), pain during bowel movements (dyschezia) or urination, excessive menstrual bleeding, rectal bleeding, pain during intercourse (dyspareunia) [1].
2. Psychological effects
Stress is a common factor in the case of irregular periods, and dealing with psychological anxieties can have an effect on the body’s normal functioning.
Dealing with extra stress and anxiety can trigger chemical/hormonal responses and disrupt the normal body systems that regulate ovulation and menstruation.
Cortisol, the stress hormone, can decrease the production of estrogen and progesterone in the body resulting in abnormal ovulation, anovulation, or amenorrhea [2].
If you are feeling stressed out, then your body will produce more cortisol, which can disrupt your hormonal balance.
While stress and anxiety often cause late periods as well, it can disrupt the hypothalamus-pituitary axis (HPA) to make your period come earlier than expected.
With added stress, you may experience early or late periods, or a mixture of both if the stressor continues for months at a time.
3. Gynecologic conditions
Some gynecologic conditions can cause early menstruation, as well as bleeding in between periods.
Polycystic ovarian syndrome is a condition in which multiple cysts develop in ovaries leading to hormonal imbalance (higher levels of androgens and luteinizing hormone than FSH) in the body. Because of this reason, the follicles fail to mature causing anovulatory cycle and consequently irregular bleeding [3].
Endometriosis can also cause early periods as well as very painful menstrual bleeding.
4. Implantation bleeding
Sometimes, what you may think is your period coming early may not be your period at all. Many people mistake implantation bleeding for their period, and so the abnormal bleeding you are experiencing could be a sign of early pregnancy if you are sexually active.
Implantation bleeding happens when an embryo is implanted into the uterine cavity, causing some abnormal bleeding before your actual period begins.
If you are trying to get pregnant, or have had unprotected sex, then this spotting could point to pregnancy and not be an actual period.
5. Lifestyle choices
Factors related to your life, including diet and exercise, can have a great effect on the regularity of your period.
Excessive and strenuous exercise can disrupt your body’s menstrual system and result in an earlier period, or cause you to lose your period all together.
What you eat also has an effect on whether your period comes early or late, and how bad it is. Excessive weight gain and loss cause fluctuating hormone levels that can result in an early period.
Excessive weight gain can cause hormone levels to rise since adipocytes, or fat cells, can contribute to estrogen excess. If you have gained excessive weight very quickly, then you may experience period irregularities.
6. Menopause and puberty
Going through menopause causes the hormone levels to fluctuate within the body, which can result in irregular period cycles that can start as early as 10 years before menopause actually begins.
Since menopause results in the ceasing of the ovulation cycle in a woman, as a woman approaches menopausal age, their period may become more sporadic.
On the other hand, it is normal for teens to experience irregular periods as their body adjust to rise in female hormones after menarche, and so early periods are quite common during this time.
In order to better regulate your menstrual period, you can change up your lifestyle routine to get your cycle back on track.
Eating a healthy, balanced diet and avoiding any dramatic weight changes can regulate your hormone levels and regulate your period.
Image: Pixabay
References
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1. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/endometriosis/symptoms-causes/syc-20354656
2. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0167876017302696
3. https://www.verywellhealth.com/why-do-women-with-pcos-have-irregular-periods-2616650
Hello,
My period came earlier, cycle was 26 days for the past two months unlike early which was 28 days.
Phiona 26
Hello Phiona, this is not much cause for concern, see link below:
https://womanjunction.com/irregular-menstrual-cycle-occurs/
Hello
I have uterine fibroids which I want to manage since I don’t have children yet. I’m thinking of having them removed surgerically after having children. The only and time I had sex this year was in April, I had a pregnancy test shortly after and it was negative and my menstrual cycle has been stable, although I noticed that my breasts have become very tender lately. Just a few minutes ago, I noticed some blood on my panties, and today is the 24th day of my cycle. Although I’ve been under some kind of physical stress lately. This is my first time of experiencing this. What could cause it?
Hi there Tee01, it is hard to determine what might have caused this. Stress is a possibility. See your doctor for thorough examination if this persists.
My period in June was on the 2nd and again it started on 24th June and in July, not yet started my age is 44 years what should I do?
Hi there Manisha, please see the following link: https://womanjunction.com/irregular-menstrual-cycle-occurs/
Hi, my cycle came 5 days earlier than the normal date and I had pcos which was treated after that my cycles were regular now it is regular but it came early than the usual time so what could be the cause?
Hi there Tia, early periods can be caused by quite a number of things including change in diet, stress, hormonal fluctuations.
Hi last year may l had a miscarriage,since then I’ve been trying for a baby but nothing what’s the cause I’m not on pill
Hello Patience, there could be many reasons for this, see the following link: https://womanjunction.com/how-to-get-pregnant-guide/
My period usually comes after 32 days but this month it comes around 29 days is it normal?
Hi there Zainab, irregular periods happen for many reasons, see link: https://womanjunction.com/irregular-menstrual-cycle-occurs/
Hi I’m Max. My gf already got her period on 26th june and ended on 2 July . But why is she getting period on 7 July again ? This earlier than she is supposed to. We never had sex within 2 July until this 7 July .Why is that possibly happening ?Does this happen in certain women ?
Hello there Max, you and your girlfriend should read the below link, all the best:
https://womanjunction.com/irregular-menstrual-cycle-occurs/
Comment Text*I had unprotected sex with my boyfriend and some weeks later I had my period which was unusual since I was suppose to have my period two weeks later,but during my period,on the second day to be precise I went out with my boyfriend and I drank a lot,then later in the morning my period seized.I don’t understand can someone please explain this to me
Hi there Kelly, this might not have been your period, please read the article from the following link:https://womanjunction.com/irregular-menstrual-cycle-occurs/
I have the standard cycle. 28 days, period lasting 5 days. Has been like this since I was 12 (first got my period about 2-3 months after my 11th birthday). I’m in my late teens, and I’ve never had sex. School just ended, I got the grades I was hoping for, I finally got my license today. Came home and my abdomen hurt like hell. I laughed it off and joked that my stomach must not know I passed the test. I felt a burning/stinging sensation around my urethra, which happens sometimes. Sat down on the toilet and blood started rushing out. Suddenly my cramps got worse, bad enough that I started crying (this isn’t uncommon for me). In essence, everything that usually happens happened, just a week early. Why?
Hi Sam, this does happen. Possibly because you have been experiencing stress for the past week with the pressure of doing well for your driver’s license etc. Please see your doctor however to check for the presence of a Urinary Tract Infection.
I had protected sex with my boyfriend 4 days ago but now I’m bleeding like a period but my period isn’t due until next week (according to the app I have) I’m really scared cause if it’s a period I’m not having the usual symptoms such as sore breasts and I’ve no pain down there ? Can someone help please!!
Hi there Ciara, a period can come early as a result of bodily changes such as stress, etc. However observe how this progresses and see your doctor if any abnormality persists.
Please …I saw my period on the 2nd down to 6th of march and now am see it again at 25th of march.. Is it normal? I am on ant-biotics.
Hello there Nuratu sa’eed, the consumption of anti-biotics might be the culprit for this as it often times alters a woman’s cycle.
I am having periods 10 days early for 5 months. What should I do?
Hello there Mantasha, please see your doctor for a more thorough assessment of your condition however read the following link: https://womanjunction.com/irregular-menstrual-cycle-occurs/
I used to get my period every 28 days, for over a year now it’s coming earlier now, either 24 to 20 days, I’ll be 50 soon, I thought it would spread out not come earlier.
Hi there Wve, at your age if you recognize any abnormalities please see your doctor ASAP. This could mean anything, all the best.
Does this mean it goes for a shorter amount of time
it means it comes earlier than expected
I got medical abortion in September. after 2 months I started using birth control pills. this December I had my period 11 days earlier. so what can I do?
Hi Piyanka Das, your body has been through a lot in a short time, just be patient your body will normalize in a few months. If not go see your doctor.
I am having my period irregular, please assist me.
please read this post for some suggestions