When a woman's period deviates from a fairly regular cycle for instance, having a period every two weeks or more than one period in a month her periods are said to be irregular. Irregular periods can encompass a broad range of issues concerning a woman's menstrual cycle.
What Is an Irregular Period?
The average length of a menstrual cycle is 28 days, but a “normal” cycle can be between 21 and 35 days with bleeding lasting three to seven days any pattern that deviates from this is usually described as irregular. Periods that are excessively frequent, such as bleeding every two weeks or having two periods in one month, are known as metrorrhagia. This disorder is known to affect women of all ages, but is most commonly seen among women who are approaching menopause.
What Causes Periods Every Two Weeks?
Periods every two weeks are most commonly caused by imbalanced levels of estrogen and progesterone. This is very common during puberty and menopause, as the body struggles to adapt to the big changes it's experiencing. However, there are many other relatively common causes of metrorrhagia, such as drastic weight loss, going off hormonal contraception (or starting a new type of it), or obesity especially if related to polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS).
In rarer cases, persistently heavy periods every two weeks are caused by benign uterine abnormalities, such as endometriosis or uterine fibroids. In much more extreme cases, the bleeding may be related to certain types of cancer. In such cases, it's best to check with a physician.
How to Deal with Periods Every Two Weeks
There are two main approaches when it comes to treating periods every two weeks or two periods in one month: lifestyle changes and pharmaceutical approaches.
These changes in daily habits include, in addition to an overall healthy lifestyle, different strategies to make the symptom easier to cope with. These consist of:
Eating plenty of fruits and vegetables. The body loses a lot of nutrients from frequent bleeding, so eating plenty of fresh fruit (especially citrus ones) and leafy greens like broccoli or Swiss chard will help the body recover the lost vitamin C and iron.
Staying hydrated. Periods every two weeks usually cause bloating and water retention. This can be minimized by avoiding high-sodium foods and drinking extra water, which will help flush the body properly.
Keeping a period calendar. A detailed journal with the exact dates of your periods, alongside any related symptoms, can help you try to predict them and therefore be prepared.
Trying gentle, but regular exercise. Constant bleeding may make more intense workouts, like jogging twice a week, too uncomfortable; mild daily workouts such as gentle calisthenics, long walks, or stretching routines may be easier.
Trying restorative yoga. This gentle type of yoga is specifically designed to relieve muscle tension and cramping, and it's very soothing, so it can help greatly with PMS.
Taking herbal remedies. Some herbal supplements can offer mild relief for hormonal imbalance. The most popular ones include soy extract or Vitex chasteberry supplements.
Some women who are experiencing two periods in one month may want to consider medication, especially if it happens for more than three months in a row. The contraceptive pill is the most common medication used in these cases, although a doctor's advice is necessary to decide which form is best. Additionally, women with intense cramps may try with over-the-counter pain relievers, such as ibuprofen or paracetamol.
Experiencing periods every two weeks is bound to create a lot of stress and discomfort. Although such frequent periods commonly last for only one or two months, if they persist or are accompanied by sharp pain, then see a medical practitioner. Learn more about the different treatments for irregular periods here.
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Irregular Periods and Pregnancy
How to Manage Your Weight and Irregular Periods
Excessive Menstrual Bleeding
How to Stop Irregular Periods
The Effects of Heavy, Painful Irregular Periods on Your Body