Why is My Menstrual Cycle Getting Longer?

Many women keep track of their menstrual cycle because it affects many areas of their lives. Some women have an around-the-clock menstrual cycle, knowing when they have their period or ovulate. Other women, on the other hand, might find themselves approximating their cycle. You can probably tell when your cycle changes no matter which side you fall on. Let’s look at some of the reasons why your cycle may be getting longer. 

Key Takeaways

• The average menstrual cycle lasts between 25 and 31 days
• Variations in your cycle from time to time are quite normal
• Changes in diet and exercise can cause changes in your cycle
• Major changes in your menstrual cycle can signal issues

How Does The Menstrual Cycle Work?

The menstrual cycle starts when you get your period, or when you shed the lining of your uterus.  It includes all the changes your body goes through every month. A typical cycle lasts between 24 and 38 days. It begins on the first day of your period and ends the day before your next period. 

The menstrual cycle has four stages or phases:

1. Menstruation: This phase begins on the first day of your period when your uterus shades its lining and you bleed. This happens when a pregnancy hasn’t occurred. Most women bleed for 3 to 5 days but some go as long as 7 days. 
2. The follicular phase: This phase of the cycle starts when your period ends, overlaps with your period, and ends when you stop ovulating. The levels of estrogen rise, which causes the lining of the uterus to grow and thicken. At the same time, the antral follicles in the ovaries grow until one reaches full maturity. This process lasts 10-14 days. 
3. Ovulation: This phase is known by those who want to conceive and are avoiding getting pregnant. The stage happens on day 14 of your menstrual cycle and the luteinizing hormone (LH) levels increase, causing the mature antral follicle that matured in the follicular phase to rupture releasing the egg inside. 
4. The luteal phase: This phase starts after ovulation ends (day 15) and continues till your next period. It signifies the end of your menstrual cycle and lasts up to 14 days. During this phase, progesterone rises to prepare your uterus for pregnancy. The egg leaves the ovary and travels through the fallopian tube to your uterus for fertilization and conception. If there’s no conception, estrogen and progesterone levels drop and the lining of your uterus sheds signaling the start of your period again.

When Does Menstruation Begin?

Most people begin their menstrual cycle at the average age of 12. However, this isn’t set in stone and some begin their period as early as 8 years old or as late as 16 years old. This is usually accompanied by puberty.

During menopause, which occurs between the ages of 45 and 58 you stop ovulating altogether. Menopause is marked when you haven’t had a period in one year.

What Causes Your Menstrual Cycle to Change?

Changes in your menstrual cycle are normal but any significant changes can indicate an underlying issue. These changes can affect your fertility, but with assisted fertility this can be possible. The compassionate team of healthcare professionals will guide you on better understanding your menstrual cycle as you seek options for treatment.

Let’s look at factors that can influence changes in your menstrual cycle. 

Hormone Imbalance

Hormones are chemical substances that work as messengers and coordinate different functions in the body. Hormonal imbalances happen when one hormone is produced too much or too little. When menstrual cycle hormones decrease or increase, your cycle can be affected. Conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and amenorrhea can lead to longer periods, and irregular periods and may require medical treatment to alleviate symptoms. Some thyroid conditions, diabetes, and Cushing’s Syndrome can all also potentially disrupt an otherwise consistent menstrual cycle.

Age

According to Harvard University research, women under 20 typically have an average menstrual cycle length of 30.3 days compared to 28.7 days for those between the ages of 35 and 39, and 28 days for those in their 40s. Women over 50 saw an increase in their cycle averaging nearly 31 days. 

Stress

We all go through various stressful situations in life. However, excessive stress can affect your menstrual cycle making it irregular and this can be seen in a 2015 study.  In some cases, high levels of stress can affect the production of certain compounds in the brain that suppress hormone production, and this explains why too much stress causes disruptions to an otherwise consistent cycle.

Diet

A healthy diet provides the necessary nutrients needed to better regulate the body. A 2022 study found excessive consumption of junk food can negatively impact the menstrual cycles of women, regardless of their weight at the time of the study. This shows how a poor diet can contribute to an irregular menstrual cycle in many people. A diet that doesn’t provide enough nutrients necessary to produce these hormones can lead to disruptions in menstrual cycles. 

Birth Control

Birth control can limit the body’s ability to produce progestin and estrogen to prevent ovulation or reduce the likelihood of an egg implanting on the uterine wall and causing a pregnancy. Oral contraceptives can also affect how the uterine lining behaves, which can lead to reduced bleeding during periods, spotting in between periods, and longer spaces between periods.

PCOS & Endometriosis

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome is a very common condition where fluid-filled cysts form in the ovaries, creating hormonal changes. Because of this, your eggs may never mature, resulting in irregular ovulation. Someone with PCOS  can also stop menstruating altogether.

Endometriosis happens when endometrial tissue grows outside the uterus, on the ovaries, and fallopian tubes, and even spreads to other organs of the body. Endometriosis can affect your period and cause it to be longer than 7 days. 

When to See a Doctor

Fluctuations in a menstrual cycle can be normal and have cause no reason for alarm. A period that starts a week early or late doesn’t indicate a problem, particularly if it doesn’t happen often. Nevertheless, some symptoms may mean it’s time to see a doctor. Such symptoms include:

• Periods that are consistently longer than 7 days
• Periods consistently accompanied by severe pain
• Periods that are consistently more than two months apart
• Periods that are heavier than normal
• Spotting which consistently occurs between periods
• Menstrual cycles that are consistently shorter than 24 days

Finally

Tracking your menstrual cycle can help you know if and when your cycle is getting longer. If you are concerned about any significant changes in your cycle, it’s important to talk to a healthcare professional. They will be able to check if there’s an underlying issue and offer treatment options.