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Writer's pictureGrace Health

Why Is My Period Early?

Updated: Sep 12, 2022

Imagine going to the washroom and realizing that you are on your period. You know that your period is not due for another week but yet there you are, thinking of whether you have a spare tampon or pad in your bag. Now before you panic, relax! Early periods do happen but let’s find it why they do or what causes them.




Is it normal?

Seeing your period early will always be an unpleasant surprise. If once in a while it shows up early, say about a week earlier than expected, it is not a cause for concern. Our bodies are all unique and so are our cycles. The typical period may last anywhere from 21 to 39 days with many people bleeding for about 2-7 days. If your cycle is frequently shorter than 21 days, it might point to an underlying issue. However, fluctuations in your hormones from month to month are common and typically, especially if you’ve just started menstruating.


What would cause an early period?

We now know that fluctuating hormones play a key role in your period showing up early. Here are factors that lead to it:


A change in your normal routine

Changes in your normal routine can affect your hormones and cause your period to come early or late. For example, nurses or women in general who switch between day and night shifts often experience irregular periods. Travelling, and switching time zones may have similar effects.


Intense exercise

Exercising is great but too much of anything is poisonous. Intense exercise can cause irregular periods or cause your period to stop altogether. How? It affects your periods when you burn way more calories than you eat. Without adequate energy, your body doesn’t produce the number of reproductive hormones it needs to ovulate normally.


Weight fluctuations

Period irregularities often occur with rapid weight loss. When the body is in starvation mode, it reserves its energy for essential life functions, like breathing. This would ultimately stop the production of reproductive hormones, which leads to period irregularities. This can happen with extreme dieting, gastric bypass surgery, or eating disorders.


This does not refer to your daily stressful activities but severe stress. It can disrupt your hormone levels, causing irregular periods. If you are experiencing anxiety, depression or have recently been through a traumatic event, this may throw your hormones out of balance.

Puberty

This starts between the ages of 8 and 13 and is driven by reproductive hormones. In the first few years after you get your period, these hormones can be irregular. This means that the number of days between your periods may be shorter or longer than average. These hormones will continue to affect your menstrual cycle throughout your child-bearing years.


Perimenopause

This is the transition into menopause and another stage where your reproductive hormones affect your cycle. It typically begins in your mid to late forties and lasts about four years. During this time, you may not ovulate every month. This can cause irregular periods, so you may menstruate sooner or later than usual.


Blood thinning medication

Taking blood thinners also known as anticoagulants may prolong your period and cause heavy bleeding. Anticoagulants are released naturally during your period to help thin the lining of your uterus, so it can flow out of the vagina. Taking them may cause this process to happen faster and result in a heavier flow.


It’s referred to as hormonal because it contains hormones which directly affect ovulation and menstruation. Other hormonal birth control options, like the Depo-Provera, shot and intrauterine devices (IUDs), can cause menstrual irregularities for the first two or three months.


Emergency contraception

Emergency Contraception (EC) pills contain hormones that disrupt the normal ovulation process. This may lead to an early or late period. Remember If you use EC pills routinely, your period may become irregular. This is why experts advise that you should avoid using this method as your go-to or long-term contraceptive method.


Some STIs

STIs like chlamydia and gonorrhoea are common and though they may not cause any symptoms when they occur, they’re known to cause spotting between periods or blood-tinged discharge.


Thyroid disease

Approximately one in eight women will develop a thyroid condition in their lifetime. Thyroid conditions cause your body to make more or less thyroid hormone than your body needs. This hormone is essential to several body functions, including your metabolism and menstrual cycle. One of its main symptoms happens to be early menstruation.


Endometriosis occurs when endometrium-like tissue begins to grow outside the uterus in areas like the ovaries, abdomen, and bowel. One of the symptoms is unexpected bleeding.


Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)

PCOS is a common condition caused by a hormonal imbalance. It affects 1 in 10 women of childbearing age. Many people don’t know they have PCOS until they have difficulty becoming pregnant. Some of the symptoms associated with it are irregular or missed periods.


How to avoid being surprised by early period symptoms

Since an early period is not the kind of surprise you would like there are a few ways to avoid that annoying stain on your underwear. For instance, you can consider wearing panty liners a few days before your expected period date. This way, if your period is a little early, you’re still protected. Another trick is to have a few pads or tampons in hand in case your tampon sneaks up on you.


In summary

There are plenty of reasons that could cause your early period. Almost all of them are related to fluctuating hormones. While it might not always be something to be concerned about, pay attention if your early period comes with other unusual symptoms. These could point to an underlying issue and a good time to consult your doctor.


Stay informed, stay in control Have you ever heard of an early period before?


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12 則留言


Melissa Prinz
Melissa Prinz
5 days ago

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lindacooper12zaqwer
9月03日

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safflow ertimely
safflow ertimely
5月23日

The pH of the vagina may be impacted and various odors can be produced by blood, semen, or urine. A faint blood odor may be present during "healthy" times. This can be a faint metallic odor caused by germs and iron. geometry dash

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訪客
2023年7月27日

Hello people all over the world, I want everyone here to help me thank Dr Bright, for what he has done in my life and my family, I was married for 6 years no child, I went to so many hospital, and the doctor told me that I'm having fibroids and fallopian blockage tubes, and they told me that there Is nothing wrong with my womb, so a friend of mind introduced me to Dr Bright, and I contacted him, and told him all my problems, he told me everything is going to be alright, so he did everything, and send me some native herbs to drink, I only took the herbs just one month and later on I fall…

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訪客
2023年5月13日

I had my period 10 days again and I'm seeing another one now hope is. Not that I'm pregnant

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