Anyone who has ever had a period knows that it doesn't always come on time. Sometimes it's late, sometimes it lasts too long, and sometimes it comes early, ruining a pair of perfect white jeans. While slight fluctuations in your cycle are perfectly normal, you may still wonder why your period starts early.
Content Why your period starts early: big changesWhat can speed up your period: you missed your birth control pillWhy your period starts early: stressWhat can speed up your period: puberty or perimenopauseWhy your period starts early: pregnancyWhat can speed up your period: something is happening in your endometriumWhy your period starts early: something is happening in your cervixWhat can speed up your period: you have uterine fibroidsWhy your period starts early: hormonal fluctuationsWhat can speed up your period: thyroid or pituitary problemsWhen to see a doctor
There are many factors that can cause menstrual irregularities, and not all of them are a cause for concern. WomanEL will list the most common ones.
Why menstruation starts early: big changes
Your period can be very sensitive to other changes in your daily life, which can cause it to come early. Have you started taking new medications that disrupt your cycle? Have you lost or gained a lot of weight? Maybe you've made changes to your diet or traveled? According to gynecologist Karen Tang, all of these can throw off your period, making it either early or late.
Medications and supplements are a major culprit. According to Dr. Rachel High, certain medications, such as aspirin, vitamins, or supplements, can cause anticoagulation or blood thinning, which can lead to an early period. As always, talk to your doctor before adding any medications, vitamins, or supplements to your routine and let them know if you notice any changes in your cycle.
What can speed up the arrival of your period: you missed taking the birth control pill
A special note for those taking birth control pills. According to Dr. Keri Peterson, it only takes one pill to disrupt your cycle. So if you've missed a pill from your pack or even taken it at the wrong time, don't be surprised if your period comes early.
Additionally, some medications can react with the pill or affect its absorption, says Dr. Tang. For example, GLP-1, especially tirzepatides, can make birth control pills less effective.
Why menstruation starts early: stress
Stress affects your menstrual cycle, Source: freepik.com
“Stress can increase cortisol levels. And that is thought to affect reproductive hormones, which can disrupt your normal cycle,” says Dr. Peterson.
To get back on track, Dr. Peterson suggests trying to determine if your stress is a result of fatigue, insomnia, and/or anxiety. “Lifestyle changes like regular exercise, getting enough sleep, and meditation can help get your cycle back on track.”
What can speed up the onset of menstruation: puberty or perimenopause
At either end of the reproductive spectrum (i.e., just starting your period or nearing your last period), your cycle can be irregular and unpredictable, says Dr. Tang. After your first period, it can take a few years for your period to become regular as your hormonal system matures. Meanwhile, while perimenopause and menopause are both classified as less frequent periods and then no periods at all, hormonal changes during perimenopause can cause your period to come earlier from time to time.
There's just one important caveat. Perimenopause also comes at an age when conditions like fibroids, polyps, and adenomyosis can develop, which can also cause bleeding. Dr. Tang says you should consult your doctor, especially if you have frequent and early periods accompanied by heavy bleeding or pain.
Why menstruation starts early: pregnancy
It may come as a surprise, but bleeding or spotting during pregnancy, especially in the first trimester, is common. You may see a few drops of blood on your underwear that are not actually menstrual blood at all.
Take a pregnancy test and make an appointment with your doctor to confirm the result if you think there is a possibility of pregnancy.
What can speed up your period: something is happening in your endometrium
According to Dr. Hai, early bleeding can be a sign of polyps, or growths, on the uterus or cervix. While they are often benign, they can also be cancerous. So it's important to talk to your doctor if you regularly experience irregular menstrual bleeding or bleeding between periods. It could also be a sign of adenomyosis. This is a condition in which the endometrium grows into the muscular wall of the uterus, which your doctor can detect with an ultrasound.
Why periods start early: something happens in the cervix
Abnormal bleeding can be a sign of dysplasia (the growth of abnormal and potentially cancerous cells on the cervix), cancerous cysts, polyps, or an infection, such as gonorrhea or chlamydia, especially if you bleed after sex. It's important to talk about abnormal bleeding during your doctor's visit.
What can speed up your period: you have uterine fibroids
Uterine fibroids are noncancerous tumors that can grow inside the uterus. Uterine fibroids can cause very uncomfortable and heavy periods. They can also cause back pain, painful periods, frequent urination, and pain during sex. See your doctor if you experience any of these symptoms.
Treatment may include pain medications, birth control pills, or iron supplements to control bleeding and/or shrink the fibroids. Depending on the severity, surgery may be recommended to remove them.
Why menstruation starts early: hormonal fluctuations
Vaginal bleeding can be a sign of a variety of conditions, including hormonal imbalances. While hormonal imbalances can be difficult to diagnose, seeing a doctor for a complete exam and lab tests can help you figure out the underlying cause. You may also notice early bleeding due to hormonal fluctuations and dry skin as you begin the transition to menopause (which usually occurs between the ages of 45 and 55).
What can speed up the onset of menstruation: problems with the thyroid gland or pituitary gland
Irregular periods can be a sign of hypothyroidism and other endocrine conditions that affect the pituitary gland, such as Cushing's syndrome, in which the body produces too much cortisol. If you're experiencing other symptoms of hypothyroidism in addition to irregular periods, such as fatigue, weight gain, and muscle weakness, talk to your doctor and get a blood test to see if this could be the cause.
When to see a doctor
While period pain is unfortunately now the norm, Dr. Peterson says that if you're experiencing discomfort with your period early, it's not something to take lightly. “If you're experiencing severe abdominal cramps or bleeding that's heavier or longer than usual, it could be a sign of something more serious. You should consult your doctor,” says Dr. Peterson.
Also, since true early menstruation is defined as the onset of menstrual bleeding less than 21 days after the first day of your previous period, you should see a gynecologist if you’ve been diagnosed with metrorrhagia (long periods) or polymenorrhea (frequent periods), says Dr. Hai. “Treatment depends on the specific problem. But it will likely involve an examination and possibly an ultrasound,” she adds.
If your period comes early just a few times a year, you may not have anything to worry about, says Dr. Peterson. “Track your periods for three to four months to see if they’re consistent,” she says. “If you notice that your period is consistently coming early over time, it could be a sign of an underlying health problem.” In that case, you should make an appointment with your doctor.
Is it okay to pee with a tampon in? Find out what experts think about the health implications.