Have your periods been shorter than usual over the past few months? Don't panic just yet. There are several possible causes for a shorter-than-usual menstrual cycle, ranging from eating disorders to the effects of certain diseases.
Each woman's menstrual period can be different, but normally menstruation occurs for 3-7 days in a 21-35 day menstrual cycle. Even though your menstrual cycle is only three days and seems short, it can still be considered normal as long as your periods occur regularly.
Natural Causes of Shorter Menstruation
Naturally short menstrual periods can indeed occur at certain times of a woman's life. Short menstrual periods, which are about 3 days, are usually more experienced by teenagers and the elderly who are approaching menopause.
This can occur due to the influence of hormonal imbalances in the body. In adolescents, an imbalance of the hormone estrogen can make menstruation short and irregular.
While in the elderly, this condition can be triggered by the cessation of the production of the hormones estrogen and progesterone, making menstruation short and irregular.
Various Causes That Can Affect Menstruation
Short menstrual periods can also be triggered by several things. Here are some of them:
1. Use of contraceptives
The use of hormonal contraceptives such as birth control pills, injectable contraceptives, and implants can directly affect your menstrual cycle, which can be shorter or irregular.
When you change the type of contraceptive used, this complaint may also appear for several months until the body can adapt to the new type of contraceptive used.
2. Suffering stress
Stress can affect the body's ability to produce hormones that can affect your menstrual period.
3. Excess exercise
Excess exercise can make the body burn more calories than the calories consumed. In the long term, this condition can affect hormone levels, causing shortened menstrual periods.
4. Changes in weight drastically
Drastic weight gain or loss can disrupt the hormonal balance which can have an impact on the menstrual cycle.
5. Changes in diet
In addition to weight changes, dietary changes also contribute to your menstrual cycle. For example, suddenly you avoid or stop eating calorie foods, then the production of hormones in the body will also be affected and can make menstrual periods change.
If you consume excessive amounts of caffeine too, your menstrual cycle can become shorter.
6. Taking certain drugs
Some medications, especially those that are harsh, hormonal, or long-term, can affect hormone levels and menstrual periods.
7. Ectopic pregnancy
An ectopic pregnancy can cause brief bleeding that may be mistaken for menstruation. This condition occurs because the fetus will grow outside the uterus.
8. Ovarian cyst
An ovarian cyst is a fluid-filled sac that forms in the uterus. Although not cancerous, in addition to being painful, these cysts can cause bleeding that is often mistaken for menstruation.
9. Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS)
PCOS makes the body produce more androgen hormones so that menstrual periods become more irregular.
10. Thyroid disorders
Thyroid disorders can cause the body to produce too little or too much thyroid hormone. As a result, menstrual cycles can become irregular or shorter.
11. Other trigger factors
Several studies have shown that short menstrual periods can also indicate decreased fertility levels.
In addition, another possible cause of shorter but less frequent menstrual periods is premature ovarian failure or premature ovarian failure (POF), Asherman's syndrome, disorders of the cervix (cervix), to Sheehan's syndrome.
You don't need to worry too much if your menstrual period has been short since the beginning of your period or occurs regularly. On the other hand, if your menstrual period suddenly changes to short or there are no periods at all for a long time, it's a good idea to consult a doctor immediately.
For example, if after 2 months there is no menstruation, then there are spotting for only a few days, then you are recommended to consult this to a doctor.
To find out your menstrual cycle, you should record the menstrual period you experience each month. So, if there are changes, you can immediately find out, and you can immediately consult a doctor to find out the cause and proper treatment.
