What It May Mean If You Get Two Periods In One Month

For many, a monthly period brings with it painful cramps, unpredictable mood swings, and annoying bloating. Depending on who you are, a period could last anywhere from three to seven days, with some days heavier than others. All people are different in how they experience their menstruating time, so when irregularities occur, it can be confusing trying to find out what might be stopping things from happening as the should. According to the Mayo Clinic, a healthy menstrual flow happens mostly every 21 to 35 days and can last up to seven days. But what happens when your period shows up twice in one month?

If you normally have a regular period and all of a sudden begin experiencing two a month, it is worth investigating what might be going on. For many, changes in menstrual cycles throughout their lifetime will happen, but two periods a month may signify something more significant occurring in your body. 

When deciding what level of worry you should feel when you bleed more than once a month, it is important to know the difference between getting your period and spotting. According to Healthline, blood from spotting differs in color from your regular period. It's more of a reddish brown rather than a vibrant red. In addition, if you are spotting, you won't bleed enough to fill a tampon or even a pad. There are many possible causes for spotting. Some women experience spotting due to hormonal changes, some have missed a birth control pill, and some even experience this with ovulation (via K Health). If you feel you're bleeding more than would be classified as spotting, then it's time to investigate what might be a bigger issue.

As a general rule of thumb, if you are bleeding through more than one pad or tampon per hour, and you experience this for two or three months, it's definitely time to seek medical advice (via Medical News Today). Other symptoms that will signify there is more to your cycle than just bleeding are dizziness, weight loss or gain, and increased cramping.

While two periods a month might be a sign of perimenopause or a hormonal imbalance, it could also be a sign of something more sinister. Women's Health explains that sometimes two periods a month is caused by uterine polyps or fibroids. These are non-cancerous tumors that grow in the uterus. Although common, they may give you back pain, bloating, and painful intercourse. In addition, they do cause bleeding not associated with a normal menstrual cycle. In addition to fibroids, multiple periods a month could mean that you have an infection or the presence of pre-cancerous cells. News 24 says that these can be investigated with an ultrasound or uterine biopsy and should be cause to get into your doctor right away.

Our bodies are incredible enigmas that sometimes bring about signs that something isn't right. If you are getting your period multiple times a month, it is time to see your doctor so that you can get the answers you seek and take care of yourself appropriately.