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Reasons for Having a Period Every Two Weeks

 
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Menstrual Cycle related image Andres Rodriguez/PhotoSpin

The menstrual cycle occurs in all females from the onset to puberty (average age 11 or 12 years) to the menopause in middle age (average age between 45-55). The lining of the uterus is shed via vaginal bleeding when a girl or woman has not conceived a pregnancy.

The menstrual period lasts between two days and seven days, usually occurring once every 28 days, although anything from once every 24 days to once every 35 days is considered normal.

If you are having a period more than once every 24 days, it is considered an irregular cycle.

Having a period once every two weeks, or twice a month is abnormal and you should see your doctor because you may become anemic if you are having very frequent periods. They are sometimes a sign of infection or other medical problem that would need treatment.

Reasons for a period every two weeks could be:

• Dramatic weight loss or gain -- This changes the hormones in the body and these are responsible for directing when the period will start.

• Excessive exercise -- This too disrupts hormones.

• Stress -- Exams, family argument, financial worries, divorce, even a holiday can cause a temporary change in your menstrual cycle.

• Illness and/or medications -- Some medications can affect your cycle. Talk to your doctor about altering or stopping your medication if you think this is happening.

• Uterine problems such as polyps, cysts, fibroids or tumors (either benign or cancerous).

• Sexually transmitted infections -- These can cause bleeding in between periods which can be mistaken for a period.

• Thyroid problems -- Thyroid disease could cause a thickening of the uterine lining, resulting in more bleeding than normal.

• Reactions to contraceptive methods -- Sometimes the pill, depo provera injections or the copper-only IUD can result in a change in your cycle.

~ The pill and IUD can make you bleed in between periods, known as "breakthrough bleeding" and this may be mistaken for a period.

~ The IUD can also make your periods heavier.

~ The depo-provera injection can make your cycle irregular, however, it often stops your period altogether instead of making it more frequent.

~ Sometimes changing or stopping your method of contraception can cause a sudden drop in hormones and this can result in a change to your cycle.

• Onset of menopause -- In women aged 45 and over, having periods every two weeks can be a sign that you are about to go through menopause. It can be a sign of ovulation beginning to shut down. If you are under 45, having irregular periods in addition to other symptoms commonly associated with menopause, may signal premature ovarian failure.

Treatment

Sometimes treatment is not necessary, for instance, if the disruption in cycle is due to stress, weight loss or gain, or illness, it may be temporary and may correct itself in time.

However, to rule out other possibilities your doctor will perform a pelvic examination. Your doctor may also take a sample of the uterine lining as well as doing an ultrasound scan to see if there are any obstructions in the uterus, such as fibroids.

If any obstructions are found, you can be referred for surgery to have them removed. If any cancer is found, you will be referred to an oncologist who will plan your care with you.

Sexually transmitted infections can be treated with antibiotics (and the use of condoms to prevent further infections). Your partner may have to be treated as well.

If the problem is caused by a contraceptive device or medication, this can usually be changed to stop the problem.

Heavy and/or frequent periods can sometimes be controlled by certain brands of the pill. If you find they are really disrupting your life, for instance, you are bleeding through your clothes, have to miss work days and can’t plan your holidays, this may be an option depending on your medical history.

Hormone treatment could also be given in this scenario, if you have thyroid disease or if you are starting menopause.

Sources:

Periods, Heavy. NHS Choices. Web. 26 May 2012. http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/periods-heavy/pages/introduction.aspx

Heavy Periods (Menorrhagia). WebMD. Retrieved May 27, 2012.
http://women.webmd.com/guide/heavy-period-causes-treatments

Top Ten Causes of Heavy Menstrual Bleeding. About.com Women's health. Retrieved May 27, 2012. http://womenshealth.about.com/od/abnormalbleeding/a/causemenorrhagi.htm

Irregular Periods Every Two Weeks, 34 Menopause Symptoms. Web. 26 May 2012.
http://www.34-menopause-symptoms.com/irregular-periods/articles/irregular-periods-every-two-weeks.htm

Premature Ovarian Failure, National Insititute for Child Health and Human Development. Web. 26 May 2012. http://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/Premature_Ovarian_Failure.cfm

Joanna is a freelance health writer for The Mother magazine and Suite 101 with a column on infertility, http://infertility.suite101.com/ She is the mother of five children and practices natural childbirth, delayed cord clamping, full term breastfeeding and organic food diet.

Reviewed May 28, 2012
by Michele Blacksberg RN
Edited by Jody Smith

Add a Comment221 Comments

EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous

Hi I am 24 years old.I have been seeing my periods for every other weeks in about 2 mths now.any advice i have 2 kids n my husband is out of the country.

April 30, 2016 - 7:47pm
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous

Hi there, I have been on a mini-pill called Microval for about 4 months now. My periods are between 11 and 13 days apart. Do you think it can be because of the pill and if so when will it go back to normal? Should I rather go back to the doctor?

April 18, 2016 - 6:27am
Guide (reply to Anonymous)

Hello Anonymous,

Have you been having a period every 11 to 13 days apart since you started taking Microval? I am not familiar with this particular oral contraceptive. Do you take three weeks of active, hormone containing pills and then a week of inactive pills?

My advice is to contact your doctor.

Regards,
Maryann

April 18, 2016 - 9:29am
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous

Hi, i am 23 yrs old and i've been bleeding for every two weeks for the past 2 years. After meeting a gynecologist, i've been diagonosed with 1.2*1.4 cm lesion in my uterus.. I have been on oc pills and recently it is 0.9*0.6. A new clear cyst is found in right adnexa .. Will it affect my fertility?

April 11, 2016 - 11:33am
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous

I'm 14 and I'm a little scared because my period has been really heavy lately and I had to start getting super plus tampons with heavy pads and my last period was 2 weeks ago and I just started again about 2 days ago, is this normal or should I tell my mom and ask about going to a doctor

April 5, 2016 - 12:51pm
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous (reply to Anonymous)

I know it's a little late, but I really think you should tell your mom. Ah, do you still have that problem?

June 11, 2016 - 1:17pm
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous (reply to Anonymous)

I'm 13 and I'm the same and I dunno what to do just know ur not alone

- a secret friend

April 29, 2016 - 1:15pm
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous (reply to Anonymous)

Tell mom n go to dr

April 11, 2016 - 1:36pm
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous

I just got off my period last Tuesday and I started back again today I don't know what is going on going to call my dr. in the morning to see what's going on with me it making me sick to my stomach I'm nauseated and throwing up please help me figure out what going on with me

March 29, 2016 - 7:22pm
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous

I am 33 years old with pcos and endometriosis. I've been on metformin for years to help regulate my periods and have been having normal, clock work cycles for years. My husband and I have tried to get pregnant for years, including using fertility drugs, to no avail. Due to this I have not been on bc since I was 20 years old. We have experienced 4 miscarriages so far and each one was very painful (physically and emotionally).
Every month I have pms symptoms about a week and a half before I start and cramp/bleed heavily for the 1st few days. This month I did not have any symptoms or cramping and it lasted about 4 days (usually 7-8 days). 2 weeks later I passed a large blood clot (have been since my 1st miscarriage in 2001) and started bleeding again. This is completely out of character for me, even with pcos. I'm also not bleeding regularly. I'll bleed for a couple hours and then it stops for about 12-14 hours.
Any suggestions as to why I started a 2nd cycle?

March 28, 2016 - 12:02pm
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