Is it normal for menstrual cycle to vary

There are also regular and irregular ranges for menstrual bleeding, and regular and irregular ranges for pain. A period that comes every cycle at exactly the same time is not the norm. But even outside of those times, slight variations in timing and symptoms are common. If you are stressed out during the first half of your cycle, for example, your ovulation may happen a couple of days later than usual.

This will cause certain symptoms such as sore breasts to happen later as well. Your period will also then be a couple of days late 1. They can be caused by changes in your environment, behavior, or health, including things like diet and exercise, sleep changes and jetlag and smoking 3,4.

Slight changes in your cycle length, period length, and period volume are also normal over time 1. Menstrual cycles are caused by the rhythmic ups and downs of your reproductive hormones, and the physical changes those ups and downs cause. They trigger the growth of follicles in the ovaries, the release of an egg ovulation and the growth and shedding of the uterine lining the period. The reproductive hormones include estrogen, progesterone, follicle stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, testosterone and others.

In a way, hormones in the menstrual cycle act a bit like they are in a relay race. As the cycle moves forward, one hormone often triggers the next, which then triggers the next, moving the cycle through its different phases. Having more or less of certain hormones will create changes in the pace and timing of the cycle. Regular mid-cycle spotting may be caused by ovulation 1.

Any unpredictable spotting or continual changes to period length should be addressed with a healthcare provider 8. If the majority of your cycles fall outside these ranges, read more here. Variations that are more significant also occur. They are often temporary, lasting only one or two cycles. These can happen for reasons such as an undetected miscarriage, high stress, or not getting enough calories. The cycle and period following that one may also be a bit different.

Levels of oestrogen and progesterone fall, and the womb lining comes away and leaves the body as a period the menstrual flow. The time from the release of an egg to the start of a period is around 10 to 16 days. A period is made up of blood and the womb lining. The first day of a woman's period is day 1 of the menstrual cycle. Some women bleed more heavily than this, but help is available if heavy periods are a problem. Find out about treatments for heavy periods.

Ovulation is the release of an egg from the ovaries. A woman is born with all her eggs. Once she starts her periods, 1 egg develops and is released during each menstrual cycle. After ovulation, the egg lives for 24 hours. Pregnancy happens if a man's sperm meet and fertilise the egg.

Sperm can survive in the fallopian tubes for up to 7 days after sex. Occasionally, more than 1 egg is released during ovulation. If more than 1 egg is fertilised it can lead to a multiple pregnancy, such as twins. A woman can't get pregnant if ovulation doesn't occur. It can also help a person determine whether their cycle is regular or irregular.

There are a few ways a person can track their period, including mobile applications or in a diary or calendar. Some people also use period tracking to monitor when they might ovulate. However, according to an article in npj Digital Medicine , period tracking alone is not reliable, since the day of ovulation can change month to month.

Additionally, a typical cycle length does not necessarily mean a person ovulated. According to an article in Bioengineering and Translational Medicine , if a person wants to find out when they ovulate, they should also monitor:. Because an irregular period sometimes means a person is not ovulating, very long or short cycles could be a sign of a hormonal imbalance that may make it difficult to conceive. However, it is not necessarily the case that someone with irregular periods will not get pregnant, or that someone with regular periods will.

The OWH lists several causes of infertility in males and females. People who have irregular periods who want to get pregnant may want to see a doctor before trying to conceive. People should also inform a doctor if they experience sudden changes in their cycle or have symptoms of an underlying condition, such as severe cramps or heavy periods. The average number of days between periods is 28— A significant amount of variation could be a sign of an underlying condition or hormonal imbalance.

If a person has concerns about the number of days between periods or their fertility, they should contact a doctor. There are many possible causes for irregular periods. You should always talk to your doctor if your period is irregular so that they can rule out…. While occasional changes in the menstrual cycle are not unusual, frequently experiencing two periods in a month may indicate an underlying medical….

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.