The topic of the female menstrual cycle is fraught with many prejudices and preconceived notions. The most obvious one concerns the so-called normal length of a cycle. According to popular culture, menstruation has a fixed duration of 28 days. However, upon closer inspection, it becomes clear that this number is not a universal value. Sisters Republic zooms in on the topic of short menstrual cycles .
Definition
a) Short cycle vs. normal cycle
The length of a menstrual cycle can vary from woman to woman. So you don't have to worry if your cycle is longer or shorter, as long as certain limits are maintained. In fact, experts agree that a menstrual cycle can last between 21 and 35 days. This will probably reassure some of you.
According to this "norm" a short cycle is therefore less than 28 days. However, this phenomenon is not necessarily a sign of a malfunction; it occurs relatively frequently. In fact, there is not necessarily cause for concern if your cycle lasts 21 days or longer. However, if your period lasts less than 21 days from the first day of your last period to the first day of the next period, you shouldseek medical advice. In this case, it is referred to aspolymenorrhea.
b) Short menstrual cycle and fertility
One of the biggest problems that women with short cycles may face is that of fertility. The length of the cycle can affect a woman's fertility. First of all, it is important to distinguish between menstrual bleeding and possible intermenstrual bleeding, the so-called metrorrhagia. They are easy to recognize, as they occur without further symptoms, unlike menstruation. If this is ruled out and you still have a short cycle, it needs to be analyzed which part of your cycle is affected.
If the first phase, namely the follicular phase or pre-ovulatory phase, is the shorter one, it usually has little impact on fertility unless ovulation does not occur. However, if this is the case for the luteal phase or post-ovulatory phase, it may indicate insufficient progesterone production. The egg then has no chance of implanting in the uterus, leading to fertility problems.
Short Cycles: Causes and Consequences
a) When do we need to worry?
"If you are concerned about your short cycles, a visit to the doctor may be necessary to receive consistent and relevant professional advice. However, the most obvious indicator relates to unusually short cycles, i.e., cycles that are shorter than 21 days. These cycle disturbances may indicate difficulties with ovulation or even a complete absence of ovulation. This is one of the most common causes of female infertility. Therefore, special attention should be paid to this indicator."
It is not necessary to go to the doctor right away after the first short cycle. It could very well be a temporary disruption of your menstrual cycle, which may regulate itself in the following months. It is best to wait before going to the gynecologist to see if the phenomenon occurs over several cycles. This advice is especially relevant for young women or girls in their teenage years during puberty, as they often find themselves in the period when the first menstruation begins. However, nothing beats professional advice. If you have greater concerns, you should feel free to consult your doctor, who can reassure you with their expertise. For the first period in young women, the absorbent menstrual underwear is the safest and most comfortable option, as it not only serves as hygiene protection but also provides elegant and discreet underwear for everyday wear.
b) Possible causes of short menstrual cycles
"Even if a short cycle is not always attributable to a specific condition, various syndromes may be underlying. However, your doctor is likely the one who can determine this most accurately."
The most common causes include:
- Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. This phenomenon is characterized by the production of large amounts of male hormones, the androgens. In the worst case, this syndrome can lead to the complete absence of ovulation and thus to infertility.
- Withoutovaries your body is naturally unable to induce ovulation.
- Hyperprolactinemia. In this disorder, the milk-producing hormones are particularly active. This is one of the most common causes of infertility in women.
- A fibroma, i.e. a benign tumor that is well known to gynecologists.
- A disorder of the ovaries that can also be caused by a genetic inheritance.
The situations we present to you here are of course just examples. Ask your gynecologist to find out what is causing your short cycle. He is able to conduct a thorough analysis in case of doubt.
Treatments and Solutions
"Regardless of the cause of your short cycle, there are both solutions to determine what is going wrong and treatment options to stop most symptoms of a patient. As already mentioned, understanding your cycle is crucial. One of the first things you need to check is whether you are ovulating during your cycles. For this, you can use an ovulation test in combination with a temperature chart. This way, you can measure and analyze your body temperature throughout the entire cycle. A normal curve and a positive ovulation test will give you insight into your fertility and thus into the proper functioning of your reproductive system, despite a short cycle."
Furthermore, you can in some cases, if you suffer from a pathology or one of the aforementioned diseases, resolve the issue of short cycles through appropriate treatment. In the case of a fibroid , a surgical intervention may be necessary. In many other cases, hormone therapy may be prescribed to regulate the hormonal system.
A short menstrual cycle is not necessarily problematic one way or another. If it is a specific illness, your gynecologist can prescribe an appropriate treatment. And don't worry: In most cases, short cycles are completely unproblematic.
