Menstrual Disorders Cycle Disorders Why You Might Have 2 Periods in One Month Common and Rare Causes of Frequent Periods By Denise Witmer Updated on February 16, 2023 Medically reviewed by Renita White, MD Print Table of Contents View All Table of Contents Age Birth Control Lifestyle Changes Weight Gain Endometriosis Thyroid Disease Polyps or Fibroids PID Cancer When to Call Your Provider Frequently Asked Questions Getting two periods in one month is most often due to something simple and harmless. It some cases, though, it could indicate an underlying health problem that requires treatment. Possible reasons you may have two periods in one month include: Age Skipping or stopping birth control Lifestyle or habit changes Weight gain or obesity Endometriosis Thyroid disease Uterine polyps or fibroids Pelvic inflammatory disease Cancer This is not an uncommon occurrence. For some, two periods a month may even be their norm. But having frequent periods consistently should always be evaluated by a healthcare provider. This article explores these possible reasons for having two periods in one month, plus the signs and symptoms of conditions that can cause irregular menstrual cycles and how they're treated. Can You Get Pregnant While on Your Period? Age and Frequent Periods Period frequency, how many days it lasts, and how much you bleed are all influenced by your body’s hormone levels. These levels fluctuate throughout your life. During your teen years, cycles are often irregular because of all the hormone changes that are taking place. Your cycles may normalize in your 20s or 30s only to once again become irregular in your 40s and early 50s as you make the transition to menopause. Hormonal Changes Average Age Age Range First period 12 8-16 Perimenopause 41-43 Late 30s-mid-40s Menopause 51 Late 40s-early 50s Early menopause -- 40-45 Premature menopause -- Under 40 When Does Menopause Start? Teen Years The average age to start menstruating is 12, but that’s not a rule. Your first period can come anywhere between 8 and 16. For the first few years, your periods might be irregular because of constantly shifting hormones. These shifts may cause frequent periods such as two periods in one month. These early fluctuations are usually not a cause for concern. However, if you don't get more regular over time, talk to a healthcare provider. If there’s no underlying condition causing frequent or irregular periods, providers may prescribe oral contraceptives (birth control pills) to regulate your cycle. Verywell / Ellen Lindner What Teens Should Know About Periods Perimenopause Perimenopause is when you are transitioning to but have not yet reached menopause. (Menopause begins when you haven't had a period for 12 months in a row.) During this time, your estrogen levels drop. That can make your cycle irregular and your periods more (or less) frequent—possibly causing two periods in one month. The blood flow may also be shorter or longer, lighter or heavier. Most people with female reproductive organs start this phase between their late 30s and mid-40s. The process generally lasts for about eight to 10 years before menopause begins. Some people have early (before age 45) or premature (before age 40) menopause. Changes in period frequency can be a sign that you’re entering one of these phases. If period changes are related to perimenopause, you might be able to regulate them with birth control pills, patches, or rings. Bleeding After Menopause Vaginal bleeding after menopause is not normal. It can be a sign of serious disease, including endometrial cancer. Call your healthcare provider right away if you're postmenopausal and have any vaginal bleeding or abnormal discharge. What Causes Bleeding After Menopause? Skipping or Stopping Birth Control Oral contraception (birth control pills) suppresses your normal menstrual cycle with hormones that keep your body from ovulating. Birth control pills usually come with a three-week supply of pills with hormones followed by a week of pills without any hormones (placebos). The lack of hormones during the placebo week triggers your period. The same thing can happen when you go off of the pill or even miss just a pill or two. This can happen even if you've had a recent period, leading to two periods in one month. Your body can also react this way if you make a mistake with another form of hormonal birth control like the birth control patch or the ring. The right way to restart birth control after missing one or more doses depends on the type. Always read the information that comes with your pills. You can also ask your provider or pharmacist what to do if you forget a pill. Forget a Pill? If you miss a pill, you need to use a backup method of contraception or emergency contraception to avoid an unintended pregnancy. Why You May Have Spotting Between Periods If You're On Birth Control Lifestyle Changes Changes in your day-to-day routine can affect your menstrual cycle. Certain habits and situations might make you have two periods in one month or get your period early. Lifestyle factors that can change your menstrual cycle include: Stressful events Extensive travel Exercising more Lack of sleep All of these factors put your body under stress, which throws off the hypothalamus and leads to the release of excess stress hormone (cortisol). All that extra cortisol changes your body’s ability to regulate hormones, which can lead to irregular menstrual cycles and either more or fewer periods. Typically, getting back to your normal routine will also get your cycle back on track. 10 Reasons Your Period Is Late Weight Gain or Obesity Rapid weight gain can throw your cycle. That's because it affects the part of your brain that regulates hormones (the hypothalamus). That can lead to hormonal fluctuations that may cause two periods in one month or to infrequent periods. Obesity has a complex relationship with menstruation. High levels of fat (adipose tissue) can upset the balance of sex hormones and lead to excess estrogen. Too much estrogen can make you have short menstrual cycles and more periods. Hormonal imbalances can also cause heavier bleeding, more cramps, and longer-lasting pain during your period. Menstrual changes related to weight are most severe when the extra fat is mostly around the belly. Losing weight and maintaining a healthy weight for your body can help keep your menstrual cycle regular. If you need help losing weight, talk to your provider about your options. How Your Weight Affects Your Period Endometriosis Endometriosis is a medical condition that causes tissue that's similar to the endometrium to grow in other parts of the body. The main symptoms of endometriosis are painful periods, excessive bleeding, and short menstrual cycles—which could mean having two periods in one month. People with endometriosis have extra and more severe periods in part because the endometrium has overgrown, which means there’s more of it to be shed. What Are the Symptoms of Endometriosis? If you have endometriosis, you might also have bleeding and pain when you ovulate because the tissue can stick to the ovaries and form cysts. Other symptoms of endometriosis include: Menstrual cramps that do not get better relieved by over-the-counter anti-inflammatory drugs Nausea and vomiting Excessive gas Diarrhea Chronic pelvic pain Fatigue Headaches or migraines Leg pain Pain during vaginal penetration Painful bowel movements Difficulty getting pregnant Endometriosis can sometimes be managed with low-dose birth control pills or other hormone therapies. Surgery to remove the lesions may help, but the tissue often comes back. Some people with endometriosis have their uterus and/or ovaries removed (hysterectomy and oophorectomy). Should You Have a Hysterectomy for Endometriosis? Thyroid Disease Your thyroid gland and the hormones it makes are important for regulating your menstrual cycle. When you don't have enough thyroid hormone (hypothyroidism), your periods can be really heavy or more frequent, such as two periods in a month. You may need to change your pad, tampon, or cup every hour or double up your protection (such as wearing a tampon and pad). Your periods may also last longer than a week. Other symptoms of hypothyroidism include: Feeling very cold Constipation Muscle weakness Unexplained weight gain Joint or muscle pain Fatigue Dry skin Thinning hair Feeling depressed or sad Puffy face Sweating less than usual Treatment with human-made (synthetic) versions of thyroid hormones should help regulate your menstrual cycle. How Thyroid Function Affects Your Period How Heavy Periods Can Cause Anemia Uterine Polyps or Fibroids Uterine polyps (also called endometrial polyps) are soft growths in the endometrium. They can be as small as a sesame seed or larger than a golf ball. You can have one or multiple polyps, which are usually not cancerous. They're more common with age and rare in people under 20. Symptoms of uterine polyps include: Post-menopausal bleeding or spottingBleeding after vaginal penetrationInfertility Uterine fibroids are growths in the muscle tissue rather than the endometrium. They're also called leiomyomas, myomas, or fibromas. Fibroids can be inside or outside the uterus. As with polyps, you can have one or several. Symptoms of uterine fibroids include: Bloating and swelling in the abdomenFrequent urination and being unable to empty your bladderPain during vaginal penetrationLower back painConstipationVaginal discharge Both polyps and fibroids can cause problems with your menstrual cycle. You may have more frequent periods (including two periods in one month), longer and heavier periods, and bleeding between periods. The treatment for polyps and fibroids ranges from symptom management and hormonal therapies to surgical removal of the growths. In more serious cases, people need to have a hysterectomy. Uterine growths can also affect your fertility and may even cause miscarriages. Uterine Fibroids in Black Women Pelvic Inflammatory Disease Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is an infectious illness. It occurs when normal vaginal bacteria or sexually transmitted infections (STIs)—especially chlamydia and gonorrhea—move from the vagina up to the: Uterus Fallopian tubes Ovaries The risk of PID is higher when: You're on your period Your cervix is open due to recently having a baby, miscarriage, abortion, or IUD placement) PID can cause irregular menstrual cycles, including two periods in one month, or spotting and cramping between periods. Other symptoms of PID include: Pain or tenderness in the lower abdomen Yellow or green vaginal discharge with a strange odor Fever or chills Nausea and vomiting Burning with urination Pain during vaginal penetration Repeated bouts of PID can cause scarring on the fallopian tubes that can lead to chronic pelvic pain, ectopic pregnancy, and infertility. It's important to get PID treated as soon as possible. While antibiotics can clear up the infection, they won’t heal the damage to your reproductive organs. Why PID Can Cause Infertility Cancer It’s not as common as other reasons, but menstrual changes (including two periods in one month) can sometimes be a sign of cancer. Cancers of the reproductive organs, including the uterus, cervix, and ovaries, can change your hormones and menstrual cycle. Uterine cancer can cause you to have periods more often. Cervical and ovarian cancers are more often associated with long and heavy periods rather than more frequent periods. The Stages of Uterine Cancer Uterine Cancer Two types of cancer are possible in your uterus: Endometrial cancer: Tumors develop in the uterine lining (by far the most common type) Uterine sarcoma: Cancer develops in the wall of the uterus (extremely rare) Either type of cancer can cause more frequent periods that might also be very long and heavy—especially if you’re over the age of 40. These cancers can also cause bleeding between periods and spotting or bleeding after menopause. Other symptoms of reproductive cancers include: Pain or cramping in the lower abdomen/pelvis Unexplained weight loss Thin, clear, or white vaginal discharge after menopause The treatment for uterine cancer depends on the type you have and how healthy you are. A few options include: Chemotherapy Radiation Hormone therapy Immunotherapy Medications that stop cancer cells from multiplying Surgery (hysterectomy) Signs of Uterine Cancer When to Call Your Provider While some of the causes of frequent periods are not serious and don't need treatment, don’t assume that’s the case if you have two periods in one month. Call your provider if: Your period becomes irregular, especially if it’s sudden or without an obvious cause (like a missed birth control pill)Your periods are less than 21 days apartYou have a period that lasts more than seven daysYou have an unusually heavy or painful periodYou bleed between periodsYou bleed at all after menopause By doing so, you may catch a problem early and start the treatment you need. If there's not a problem, your provider can put your mind at ease and help figure out what you need to do to get your cycle back on track. Tracking Your Period It can be helpful to show your provider a record of when your most recent periods started and stopped. As you track your period, be sure to also note symptoms such as pain, a heavier blood flow, fatigue, weight gain, or fever. This information can help your healthcare provider narrow down the possible causes of your period changes. Summary Shorter menstrual cycles are not necessarily a sign that something is wrong. For some people, they’re normal. However, if you're usually regular and suddenly have two periods in one month—and the cause isn't obvious—talk to your provider. Many things can make your period come more often than usual. Natural hormone fluctuations can cause this, as can missing a birth control pill and lifestyle factors like being overweight or stressed. Having your period twice in one month could also be a sign of a medical condition that needs treatment. 6 Reasons Your Period Is Lighter Than Usual Frequently Asked Questions Do you ovulate if you get your period twice a month? You may not ovulate if you have short menstrual cycles and get two periods in one month. Research has shown that this is particularly true if your cycle is fewer than 25 days. Can I make my period come early? Vitamin C, ginger, and turmeric have been said to have qualities that will induce a period. However, there is no scientific research that proves these or any other natural substances can bring on menstruation. Could you be pregnant if you bleed before your period is due? In about 15% to 20% of pregnancies, spotting results from the fertilized egg attaching to the lining of the uterus (implantation bleeding). The blood flow is usually much lighter than your normal period. What is a normal period? Getting your period every 28 days is considered “normal." However, that’s the average, not the rule. Normal menstrual cycles can actually last anywhere between 21 days and about 35 days. Are irregular periods always a concern? No. Some people always have irregular cycles, very short cycles, or spotting during ovulation. This may be normal for you, but your healthcare provider should determine that. Period Myths Busted 23 Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. 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The relationship between the duration of menstrual bleeding and obesity-related anthropometric indices in students. J Educ Health Promot. 2019;8:81. doi:10.4103/jehp.jehp_24_18 National Women’s Health Network. How does endometriosis affect my menstrual cycle? Endometriosis Foundation. Endometriosis symptoms: abnormal periods. Department of Health and Human Services, Office on Women’s Health. Thyroid disease. Cleveland Clinic. Uterine polyps. Cleveland Clinic. Uterine fibroids. University of Michigan, Michigan Medicine. Symptoms of pelvic infection. Cleveland Clinic. Abnormal menstruation (periods). Cleveland Clinic. Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). Cleveland Clinic. Uterine cancer. University of Pennsylvania Medical School. Irregular periods: Why is my period late? Nemours Foundation. Irregular periods. Wesselink AK, Wise LA, Hatch EE, et al. Menstrual cycle characteristics and fecundability in a North American preconception cohort. Ann Epidemiol. 2016;26(7):482-487.e1. doi:10.1016/j.annepidem.2016.05.006 American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Bleeding during pregnancy. By Denise Witmer Denise Witmer is a freelance writer and mother of three children, who has authored several books and countless articles on parenting teens since 1997. See Our Editorial Process Meet Our Medical Expert Board Share Feedback Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! What is your feedback? Other Helpful Report an Error Submit By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookies Settings Accept All Cookies