Early menstruation: What Causes Early Period?

Last updated on July 28th, 2018 at 04:52 am

Early period in girls can sometimes be worrying. If you notice your period came much early than normal, then you shouldn’t worry. It may not be pregnancy.

Are you worried your period is a week early? Do you have muscle cramps that are less severe than period cramps? Do you feel you may be pregnant after an unprotected intercourse? Then this article will explain the causes of early period in girls and when it may be due to pregnancy.

What is the normal period in girls?

If you are seeing your period for the first time and you are not sure about what is normal, these are some period facts you should know.

Period is the shredding of the lining covering your womb. This lining is called the endometrium. During each menstrual cycle, you will experience bleeding that comes out of your vagina. The first time your period starts is menarche. When your period finally stops is called menopause.

A normal period in girls last about 2 to 7 days and you may experience cramps or pain in your abdomen.

A normal period may have blood clots sometimes. This is because excessive period blood clots may not be broken down by fibrinolysin.

Between 2 of your menstruation is your menstrual cycle. It is important that you chart your menstrual cycle to know if it’s regular or not.

Within each of your menstrual cycle, it is expected that you will ovulate. Ovulation, which occurs in the middle of your cycle, is the rupture of the most mature follicle with the release of an egg (ovum). When the egg is released, it is pushed into the fallopian tube for fertilization to take place.

During this rupture of the follicles, there may be slight bleeding that sometimes occurs in girls. This bleeding is the cause of brown discharge in women.

After the sperm has fertilized the egg in the fallopian tube, the product (baby) is moved by the ciliary action of the fallopian tube back to the uterus. At the uterus, your baby (fertilized ovum) burrows into the endometrium of the uterus. This process is called implantation and can result in vaginal bleeding or brown discharge.

What is the normal cycle length in women?

Regular menstrual cycle in girls occurs every 21 to 35 days. Women may sometimes get worried when they notice their period occurring twice in one month. However, you shouldn’t. If you have a 21 days menstrual cycle, it simply implies you may see your period twice in some months.

What causes your period to come early?

These are some of the reasons your period is early:

1.  Pregnancy

This is the commonest concern among women with early menstruation. If you notice an early period, then you may be pregnant.

How does this occur? After fertilization and implantation, the slight bleeding that occurs can come out bright pink discharge before your expected period. This usually lasts for a few hours or days with some minor pain. Pink discharge or brown discharge before your period is an early pregnancy sign.

However, there are other early pregnancy symptoms you may notice

• Breast pain and swelling
• feeling tired easily
• Abdominal bloating
• Nausea

Should I get a pregnancy test done? Not yet. Pregnancy test done when you experience implantation bleeding may be inaccurate as HCG levels are low. To get accurate results, you should wait till about 5 to 7 days after implantation bleeding.

2.  Stress or heavy work

If you’ve had a stressful month or weeks, then it’s possible it can affect your hypothalamus in your brain. The hypothalamus produces GnRH which stimulates the pituitary gland to produce other hormones that affect your ovulation and period. Any disruption of this centers will cause an early period.

3.  Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS)

If you have PCOS, then you may experience an early or irregular period. PCOS is an abnormal condition in women that can cause infertility. It’s characterized by

• High levels of androgen
• Abnormal hair distribution in women
• Cystic ovaries when viewed with an ultrasound

Other symptoms of PCOS  are

• Early periods, late period or irregular periods
• Some women may complain of no period at all
• Recurrent miscarriage
• Weight gain or obesity

However, PCOS can be treated to improved fertility in women. If you notice you have these PCOS symptoms, then you should inform your doctor.

Ways to treat PCOS include the use of metformin or weight reduction. Oral contraceptives can be used to regulate periods in women.

4.  Birth control pills

Are you currently taking a pill to prevent pregnancy? Did you miss a day or you did not comply with your prescription? Then it’s possible the reason when your period is early.

Failure to regularly take your pills can get you pregnant or cause spotting in women.

5.  After taking postinor or early morning pills

If you took an emergency contraception after unprotected intercourse, then it may cause early periods.

6.  Vaginal infection in women

Women with pelvic inflammatory disease caused by gonorrhea and chlamydia infection can sometimes have irregular bleeding or spotting during their menstrual cycle. This bleeding is usually lighter than you menstruation with other symptoms like

• Low abdomen pain
• Pain during sexual intercourse
• Pain while urinating
• Abnormal green discharge or yellow discharge from your vagina
• Vaginal itching and pain

If you notice these symptoms, then your early period may be due to an infection. Inform your doctor as vaginal infection can easily be treated with antibiotics.

7.  Cervical polyps or cancer

Cervical polyps are growth that hangs into your cervix. This can cause bleeding in women during intercourse and may be confused with period. Also, women with cancer of the cervix can have vaginal bleeding.

If you are more than 40 years and notice irregular bleeding, then it may not be period. Inform your doctor ASAP as it may be due to endometrial cancer.

Frequently asked questions about early menstruation?

These are some frequently asked questions about an early menstrual period that may concern you. You can let us know if you have further questions.

Is it normal to get your period early?

Yes. Early period could mean you have a short menstrual cycle or maybe due to stress. If you’ve had intercourse without a condom, then it could be due to pregnancy.

What are pregnancy period symptoms?

It’s not possible to have period when pregnant. However, bleeding that occurs in women just before your period is a pregnancy sign. Some other causes why girl spot when pregnant are miscarriage, intercourse and ectopic pregnancy.

Why does my period keep coming early? Is it early menstruation?

If you notice early periods that are regular, then you don’t have to worry. If your period cycle occurs every 21 days, then it’s normal. However, if it occurs before 21 days, then you should let your doctor know. Persistent early menstruation can cause infertility if not treated.

When do girls get their period?

Girls period usually lasts for 2 to 7 days with a normal menstrual flow. It is normal for girls to have their period twice a month. However, if you see your period three times a month, then it’s abnormal. Vaginal infection, fibroids or cervical polyps may be the cause. Inform your doctor early.

Why did I get my period twice in one month?

These are some reasons your period started early or occurred twice in a month:

• You have a short menstrual cycle
• You had very stressful weeks or months
• You’ve taken emergency contraception
• You have vaginal infections
• You forgot your last period date
• Your birth control pill was not taken properly
• You just started a birth control pill
• You have polycystic ovaries

Period two weeks early? What causes 2 weeks early period?

Excessive weight loss, stress and use of emergency contraception can make your period come early. However, during ovulation, some women experience bleeding that come out as brown mucus discharge. This should not be confused with period as it is lighter and clears in a few days.

My period is 4 days early, What to expect?

If your period is four days early, then it’s likely due to implantation. Implantation can cause you to have spotting or slight vaginal bleeding that last for hours or days. You should wait for some days then take a pregnancy test. Other causes like stress, eating disorders, emergency contraception can affect your period too.

Could early period be a sign of pregnancy?

Yes. Early period that comes out as slight spotting or bleeding can be an early pregnancy sign. If you are not sure about your period, then wait a week and run a pregnancy test.

I got my period a week early, what does it mean?

If your period occurs early, then it may be due to non-pregnancy causes like stress or hormonal changes in your body. Early signs of menopause (Perimenopause) can cause an early period too. However, period that occurs a week early is likely due to pregnancy.

Now it’s your turn. Do you have early menstruation? Let us know your symptoms and if we could help.