How Many days of Menstruation is Normal?

November 18, 2022By Nona Woman

Menstruation is a natural process experienced by women every month. Every woman has a unique menstrual cycle, although the differences may be small. However, how do we know whether the menstrual cycle is normal or not? Find the complete answer in this article!

Difference between Normal and Abnormal Menstruation

A normal menstrual cycle is generally 28 days with a menstrual period of 7 – 8 days. Typically, a normal menstrual cycle lasts between 24 to 38 days. Menstrual cycles often change with age. In teenagers who experience early puberty will experience a menstrual cycle longer than 38 days, this is a common occurrence. In your 20s, your menstrual cycle will return to normal.

In contrast to a normal menstrual cycle, an abnormal or irregular menstrual cycle is characterized by a menstrual period of less than 24 days or more than 38 days. This can be experienced by women who enter fase perimenopause. During the perimenopausal phase transition, the menstrual cycle will change frequently and irregularly. This is characterized by menstrual periods that stop for a month or several months, until menstruation finally returns. The menstrual period will also change, it could be faster or longer than usual.

The difference between normal and abnormal menstruation can affect a woman's overall reproductive health. Abnormal menstruation can be an indicator of a more serious health problem, such as hormone disorders, thyroid problems, or other medical conditions. Therefore, it is important to always monitor the menstrual cycle and immediately consult a doctor if there are significant changes.

Apart from that, lifestyle and external factors can also influence the menstrual cycle. Stress, drastic weight changes, and an unbalanced diet can cause menstrual irregularities. Adopting a healthy lifestyle with a balanced diet, regular exercise, and managing stress can help maintain a normal menstrual cycle.

In some cases, hormone therapy or medical treatment may be necessary to treat abnormal menstrual cycles. Consultation with a gynecologist is highly recommended to get the right diagnosis and appropriate treatment.

By understanding the difference between normal and abnormal menstruation, women can be more proactive in maintaining their reproductive health. It is important to always monitor and record your menstrual cycle and not hesitate to seek medical help if necessary.

Download the free menstrual tracker app by Nona Woman to know more about your menstrual cycle!

How to Calculate the Normal Menstrual Cycle

The following is how to calculate the menstrual cycle using a calendar correctly:

Note the first day of menstruation every month.
Calculate the total days from the date of your first menstruation to the date of your period in the following month.
The total number of days is your menstrual cycle period.

So, if the total number of days from the date of your first menstruation to the date of your next menstruation is 28 days, that means you will menstruate every 28 days after the date of your last menstruation. In order to calculate your menstrual cycle more accurately, you are advised to calculate your menstrual cycle for at least the last 6 months. Tracking menstrual cycles on a smartphone

Apart from calculating your menstrual cycle manually, you can also use a menstrual tracker app on a smartphone to make it easier to calculate the menstrual cycle and record the length of menstruation. This app not only helps in calculating normal menstrual cycles, but also provides reminders of when your next period is due, as well as keeping track of any symptoms you may experience during your cycle.

Understanding how to calculate a normal menstrual cycle is very important for reproductive health. By knowing your cycle, you can more easily plan your daily activities and identify any irregularities that may require consulting a doctor. Apart from that, recording regular menstrual cycles also helps in family planning and early detection of other health problems.

Features Abnormal Menstrual Cycle

Abnormal menstrual cycles can be characterized by several symptoms. This is important to determine whether the menstrual schedule is regular or not. Signs of an abnormal menstrual cycle include late menstruation, menstrual periods that are longer than usual, menstrual periods that stop suddenly, and bleeding that is heavier than usual.

Apart from that, other symptoms that may appear are more severe menstrual pain, bleeding between menstrual periods, and changes in the color or consistency of menstrual blood. If you experience one or more of these signs, it is recommended to consult a medical professional.

It is important to note that abnormal menstrual cycles can be caused by various factors, including stress, weight changes, hormonal disorders, or certain medical conditions such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Understanding the signs of an abnormal menstrual cycle can help you take the right steps to maintain your reproductive health.

Causes of Abnormal Menstrual Cycles

An abnormal menstrual cycle does not always indicate disease. However, it is important to know the factors that can cause menstrual cycle abnormalities. Following are some common causes of irregular periods:

1. Heading towards Menopause

When a woman enters perimenopause, symptoms of irregular menstruation begin to appear. Perimenopause is the transition period towards menopause, characterized by irregular production of the hormone estrogen. This causes the menstrual cycle to become inconsistent.

2. High Stress Levels

Studies show that stress can affect the menstrual cycle. Stress disrupts the hormonal balance in the body, which can cause irregular periods. When someone experiences stress or depression, hormone levels become unbalanced, which impacts the menstrual cycle.

3. Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)

PCOS is a hormonal disorder that often occurs in women of reproductive age. One of the symptoms is a menstrual period that lasts more than 35 days. PCOS can be caused by various factors such as inflammation, insulin resistance, excessive androgen production, and genetic factors.

4. Thyroid Disorders

Disorders of the thyroid gland, both hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism, can change levels of the hormone prolactin. The prolactin hormone functions to maintain the balance of various body systems, including the reproductive system. These changes in hormone levels can cause the uterine lining to thin and disrupt ovarian function, which has an impact on the menstrual cycle.

5. Excessive Exercise

Excessive exercise can cause women not to ovulate, which ultimately disrupts the menstrual cycle. The hypothalamus sends signals to the pituitary gland and ovaries to trigger ovulation. However, excessive physical stress, such as drastic weight loss or excessively strenuous physical exercise, can interfere with this process.

6. Smoking

Smoking habits can cause irregular menstrual cycles. According to a study, smoking can change hormone levels in the body and disrupt the endocrine system. In addition, chemicals in cigarettes can reduce egg reserves, fertility, and speed up the menopause phase.

7. Use of Contraceptives

The use of contraceptive devices such as pills, implants and rings can disrupt the menstrual cycle, especially at the beginning of use. Contraceptives work by interfering with hormonal fluctuations and egg formation, which prevents pregnancy and can cause irregular menstrual cycles.

How to Order Returning to Normal Menstruation

Irregular menstrual cycles can cause discomfort. But, you dont have to worry. Here are some natural tips that can help return your menstrual cycle to normal. These steps are easy to do at home without requiring medication.

1. Sufficient Rest

Having enough hours of sleep can make the cycle return to normal. Normal sleep hours for adults are 7 – 9 hours per day. Sleep quality greatly influences the condition of hormones in the body. Getting enough sleep not only helps improve overall quality of life, but also plays an important role in maintaining hormonal balance.

This is very important for women because balanced hormones can help maintain a normal menstrual cycle. Therefore, maintaining a good sleep pattern is an important step to support reproductive health and general well-being.

2. Avoid Excessive Stress

Avoid excessive stress, because stress can make the menstrual cycle irregular. Yoga or meditation can be the best choice for managing stressful thoughts. Apart from that, it is important to maintain a balanced diet and exercise regularly to keep your body healthy and have a normal menstrual cycle. Adequate rest also plays an important role in maintaining hormonal balance.

3. Try Change Contraceptives

Many women experience irregular menstrual cycles due to contraceptives such as family planning pills. This can be overcome by changing contraceptives. If you are confused about choosing a contraceptive method, consult a doctor first.

Your doctor will help you choose the most suitable method for your body, so you can achieve a normal menstrual cycle. In addition, it is also important to monitor changes that occur after changing contraceptives and report them to your doctor so that further adjustments can be made if necessary.

4. Apply a Healthy Lifestyle

A healthy lifestyle with exercise and eating foods rich in nutrients and vitamins can help the menstrual cycle return to normal. A healthy lifestyle is also complemented by regular exercise, such as walking, yoga or swimming, which can improve blood circulation and reduce stress.

Apart from that, getting enough sleep and managing stress well is also an important part of a healthy lifestyle that can support a normal menstrual cycle.

5. Maintain an Ideal Weight

Obesity is one of the causes of abnormal menstrual cycles. The way to overcome this is to maintain an ideal body weight. Make sure to always eat healthy foods and not go on an excessive diet. Apart from that, it is important to regularly exercise for at least 30 minutes every day to help maintain body weight.

Consult a doctor or nutritionist to get a proper and balanced diet plan. Maintaining your weight with a healthy and balanced lifestyle will help maintain a normal menstrual cycle and improve your overall quality of life.

However, it needs to be underlined, if the steps outlined above cannot make your menstrual cycle return to normal or the symptoms become worse and interfere with your activities, immediately see a doctor. Doctors can help you detect the cause of this menstrual disorder and help you overcome it.

Find out more about the explanation”This is How to Distinguish Between Normal and Messy Menstrual Cycles” in this video