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What is a Short Menstrual Period?

Dulce Corazon
Dulce Corazon

The usual interval between menstrual cycles generally ranges between 21 to 45 days, with the majority of women having an average cycle of 28 days. Menstrual periods can occur between two days to sometimes more than seven days, the average being 3 to 4 days in most women. It usually can be considered a short menstrual period when the menstrual bleeding lasts less than two days, or when the time interval between cycles is less than 21 days. The term eumenorrhea is technically used to denote a regular menstrual cycle.

Menstruation usually starts during puberty, at around the age of 12, although it can start as early as eight years old and as late as 16 years old. It generally is nature's way of preparing the body of a girl for pregnancy. The very first menstrual bleeding that occurs technically is termed menarche. During the first year after menarche, menstrual periods mostly are irregular. Some girls experience short menstrual periods, and at other times they may have longer menstrual periods.

A short menstrual period is bleeding of less than two days or a cycle of less than 21.
A short menstrual period is bleeding of less than two days or a cycle of less than 21.

The menstrual cycle is mostly influenced by the functions of hormones in the female body. A short menstrual period or a long menstrual period often depends on the amount of hormones present during each cycle. Menstrual cycles are divided into numerous phases: the menstrual phase, the follicular phase, ovulation, and the secretory phase or luteal phase. The menstrual phase starts on the first day of menstrual bleeding which often lasts for four days. Amount of blood loss is between 0.8 ounces (about 25 ml) to 2.5 ounces (about 75 ml) with an average of 1.35 ounces (40 ml) during each period.

A normal menstrual period ranges from 21 to 40 days, with an average of 28 days.
A normal menstrual period ranges from 21 to 40 days, with an average of 28 days.

After the last day of menstrual bleeding, the follicular phase usually follows. During the follicular phase, the ovary which contains approximately 450,000 follicles at birth, is influenced by the follicular stimulating hormone (FSH) to ripen some eggs. At the same time the female hormone estrogen also rises and technically influences the lining of the uterus, or endometrium, to initiate the thickening process in preparation for pregnancy.

The menstrual cycle is mostly influenced by the function of hormones in the female body.
The menstrual cycle is mostly influenced by the function of hormones in the female body.

At approximately the fourteenth day, counting from the first day of menstruation, ovulation occurs. This mostly signals the release of a mature egg from the ovary with the influence of a hormone called luteinizing hormone (LH). Another hormone, called progesterone, also rises to make the endometrium technically ready for the implantation of a fertilized egg. When the egg is fertilized by the sperm, pregnancy occurs and no menstruation generally happens during the next nine months.

Excessive exercise may cause an irregular or short menstrual period.
Excessive exercise may cause an irregular or short menstrual period.

The secretory phase often follows the ovulation period when no fertilization takes place, lasting approximately 10 to 16 days. This largely is influenced by the decline of the hormone progesterone. At the end of the secretory phase, the endometrium sheds off to start the first day of menstruation and of another menstrual cycle.

A woman's reproductive years mostly last until about the age of 45. The complete cessation of menstruation is commonly called menopause. Many changes often occur before menopause. Some women experience irregular cycles, sometimes having long or short menstrual period, and sometimes with light and heavy flow.

Discussion Comments

elizabeth23

I suffer from endometriosis, which causes me to have irregular and often very heavy and painful menstrual periods. Because of this, sometimes I have longer cycles and sometimes they are much shorter. If this describes you, I would recommend going to your doctor, and first a regular doctor rather than a gynecologist; there might be a minor problem, or something seriously wrong with your body. Either way, go to a doctor you know you trust first.

I have gone to regular doctors and also to gynecologists about my problems, and the gynecologists tend, in my experience, to be very condescending to a woman in her early 20s, to the extent that I cannot get the removal of my uterus yet which even they admit is the only true, possibly final solution to my problem.

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    • A short menstrual period is bleeding of less than two days or a cycle of less than 21.
      By: designua
      A short menstrual period is bleeding of less than two days or a cycle of less than 21.
    • A normal menstrual period ranges from 21 to 40 days, with an average of 28 days.
      By: reineg
      A normal menstrual period ranges from 21 to 40 days, with an average of 28 days.
    • The menstrual cycle is mostly influenced by the function of hormones in the female body.
      By: picsfive
      The menstrual cycle is mostly influenced by the function of hormones in the female body.
    • Excessive exercise may cause an irregular or short menstrual period.
      By: stuchin
      Excessive exercise may cause an irregular or short menstrual period.
    • An woman with an eating disorder may experience irregular periods.
      By: Sylvie Bouchard
      An woman with an eating disorder may experience irregular periods.
    • Most girls start to menstruate between the age of 10 and 15 years old.
      By: Maya Kruchancova
      Most girls start to menstruate between the age of 10 and 15 years old.
    • Many menstrual changes occur before menopause, such as irregular cycles that are very short or very long.
      By: matka_Wariatka
      Many menstrual changes occur before menopause, such as irregular cycles that are very short or very long.