If you are used to having a regular 28-day menstrual cycle, you might be surprised or worried if it suddenly changes to 31 days.
What does this mean for your health and fertility? Is it normal or a sign of a problem?
In this blog post, we will explore some of the possible reasons for a menstrual cycle change and when you should seek medical advice.
Why Did My Cycle Change from 28 to 31 Days?
There are many factors that can affect your menstrual cycle, such as hormones, stress, lifestyle, medical conditions, and age. A slight change in your cycle length from month to month is not usually a cause for concern, as long as it stays within the normal range of 21 to 35 days.
However, if your cycle becomes consistently irregular, very long or short, or absent, you should consult your doctor to rule out any underlying issues.
I have created a table chart for the possible causes of your cycle change from 28 to 31 days. Here it is:
Cause | Symptoms | Treatment |
---|---|---|
Pregnancy | Missed period, spotting, morning sickness, nausea, sensitivity to smells, breast tingling or tenderness, fatigue | Consult a doctor for prenatal care and testing |
Hormonal birth control | Irregular bleeding, spotting, lighter or heavier bleeding | Consult a doctor if bleeding is bothersome or you want to switch methods |
Breastfeeding | No periods or irregular periods | No treatment needed; periods will return when breastfeeding less frequently or stops |
Perimenopause | Irregular periods, varying time between periods, skipping periods, heavier or lighter blood flow or cramping, hot flashes, sleep disturbances, mood changes, vaginal dryness, lower libido | No treatment needed unless symptoms are bothersome; consult a doctor for hormone therapy or other options |
Stress | Irregular periods, missed periods, heavier or lighter periods | Reduce stress by practicing relaxation techniques, getting enough sleep, exercising regularly, seeking social support |
PCOS | Irregular periods, missed periods, excess hair growth on face and body, acne, weight gain, infertility | Consult a doctor for diagnosis and treatment; medication, lifestyle changes, and surgery may help |
Thyroid | Irregular periods, missed periods, heavier or lighter periods, weight changes, fatigue, hair loss, mood swings | Consult a doctor for diagnosis and treatment; medication can help regulate thyroid function |
Fibroids | Irregular periods, heavy bleeding, pelvic pain or pressure, frequent urination, constipation | Consult a doctor for diagnosis and treatment; medication, surgery, or other procedures may help |
Endometriosis | Irregular periods, heavy bleeding, painful periods or intercourse, infertility | Consult a doctor for diagnosis and treatment; medication, surgery, or other procedures may help |
Underweight | Irregular periods, missed periods | Gain weight by eating a balanced diet and increasing calorie intake |
Exercise | Irregular periods, missed periods | Reduce the intensity or frequency of exercise; consult a doctor if you are an athlete or have an eating disorder |
Medication | Irregular periods, missed periods, spotting | Consult a doctor about the side effects of your medication and possible alternatives |
Cancer | Irregular periods, abnormal bleeding or discharge from the vagina | Consult a doctor for diagnosis and treatment; surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy may help |
12 Common Reasons for a Menstrual Cycle Change
Here are some of the most common reasons for a menstrual cycle change:
Pregnancy:
One of the first signs of pregnancy is a missed period or a lighter than usual bleeding.
If you are sexually active and have a change in your cycle, you might want to take a pregnancy test or see your doctor to confirm.
Hormonal contraception:
If you are using hormonal birth control methods, such as pills, patches, implants, or intrauterine devices (IUDs), they can affect your cycle by suppressing ovulation and altering the hormonal balance in your body.
Some of these methods can make your periods lighter, shorter, or less frequent, while others can cause irregular bleeding or spotting.
Breastfeeding:
Breastfeeding can also suppress ovulation and affect your cycle. If you are exclusively and frequently breastfeeding your baby, you might not get your period for several months after giving birth. This is called lactational amenorrhea and it is not harmful.
However, breastfeeding is not a reliable method of contraception, so you should use another form of birth control if you do not want to get pregnant again.
Perimenopause:
Perimenopause is the transition period before menopause, when your ovaries gradually produce less estrogen and progesterone.
This can cause changes in your cycle length, frequency, and flow. You might experience shorter or longer cycles, heavier or lighter periods, or skipped periods.
Perimenopause usually starts in your 40s and lasts until menopause, which is when you have no periods for 12 consecutive months.
Stress:
Stress can affect your hormones and interfere with your cycle. When you are stressed, your body produces more cortisol, which can inhibit the production of estrogen and progesterone.
This can delay or prevent ovulation and cause irregular periods. Stress can also affect other aspects of your health, such as sleep quality, appetite, mood, and immunity.
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS):
PCOS is a common hormonal disorder that affects up to 10% of women of reproductive age.
It causes multiple cysts to grow on the ovaries and disrupts the normal ovulation process.
Women with PCOS often have high levels of androgens (male hormones) and insulin resistance.
This can lead to irregular periods, weight gain, acne, excess hair growth, infertility, and other complications.
Endometriosis:
Endometriosis is a condition where the endometrial tissue that normally lines the uterus grows outside of it, such as on the ovaries, fallopian tubes, bladder, or bowel.
This tissue responds to hormonal changes and bleeds during menstruation. However, since it has no way to exit the body, it causes inflammation, pain, scarring, and adhesions.
Endometriosis can also affect your cycle by causing heavy bleeding, clots, cramps, bloating, and infertility.
Anovulation:
Anovulation is when you do not ovulate during your cycle. This can happen occasionally due to stress, illness, travel, or other factors.
However, if it happens frequently, it can cause irregular periods or amenorrhea (absence of periods).
Anovulation can also make it harder to get pregnant, since there is no egg released for fertilization.
Thyroid issues:
Your thyroid gland produces hormones that regulate your metabolism, growth, and development.
If your thyroid is underactive (hypothyroidism) or overactive (hyperthyroidism), it can affect your menstrual cycle by altering the levels of estrogen and progesterone in your body.
Thyroid issues can cause irregular periods, heavy bleeding, spotting, or amenorrhea.
They can also cause other symptoms, such as fatigue, weight changes, mood swings, and hair loss.
Fibroids:
Fibroids are benign (non-cancerous) tumors that grow in the muscle layer of the uterus. They can vary in size, number, and location.
Fibroids can affect your cycle by causing heavy bleeding, clots, pain, pressure, and infertility.
They can also increase the risk of miscarriage or preterm labor if they are large or interfere with the implantation of the embryo.
Underweight or overweight:
Your body weight can also influence your cycle by affecting your hormone levels and ovulation.
If you are underweight or have an eating disorder, you might not have enough body fat to produce enough estrogen and progesterone.
This can cause irregular periods or amenorrhea. If you are overweight or obese, you might have excess body fat that produces too much estrogen and androgens.
This can cause irregular periods, heavy bleeding, PCOS, or insulin resistance.
Exercise:
Exercise is good for your health and well-being, but too much or too little can also affect your cycle.
If you exercise excessively or intensely, you might burn more calories than you consume and create a negative energy balance.
This can lower your body fat and hormone levels and cause irregular periods or amenorrhea.
If you exercise too little or are sedentary, you might gain weight and increase your body fat and hormone levels. This can cause irregular periods, heavy bleeding, or PCOS.
When Should You Be Concerned?
As you can see, there are many reasons why your cycle might change from 28 to 31 days, or any other variation.
Most of these changes are normal and harmless, and do not require any medical intervention.
However, there are some situations where you should be concerned and seek medical advice. Here are some of them:
Inconsistency over several months:
If your cycle changes every month and becomes unpredictable, it might indicate a hormonal imbalance or an underlying condition that needs treatment.
You should keep track of your cycle length, flow, and symptoms, and see your doctor if they persist for more than three months.
Accompanying symptoms:
If your cycle change is accompanied by other symptoms, such as severe pain, heavy bleeding, fever, infection, or infertility, it might signal a serious problem that needs immediate attention.
You should not ignore these symptoms and consult your doctor as soon as possible.
Absence of menstruation:
If you do not get your period for more than three months (or six months if you are over 40), and you are not pregnant, breastfeeding, or menopausal, it might indicate a condition called amenorrhea.
Amenorrhea can have various causes, such as hormonal disorders, ovarian failure, pituitary tumors, or structural abnormalities.
It can also increase the risk of osteoporosis, heart disease, and diabetes. You should see your doctor to find out the cause and treatment of your amenorrhea.
Dramatic shifts in cycle length:
If your cycle suddenly becomes much shorter (less than 21 days) or much longer (more than 35 days), it might indicate a problem with your ovulation or endometrial lining.
This can affect your fertility and increase the risk of endometrial cancer. You should see your doctor to check your hormone levels and rule out any abnormalities.
If birth control is a factor:
If you are using hormonal birth control methods, such as pills, patches, implants, or IUDs, they can affect your cycle by suppressing ovulation and altering the hormonal balance in your body.
Some of these methods can make your periods lighter, shorter, or less frequent, while others can cause irregular bleeding or spotting.
These changes are usually normal and expected, but if they bother you or interfere with your quality of life, you might want to switch to a different method or use non-hormonal alternatives.
You should also see your doctor if you experience any side effects from your birth control method, such as headaches, nausea, breast tenderness, mood changes, or blood clots.
If fertility is a concern:
If you are trying to conceive or plan to do so in the future, you might want to pay attention to your cycle changes and how they affect your ovulation and fertility window.
A regular cycle indicates a healthy ovulation process and increases your chances of getting pregnant.
An irregular cycle might make it harder to predict when you ovulate and when you are most fertile.
You might want to use ovulation tests or fertility monitors to track your ovulation and time intercourse accordingly.
You should also see your doctor if you have been trying to conceive for more than a year (or six months if you are over 35) without success.
Diagnostic Tests and Treatments
Diagnostic Tests
If you are concerned about your cycle changes and want to find out the cause and treatment, you should see your doctor for a proper diagnosis.
Your doctor might perform some of the following tests and treatments:
Blood tests for hormone levels:
Your doctor might check your levels of estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, thyroid hormones, prolactin, and other hormones that affect your cycle.
This can help identify any hormonal imbalances or disorders that might be causing your cycle changes.
Ultrasound scans:
Your doctor might use an ultrasound device to examine your uterus, ovaries, and fallopian tubes.
This can help detect any abnormalities, such as cysts, fibroids, endometriosis, or polyps, that might be affecting your cycle.
Treatment options:
Depending on the cause and severity of your cycle changes, your doctor might prescribe some of the following treatment options:
Hormonal medications:
Your doctor might prescribe hormonal pills, patches, injections, or implants to regulate your cycle and restore the hormonal balance in your body.
These medications can also help reduce the symptoms of PCOS, endometriosis, fibroids, or perimenopause.
Non-hormonal medications:
Your doctor might prescribe non-hormonal medications, such as anti-inflammatories, painkillers, or antibiotics, to treat the underlying conditions or infections that might be causing your cycle changes.
Surgery:
Your doctor might recommend surgery to remove or treat any abnormal growths or structures that might be affecting your cycle, such as cysts, fibroids, endometriosis, or polyps. Surgery can also help restore fertility in some cases.
Lifestyle changes:
Your doctor might advise you to make some lifestyle changes to improve your cycle and overall health.
These changes might include eating a balanced diet, exercising regularly, managing stress, quitting smoking, limiting alcohol and caffeine intake, and maintaining a healthy weight.
Can lifestyle changes revert my cycle to its original pattern?
In some cases, yes, lifestyle changes can help revert your cycle to its original pattern or make it more regular.
For example, if your cycle changes are caused by stress, weight fluctuations, or poor diet, you might be able to improve your cycle by managing stress, eating a balanced diet, exercising regularly, and maintaining a healthy weight.
However, if your cycle changes are caused by other factors, such as medical conditions, hormonal contraception, or age, you might need other treatments or interventions to restore your cycle.
How does age impact the menstrual cycle?
Age can have a significant impact on the menstrual cycle. As you get older, your ovaries produce less estrogen and progesterone and ovulate less frequently.
This can cause changes in your cycle length, frequency, and flow. You might experience shorter or longer cycles, heavier or lighter periods, or skipped periods.
These changes are more noticeable in your 40s, when you enter perimenopause, the transition period before menopause.
Menopause is when you have no periods for 12 consecutive months and marks the end of your reproductive years.
FAQs About Menstrual Cycle Changes
Is it normal for the menstrual cycle to change?
Yes, it is normal for the menstrual cycle to change slightly from month to month or over time. This is because the cycle is influenced by many factors, such as hormones, stress, lifestyle, medical conditions, and age.
What is considered an irregular cycle?
An irregular cycle is when your cycle length varies by more than seven days from month to month or becomes unpredictable. For example, if your cycle is usually 28 days long but sometimes it is 21 days and sometimes it is 35 days. An irregular cycle can indicate a problem with your ovulation or hormonal balance and can affect your fertility and health.
Should I consult a doctor if my cycle changes?
It depends on the type and extent of your cycle changes. If your cycle changes are slight and occasional, and do not cause any discomfort or distress, you do not need to see a doctor. However, if your cycle changes are consistent and severe, and cause other symptoms or problems, you should see a doctor for a proper diagnosis and treatment.
Conclusion
Your menstrual cycle can change from 28 to 31 days or any other variation due to many factors, such as hormones, stress, lifestyle, medical conditions, and age.
Most of these changes are normal and harmless, and do not require any medical intervention.
However, some of these changes can indicate a serious problem that needs attention and treatment.
You should keep track of your cycle length, flow, and symptoms, and see your doctor if you are concerned about your cycle changes or have any questions.