What causes a woman to see her period twice in one month

Updated on: 21 July 2020, 14:12 pm IST

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Imagine a situation where your periods have just ended and within a span of just 10 days, you start bleeding again. Yes, we are talking about getting your periods twice in a month. Don’t be alarmed because this situation is quite rare.

In fact, when we asked Dr Bilsi Mittal, a gynaecologist at Wockhardt Hospital, Mumbai, whether a woman can get her periods twice in a month, she promptly replied YES.

But, she also added that “Nowadays it is a little normal due to many factors but if it continues to happen for months altogether, then you must get yourself checked as this could be an indication of a bigger problem.”

According to Dr Mittal, there are multiple reasons that can lead to this problem and the age of the woman also has a major role to play. No points for guessing, hormones are the biggest culprits here. Here are 10 reasons why you might be getting your period twice in one month:

1. You might be pregnant
“If the woman is in her reproductive age then there are high chances that she might be bleeding because she is pregnant. Intermittent bleeding happens in pregnancy and it is quite normal”, says Dr Mittal.

2. You might have PCOS
Yes, if you are dealing with PCOS or polycystic ovarian syndrome then there is a chance that you might get your period twice in a month. Says Dr Mittal, “PCOS is all about hormonal imbalance and hormones have a direct implication on your periods. Not just two periods in one month but no period at all can also be a situation for some ladies. At times, when there is weight gain due to the disorder then that also affects the ovulation cycle and hence bleeding is observed.”

3. You might have polyps or fibroids issues
Dr Mittal suggests that fibroids can play a major role here. When either polyps or fibroids form along the uterus lining, then it can impact the period cycle.

4. Your thyroid is not functioning the way it should
“In some of my patients I have seen that their thyroid is not functioning properly and due to that there is a major hormonal imbalance in their body due to which they are getting two periods in a month,” says Dr Mittal.

5. You might have missed a dose of your oral contraceptive pills
Oral contraceptive pills or birth control pills are nothing but hormones according to Dr Mittal. She says, “If a woman is taking them regularly and she missed it then it that can lead to a hormonal disturbance in their body and bleeding might take place.”

Also read: Forgot to take your birth control pill? Here’s some important advice from a gynaecologist

6. You might have an infection down there
“Well, this bleeding might not be menstrual bleeding but if your cervix is unhealthy or you have precancerous growth down there then there are chances of bleeding”, says Dr Mittal.

7. You might be hit by a premenopause
According to our gynaecologist, this is seen with women who are above 40 and is absolutely normal. Frequent bleeding is a normal phenomenon in women attaining menopause.

8. You might be stressed out
“Majorly happens with young women nowadays. Due to their hectic work lives, their hormones go for a toss. Plus, unhealthy habits make their case worse leading to two periods in a month. But this is only normal when it happens once or twice. If it is frequent then they must go and talk to their doctor,” says Dr Mittal.

9. You might be exercising too hard
Exerting our body beyond its capacity will always have repercussions and one of them is having two periods in one month. “Vigorous exercise and crash dieting are the worst thing that you can do to your reproductive health. It should always be a gradual process and it should be balanced so that your body can adapt”, says Dr Mittal.

10. You might be travelling way too much
“In this case there are a lot of factors that are at play like weather change, eating habits, sleeping pattern, stress levels, etc. All of them disrupt your hormonal balance – hence you might end up bleeding twice in a month,” concludes Dr Mittal.

Normal menstrual cycles range from 21 to 35 days (and you can predict when your next period will arrive with our online period calculator). However, it’s not uncommon to experience monthly variations in menstrual cycles. Some cycles may be shorter and others longer, which means it’s possible to have 2 periods in a month.

In most cases, getting a period twice a month has a simple explanation. If it happens repeatedly, however, it’s important to take notice of any signs and symptoms. Read on to learn why two periods may happen in the same month.

Two periods in one month for the first time

People with short menstrual cycles frequently have periods at the beginning and the end of a month. For someone with a typical menstrual cycle — usually about 28 days or so — having a period twice a month may be a bit surprising and seem unusual. It’s important to remember that irregular bleeding can indicate a medical concern, and it’s easy to mistake for a period. In some cases, bleeding could indicate one of the following:

• Pregnancy (uterine or extrauterine) — Since vaginal bleeding can occur during pregnancy, it’s important to talk to a health care provider if there’s a chance of pregnancy.
• A sexually transmitted infection (STI) — STIs can cause light bleeding or spotting as well as abnormal vaginal discharge.
• Miscarriage — Miscarriages are often accompanied by heavy vaginal bleeding. It’s important to visit a health care provider immediately if vaginal bleeding occurs during pregnancy. 
• Hormones — Hormonal imbalance or problems with ovulation caused by thyroid dysfunction, hyperprolactinemia, and polycystic ovary syndrome can cause irregular vaginal bleeding.
• Weight — Stress, too much exercise, and weight changes can cause two periods in one month.
• Taking hormonal contraception — Bleeding between periods is common during the first several months of taking hormonal contraception. If it lasts longer, make sure to contact a health care provider. 
• Cervical or endometrial polyps — These are benign growths of the uterine or cervical lining, which can also cause two periods in one month.
• Any changes in the cervix — Ectropion, cervical intraepithelial neoplasia, and cervical cancer can all cause bleeding between periods.
• Uterine abnormalities — Fibroids, adenomyosis, and endometrium (inner lining of the uterus) overgrowth may also cause two periods in one month.

Period every 2 weeks or spotting? Know the difference

Some of these tips may be able to help you determine if bleeding outside an expected period is due to an irregular period, ovulation, or a reproductive issue:

• Typical period bleeding, including having two periods in one month, often means soaking through a tampon or pad every few hours. The blood is usually bright or dark red, brown, or pink.
• With spotting, usually the bleeding won’t be enough to soak through a tampon or pad. The blood is usually brown, pinkish, or dark red in color and typically doesn’t last longer than one to two days.

What causes two periods in one month? It may be due to a short menstrual cycle or a health condition that results in vaginal bleeding. 

Some of the things that could cause a period twice in one month are: 

1. Perimenopause — Perimenopause can be an underlying cause of having two periods in one month. It’s the phase that leads up to menopause, during which the body’s hormones begin to change. The duration of perimenopause varies from person to person and may last for up to ten years. During these years, shorter or longer menstrual cycles, lighter or heavier bleeding, or even skipping periods completely are all common. Menopause officially starts after 12 consecutive months of having no periods.

2. Uterine fibroids — These are growths in the uterus. They are usually not malignant or cancerous, but may cause particularly heavy or irregular bleeding. Additional symptoms of uterine fibroids include:

• Frequent urination
• A feeling of pressure or fullness in the pelvic area
• Pain in the lower back
• Pain during sex

Health care providers can diagnose uterine fibroids by performing a pelvic exam or ultrasound. 

3. Thyroid issues — Thyroid issues like hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism may also cause 2 periods in one month, as they can cause irregular cycles. In hypothyroidism, the thyroid gland is underactive and isn’t able to make enough thyroid hormone. Signs and symptoms of hypothyroidism include:

• Feeling cold all the time
• Constipation
• Always feeling tired
• Heavy period flow 
• Pale skin
• Slow heart rate
• Puffy face
• Weight gain

With hyperthyroidism, the thyroid gland is overactive and makes too much thyroid hormone. Signs and symptoms of hyperthyroidism include:

• Feeling hot all the time
• Bulging eyes
• Diarrhea
• Irritability
• Difficulty sleeping
• Weight loss
• Rapid heart rate

See your health care provider if you have symptoms of either thyroid condition, as both of them are treatable. 

Stress, using birth control, extreme weight gain or loss, and bleeding disorders can also cause menstrual cycles to suddenly become shorter, resulting in 2 periods in one month. 

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Risk factors and complications

People with a family history of early onset menopause or uterine fibroids may be more prone to having two periods in one month. One of the complications of having frequent vaginal bleeding is anemia, which is an iron deficiency that’s common among women. Some of the signs and symptoms of anemia include:

• Fatigue
• Weakness
• Pale skin
• Headache
• Dizziness
• Irregular heartbeat
• Shortness of breath

Do you need treatment for multiple periods in a month?

The occasional double period in a month is usually not a reason for concern. However, it’s important to see a health care provider if you experience any of the following:

• 2 periods in a month for 2 to 3 consecutive months 
• Heavy periods
• Large blood clots during periods (the size of a quarter or bigger)
• Lower abdominal pain, especially if it doesn’t get better within one to two days
• Severe menstrual cramps  
• Light bleeding or spotting between periods, which can easily be mistaken as 2 periods in a month, that repeats from month to month
• Pain during sex

The treatment for two periods in one month depends on the cause of the bleeding. People who have a short menstrual cycle naturally or who are in the early stages of puberty typically don’t require treatment. 

Health care providers may suggest hormonal birth control as a possible treatment for multiple periods in a month, as it can help regulate periods and resolve anemia that occurs due to heavy and frequent bleeding. If you’re already taking hormonal birth control and you think it might be causing you to have a period twice in one month, then be sure to talk to a health care provider. 

For hypothyroidism, a health care provider may prescribe thyroid hormone replacement therapy. For hyperthyroidism, several treatment options are available, and health care providers will suggest the one that is best for each condition. 

During perimenopause, health care providers may suggest menopausal hormone therapy to regulate periods until they cease with menopause. 

For uterine fibroids, health care providers may recommend different therapies, including an intrauterine device, uterine artery embolization, or surgery. 

Certain lifestyle changes can also help reduce stress, which certainly impacts the menstrual cycle. Possible changes include exercising regularly, practicing meditation, reducing caffeine intake, and listening to soothing music. 

While having a period twice a month may be somewhat normal for people with a short menstrual cycle, it can be surprising for those who tend to have a cycle that’s longer. 

In many cases, there’s no reason to worry about having a period twice a month, but sometimes it can indicate an underlying medical issue. 

Since there are many different reasons for having two periods in one month, the best course of action is to mention it to your health care provider. They can help figure out the reason behind it and determine an action plan. 

Updated on September 3, 2020

NHS Choices, NHS, www.nhs.uk/common-health-questions/womens-health/what-causes-bleeding-between-periods/.

“The Experts Discuss Abnormal Uterine Bleeding.” Medscape, 27 May 2004, www.medscape.com/viewarticle/475437_3.

“Abnormal Uterine Bleeding.” ACOG, www.acog.org/patient-resources/faqs/gynecologic-problems/abnormal-uterine-bleeding.