What if your menstrual cycle is 30 days

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. Day 1 is traditionally the first day of actual flow. It's normal to have anywhere between 21 and 35 days between periods. For example, if one cycle is 25 days, but another is 33 days, your cycles would be considered irregular even though a or day cycle is otherwise normal. It can also be normal for your cycles to vary by a few days from month to month.

For example, your cycle could be 33 days one month and 35 days the next and not be cause for concern. You may have heard that a day cycle is normal. While a day cycle could be considered the average cycle length, it's not necessarily an individual ideal.

You could have a menstrual cycle that is longer or shorter than 28 days and still be fertile. Alternatively, you might have a textbook day cycle and have fertility problems.

While irregular cycles can be a sign of a possible fertility problem, having regular cycles does not guarantee that your fertility is perfect. There are many causes of female and male fertility, and only some affect menstruation.

There are many factors that can influence an individual's menstrual cycle. Healthy individuals can experience a missed or irregular period if they:. Excessive exercise and rapid weight loss can also lead to irregular or even absent periods. This is common in athletes.

Some athletes don't know that their fertility can be impacted by exercise. If you are overweight, losing weight might help make your periods more regular. If you are underweight, gaining weight can help restore and regulate your menstrual cycle however, slow and steady weight change is the healthiest way to get there. Even though the phrase "irregular periods" refers to cycle length, this is not the only aspect of your period that can go awry. You can have normal cycle lengths but experience:.

Talk to your doctor if you are worried about any aspect of your menstrual cycle or have questions about your period, fertility, or reproductive health. These may include:. Treatment methods for a long period can vary. Your doctor will treat the underlying cause. They may also recommend a treatment to reduce your current bleeding, regulate your period, or relieve any discomfort. Hormonal birth control may regulate your period and shorten it in the future. This medication can be administered as:.

Your doctor also may advise you to take medication that reduces pain or discomfort you experience from the prolonged period. These medications may include over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories, such as Advil or Motrin.

Dilation and curettage can thin the layer of your uterus and reduce how much you bleed during your period. These procedures can relieve the long periods, but they may also eliminate the possibility of getting pregnant. Delaying a diagnosis could result in a more invasive procedure or intensive treatment for the underlying cause. Additionally, if your long period causes heavier blood loss, you could be at risk of developing anemia.

This may contribute to feelings of tiredness and weakness. Your doctor can use results from a blood test to diagnose anemia. If your iron levels are low, your doctor may recommend boosting your diet with iron-rich foods and a possible iron supplement to get your levels back to normal. Long periods may also be painful and interfere with your well-being and quality of life. You may miss days of school or work, or withdraw from activities you enjoy because of your long period.

Long periods can get in the way of your normal life, and they may also be a sign of an underlying condition that requires treatment. The injection and the implant both work to stop ovulation, which prevents hormone cycling 28, Both of these birth control methods can cause unpredictable or irregular bleeding patterns 28, The number of bleeding or spotting days tends to decrease over time with the implant or the shot and may result in no bleeding at all, particularly for people using the shot All of these changes are typical with these forms of birth control.

When using a hormonal IUD , you may not have a typical cycle. Most people will continue to ovulate while using a hormonal IUD Ovulation is more likely the longer you've had your IUD and with the IUDs that contain lower doses of progestin 36,38, Bleeding pattern while using a hormonal IUD does not necessarily indicate whether ovulation occurs during a cycle—you can have no bleeding and still be regularly ovulating 36, Bleeding usually lessens over time and some people will stop bleeding completely while using a hormonal IUD 9.

That means the majority of your cycles should be 24—38 days long, which is the typical range for cycle length in adults 3. Some people using a copper IUD may notice that their period is heavier and longer, or they may experience unscheduled spotting, but these side effects often improve over time 9. Download Clue to track your menstrual cycle length. Article was originally published on May 17, Science is evolving each day on how coronavirus affects pregnancy, lactation, and postpartum.

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