{"id":42902,"date":"2025-04-01T08:56:00","date_gmt":"2025-04-01T08:56:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.humnutrition.com\/blog\/?p=42902"},"modified":"2025-04-18T15:53:47","modified_gmt":"2025-04-18T15:53:47","slug":"two-periods-one-month","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.humnutrition.com\/blog\/two-periods-one-month\/","title":{"rendered":"Two Menstrual Periods in One Cycle? The Reasons Why and What to Do About It"},"content":{"rendered":"

Experiencing two menstrual periods within a single month can be both confusing and concerning. While a typical menstrual cycle lasts about 28 days, it’s essential to recognize that a “normal” period<\/a> can vary significantly among individuals. Some women may have shorter cycles, leading to more frequent periods, while others may experience longer intervals between cycles. Having two periods in one month can be attributed to various factors, ranging from stress to changes in contraceptive methods. In this article, we’ll explore the potential causes of having two periods in one month and discuss solutions to help manage this occurrence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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How Long is the Average Menstrual Cycle?<\/h2>\n\n\n

Board-certified functional and Cosmetic Gynecologist Dr. Michael Reed explains, “The average menstrual cycle is 28 days, but here’s the thing\u2014your body isn’t a clock. A “normal” cycle can be anywhere from 21 to 35 days, depending on the person. Some women have shorter cycles, others have longer ones, and it can vary from month to month. The key is knowing your normal.”<\/p>\n\n\n

Why Do Some Women Get Two Periods in One Month?<\/h2>\n\n\n

Menstrual health practitioner Michelle Agudelo<\/a> explains, “What we experience when we have two periods in one month is called a “breakthrough bleed.” This means that your uterine lining is being built up too much under the influence of estrogen (in this case, excess estrogen), and your progesterone (which is responsible for maintaining the uterine lining once it’s built up) is unable to hold all of this excess lining, so it is released even if no ovulation has occurred. (this is the blood we see being released).”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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These two hormones play a significant role in regulating the menstrual cycle, and when they become imbalanced due to underlying issues, they can result in irregular cycles<\/a>. Agudelo says, “It’s all about getting the basics right! When your body receives what it needs to function at its best (adequate sleep<\/a>, nutrition, movement, and low stress), then your body feels safe, and it can develop a healthy follicle(s), have a healthy ovulation, a healthy luteal phase, and a healthy menstruation. The problems begin to arise when we do not get the basics right.” The ‘basics’ Agudelo is referring to include:<\/p>\n\n\n

Stress<\/h3>\n\n\n

“Stress is one of the biggest disruptors,” Reed says. “When you’re constantly under pressure, your body produces more cortisol<\/a>, the stress hormone, which can interfere with the signals between your brain and ovaries. This can lead to late or missed periods because your body is prioritizing survival over reproduction. It can also cause random spotting or heavier bleeding since cortisol fluctuations throw estrogen and progesterone levels off balance. And if you’ve noticed your cramps feeling worse when you’re stressed, that’s because chronic stress increases inflammation<\/a>, making everything feel more intense.”
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Tip:<\/strong> If you’re prone to having moderate to severe PMS<\/a> symptoms, you’ll want to take HUM’s Hormone Balance<\/a>. The supplement uses chasteberry extract, which helps minimize PMS symptoms like cramping, irritability, and acne. Additionally, Dong Quai Root promotes balanced estrogen levels, further reducing discomfort for overall relief.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n

Diet and Exercise<\/h3>\n\n\n

Your diet also plays a crucial role in regulating hormones and maintaining a healthy menstrual cycle. Agudelo says things like undereating, over-eating inflammatory foods (e.g., alcohol<\/a>, fried foods, processed foods), and not meeting all of our daily needs (leading to nutrient deficiency) can result in imbalances that cause irregular periods. Dehydration is another essential factor that, without adequate levels, can increase stress hormones, causing cycle irregularities.<\/p>\n\n\n

Eating a healthy diet is especially crucial for those who are active. Engaging in intense exercise (like a HIIT workout) while being in a calorie deficit increases the amount of stress on the body, increasing our cortisol levels and causing an imbalance in hormone levels. This then leads to breakthrough bleeding in the menstrual cycle.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n

Birth Control and Contraceptives<\/h3>\n\n\n

Hormonal contraceptives, including birth control<\/a> pills, emergency contraceptives, intrauterine devices (IUDs), and implants, can sometimes lead to unscheduled bleeding occurring outside of regular periods. This side effect is particularly common as the body adjusts to new contraceptives in the first few months and can even occur when missing doses of birth control pills. Similarly, it can also happen with hormonal IUDs within the first two to six months after insertion.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n

Underlying Health Conditions<\/h3>\n\n\n

Several medical conditions can cause irregular periods, including:<\/p>\n\n\n\n