The average menstrual cycle is 28 days long but can vary from 24 to 38 days. If a menstrual cycle is shorter, a person may have two periods within the same calendar month.
While occasional changes in the menstrual cycle are not unusual, frequently experiencing two periods in a month may indicate an underlying issue. This article discusses six possible causes of having two periods in one month.
A person may occasionally have a shorter menstrual cycle that includes two periods in a month.
Following this, their periods may return to their regular cycle.
This occasional change is why doctors look for consistent patterns of frequent bleeding before making a diagnosis or suggesting treatments unless there is an infection or a more serious issue present.
Irregular menstrual cycles are common in young people who have just started to have periods.
People tend to have shorter or sometimes longer menstrual cycles during puberty, which may lead to them having two periods in 1 month.
Hormone levels fluctuate significantly during puberty. The Office on Women’s Health says that a young person’s menstrual cycle can take
Endometriosis is a condition where tissue that is similar to uterine tissue grows in other areas of the body.
Endometriosis can cause abdominal pain, abnormal cramping, and irregular bleeding. Sometimes, bleeding can be heavy enough to seem like another period.
In some circumstances, a doctor can diagnose endometriosis using a pelvic exam and ultrasounds.
However, a minor surgery called laparoscopy is the only definitive way to diagnose the condition.
Perimenopause refers to the years leading up to menopause when a person’s hormones start to change.
Perimenopause may last up to 10 years. During that time, people often experience irregular menstrual cycles, including having shorter or longer cycles, skipping periods, or experiencing heavier or lighter bleeding.
When someone has had no periods for 12 consecutive months, they are in menopause.
Read more about how perimenopause affects periods.
The thyroid is a regulator of hormonal processes in the body.
This small, butterfly-shaped gland sits just in front of the throat and controls functions such as body temperature and metabolism.
Irregular menstrual cycles are a common symptom associated with thyroid problems. This is true in both underactive thyroid or hypothyroidism and overactive thyroid or hyperthyroidism.
According to the Office on Women’s Health, an estimated
Symptoms of hypothyroidism include:
- always feeling cold
- constipation
- feeling tired all the time
- heavy menstrual bleeding
- pale skin
- puffy face
- slow heart rate
- unexplained weight gain
Symptoms of hyperthyroidism include:
- always feeling hot
- bulging of the eyes
- diarrhea or frequent bowel movements
- difficulty sleeping
- irritability
- rapid heart rate
- unexplained weight loss
Both conditions are treatable, so people should see a doctor if they think they may have a thyroid condition.
Uterine fibroids are growths that occur in the uterus. Fibroids are usually not cancerous but can cause bleeding, especially heavy menstrual bleeding.
Additional symptoms of fibroids can include:
- feelings of fullness or pressure in the pelvis
- frequent urination
- low back pain
- pain during sex
While doctors do not know what causes uterine fibroids to develop, they do know that they tend to run in families, and changes in hormone levels can affect them.
Doctors can often diagnose the condition by conducting a pelvic examination or performing imaging studies, such as an ultrasound.
If someone has two periods a month over the course of 2–3 months, they should contact a doctor.
People should also speak with a doctor about heavy bleeding, such as:
- passing blood clots that are the size of a quarter or larger
- bleeding through one or more pads or tampons every hour
Other period symptoms a person should talk with a doctor about include:
- feeling faint
- pain or bleeding during intercourse
- pelvic pain
- shortness of breath
- unexplained weight changes, including weight gain or loss
Frequent periods can indicate an underlying condition that requires treatment.
Having too many periods can also result in blood loss, which leads to iron-deficiency anemia or low blood counts, so it is essential to seek medical advice.
Here are some frequently asked questions about periods.
Why am I bleeding again after my period 2 weeks ago?
There are various reasons a person may bleed between periods. Young people’s menstrual cycles can take
Bleeding again after 2 weeks can also be due to health conditions such as endometriosis, fibroids, and thyroid problems.
I got my period twice this month. Am I pregnant?
It is possible that bleeding twice in a month can signal pregnancy. Causes of bleeding during early pregnancy include implantation bleeding, where the embryo buries into the lining of the uterus.
Another cause is ectopic pregnancy, where the embryo begins to grow outside the uterus. A person can take a pregnancy test to see if pregnancy may be causing their bleeding.
Is it normal to have two periods in the same month?
While the average menstrual cycle is 28 days, some people have periods more regularly than every 4 weeks. If a person has a period at the beginning of the month, it is also possible for a period to begin at the end of the same month. If a person begins to experience a shorter time between periods than they usually have, it is best to contact a doctor for advice.
According to the Office on Women’s Health, the average woman has her period for
While changes to the menstrual cycle are more common during puberty and in the years leading to menopause, they are not as common in a person’s 20s and 30s.
If a person frequently has two periods in one month, this may indicate an underlying medical condition that could benefit from treatment.