Why is My Menstrual Cycle Getting Longer?

Menstrual cycles vary from one individual to another and sometimes individuals experience slight variations within their own cycles. When major disruptions or irregularities occur it is usually caused by life changes like stress, change in diet, medical conditions or hormonal disorders.

If the disruptions are persistent and prolonged however, medical intervention may be required to resolve the issue. Let us look into what causes longer cycles, assess the potential causes, as well, know when to seek help.

How Long Does a Menstrual Cycle Last?

Before we begin, a menstrual cycle is the number of days from the first day of one’s period, to the day just before the next period. This duration ranges between 24 and 38 days for most people.

A menstrual cycle has four stages. Let is begin with the actual period:

1. Menstruation is another term for the actual period. A period occurs when the thickened uterine lining is shed if pregnancy has not occurred. The length of a period is usually between three and seven days, but some people could have it for fewer or even more days.
2. The follicular phase comes next. During this time a couple of things occur simultaneously. The first is that the uterine lining begins to regrows. The second is that several small sacs containing eggs begin to grow on the outside of the ovaries. These are also known as antral follicles and they grow until one follicle reaches full maturity. The follicular phase lasts about two weeks.
3. Ovulation is the next stage in which the mature antral follicle ruptures and the egg within it  is released. This process takes about a day and a half, and it is during this stage that a pregnancy can occur.
4. The luteal phase is the duration in which the egg makes its way toward the uterus through the fallopian tube. In anticipation of pregnancy, several hormones within the uterus increase and remain elevated for about two weeks. If no pregnancy occurs the hormone levels gradually decrease until the uterine lining starts to shed, marking the beginning of the next period.

How Does Age Affect Your Menstrual Cycle?

A menstrual cycle changes with age as a result of the changes in the production of hormones. It has been observed that people aged 20 and below have a menstrual cycle length averaging 30.3 days. Between ages 35 and 39, the cycle length averages about 28.7 days. In the 40s, menstrual cycles last closer to an exact 28 days, and when individuals are over 50, this average increases to nearly 31 days.

Again, the average variance in cycle length has been observed to decrease with age. So those in their 20s have a variance of 5.3 days,and in their 30s this variance is 3.8 days. Past the age of 40, this turns around and begins to gradually increase, so that by the 50s, this variance is 11.2 days between cycles.

What Causes Your Menstrual Cycle to Change?

There are several factors that could cause significant changes in a menstrual cycle:

Hormone Imbalance

The hormones released over the course of a menstrual cycle vary in concentration within the body depending on the phase of the cycle one is on. Irregularities in hormonal concentration can cause a person to have a longer cycle, or longer periods. 

Some conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome, amenorrhea, thyroid conditions, diabetes, and Cushing’s Syndrome create hormonal imbalances which lead to irregularities in periods and often require medical intervention.

Perimenopause

The depletion of the ovarian reserve as a person grows older causes a shift from having a regular period to having none at all. It is a process that can take several months up to several years. It is called Perimenopause. 

In perimenopause, a decline in the production of estrogen causes ovulation to become less consistent, bringing about more apparent irregularities in a menstrual cycle. Other symptoms that are characteristic of perimenopause are hot flashes, mood changes, and increased vaginal or bladder infections. However, eventually when regular periods stop occurring a person is said to be in menopause. 

Diet

Another cause of irregular menstrual cycles is a poor diet, one that lacks the necessary nutrients needed to produce the hormones that regulate a healthy menstrual cycle. For example, it has been discovered that excessive consumption of junk food negatively impacts a menstrual cycle, even if the individual's weight is within a healthy range.

Stress

High stress produces compounds in the brain that suppress healthy hormone production which disrupt consistent cycles. It was discovered that too much stress affects the consistency of menstrual cycles in the short term as well as in the long term, even if the flow itself and the duration of the periods are not necessarily affected.

Birth Control

By design, oral contraceptives limit the body’s production of both progestin and estrogen, in order to prevent ovulation thus reducing the likelihood of a pregnancy. Because these medications are designed to manipulate how the uterine lining behaves, it could result in less bleeding during periods, spotting between periods, or increased time between periods.

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a condition that impacts about 8 to 13 percent of women in their reproductive years. PCOS causes many tiny cysts to develop on the ovaries where healthy follicles should develop. If untreated, the cysts prevent normal ovulation and could result in a number of health conditions that would cause a dramatic decline in the frequency of periods.

When to See a Doctor

Small fluctuations in a menstrual cycle do not necessarily indicate a problem, if they are not frequent. However, if you experience any of these symptoms, it is advisable to see the relevant professional healthcare provider:

• A cycle that is consistently shorter than 24 days.
• A period consistently lasting more than 7 days.
• A period accompanied by severe pain consistently
• Periods that are regularly more than two months apart
• Spotting regularly occurring between periods
• Excessive or heavy bleeding that requires a fresh pad or tampon every hour

In Conclusion

Small fluctuations in menstrual cycles are normal. Variances falling outside the average range for your age, very inconsistent cycle lengths, or unusual periods could be pointing to underlying issues. Medical intervention or even lifestyle changes could restore the cycle back to health.

If you have more questions about your menstrual cycle or are seeking options for treatment contact Reproductive Partners Medical Group. Our team of healthcare professionals is happy to assist you.