Why is My Menstrual Cycle Getting Longer?

Normally, menstrual cycles last between 24 and 38 days. Usually there may be slight variations between cycles. However, when there are major disruptions or irregularities in this duration, it can be an indicator of underlying issues such as stress, change in diet, medical conditions or hormone disorders.

If these disruptions persist for several months on end one may require medical intervention. To find out why a cycle might get longer, let us address the potential causes, and learn when the best time is to seek help.

How Long Does a Menstrual Cycle Last?

To be clear, a full menstrual cycle is calculated as the time between the first day of one’s period, and the day just before their next period. For most this duration ranges between 24 and 38 days, with the consistency and duration of each individual’s cycle being impacted by different factors.

There are four phases to a menstrual cycle:

1. Menstruation: This is the actual period, where the uterine lining is shed if a pregnancy has not occurred. The duration between the first and last day of a person’s period on average is three and seven days, but some may have fewer or even more days..
2. The follicular phase: After a period ends, the uterine lining regrows, and at the same time, several small sacs (antral follicles) containing eggs begin to grow on the outside of the ovaries until one follicle reaches full maturity. This phase lasts about two weeks.
3. Ovulation: In this phase, the mature antral follicle ruptures and the egg within  is released. This happens within a day and a half or so.
4. The luteal phase: The newly released egg now travels through the fallopian tube to the uterus. At this time, there is an increase in the hormone levels within the uterus for about two weeks, in preparation to support a healthy pregnancy. If no pregnancy occurs during the luteal phase, the hormone levels gradually decrease until the uterine lining starts to shed once again, marking the start of the next period.

How Does Age Affect Your Menstrual Cycle?

As one gets older, their menstrual cycle also changes. Research found that under the age of 20, people had an average menstrual cycle length of 30.3 days. Those aged between 35 and 39 had a cycle length of 28.7 days on average, and people in their 40s had shorter cycles that were closer to exactly 28 days. Interestingly, the cycle length of people aged over 50 increased, averaging nearly 31 days.

The variance in cycle length also decreased as age increased. People in their 20s had a variance of 5.3 days on average, and those in their 30s had an average variance of 3.8 days. After age 40, this gradually increased, and people over the age of 50 saw a variation of 11.2 days between their cycles on average.

What Causes Your Menstrual Cycle to Change?

As we have seen, small fluctuations in menstrual cycle length are normal and should nor be of any concern. However if these variances fall outside the average range for yout age, or if you experience very inconsistent cycle lengths, it may be an indicator of an underlying issue requiring medical intervention or lifestyle changes, in order to return to a healthy, consistent cycle.

Hormone Imbalance

There are several hormones that are released over the course of a menstrual cycle, and their concentration in the body varies depending on the phase of the cycle. When there are irregularities in the concentration of these hormones, it can cause a person to have can a longer menstrual cycle, even longer periods. 

Conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome, amenorrhea, thyroid conditions, diabetes, and Cushing’s Syndrome can lead to irregularities in periods and may require medical treatment to alleviate symptoms.

Perimenopause

As a person gets older, their ovarian reserve begins to deplete, and they shift from having a regular period to having no period at all. This process is transitionary, and can take anywhere between several months to several years, and is called Perimenopause. 

When a person is in perimenopause, there is a decline in the production of estrogen, making ovulation less consistent and causing more apparent irregularities in the menstrual cycle. Perimenopause can often  be marked by other symptoms such as hot flashes, mood changes, and increases in vaginal or bladder infections. Once regular periods stop, a person goes into menopause. 

Diet

An irregular menstrual cycle can also be caused by a poor diet; one that lacks enough of the necessary nutrients required to produce the hormones that regulate a healthy menstrual cycle. A study found that the excessive consumption of junk food can negatively impact the menstrual cycles of women, regardless of their weight.

Stress

High stress levels produce certain compounds in the brain that suppress healthy hormone production, causing disruptions in an otherwise consistent cycle. According to a study published in 2015, too much stress has a direct effect on menstrual cycle consistency, both in the short and in the long term,  but does not necessarily affect the actual flow or the duration of the periods themselves.

Birth Control

Oral contraceptives tend to limit the body’s production of both progestin and estrogen. This is by design, in order to prevent ovulation and reduce the likelihood of a fertilized egg implanting itself on the uterine wall, causing a pregnancy. These medications affect how the uterine lining behaves, and can lead to less bleeding during periods, spotting between periods, and more time between periods.

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a condition that is quite common, affecting between 8 and 13 percent of women in their reproductive years, according to the World Health Organization. When a person has PCOS, many tiny cysts develop on the ovaries where follicles should have otherwise developed. These cysts inhibit normal ovulation and if untreated, cause a number of health conditions, leading to a dramatic decline in the frequency of periods.

When to See a Doctor

Small fluctuations in a menstrual cycle, or a period starting an entire week early or late are not necessarily indicators of a problem, if they do not occur frequently. However, gazet in touch with a professional healthcare provider if you experience any of these symptoms:

• Cycles that are shorter than 24 days, consistently 
• Periods lasting more than 7 days, consistently
• Periods always accompanied by severe pain  
• Periods that are more than two months apart regularly
• Spotting that is consistently  occurring between periods
• Heavy bleeding that requires a new pad or tampon every hour

If you have more questions about your menstrual cycle or are seeking options for treatment contact Nevada Center For Reproductive Medicine. Our team of healthcare professionals is happy to assist you.