How Your Period Changes Throughout Your Life
Your period probably isn’t your favourite time of the month, especially when it’s irregular. Sometimes it’s late, then early. You’re used to it lasting five days and then suddenly it lasts for over a week. Cramps happen out of nowhere, you’re randomly in need of a hot water bottle or ibuprofen.
Changes to your menstrual cycle can be hard to predict and difficult to deal with. As you get older, your period will continue to adjust and evolve with your body, due to hormonal changes as you age and experiences like pregnancy and perimenopause.
20s
If you experienced irregular periods during your teens, the good news is your flow will likely be more consistent now. This is because young girls don’t ovulate regularly, which makes periods more erratic. When your cycle becomes more regular, you’ll start experiencing PMS, cramps, and breast tenderness. These side effects can be an unpleasant surprise if you’re not used to dealing with them every month.
If you go on hormonal contraception, this can cause a major menstruation change. The pill can make your period lighter and more regular, less cramping, and reduced PMS symptoms.
Some forms of birth control can cause your periods to completely disappear. Hormonal contraception prevent ovulation, and without ovulation, there’s no uterine lining build-up that needs to be shed, and therefore, no flow!
30s
Menstruation should be consistent and predictable in your 30s. If you suddenly experience a heavier flow or more intense pain than your usual cramps, it may be a sign of a bigger issue. Heavier bleeding could be benign growths called fibroids. Cramps which last all month could be endometriosis. If you experience this, please consult your doctor.
If you get pregnant, your period stops. It doesn’t usually come back until six weeks after delivery. If you’re breastfeeding, your period will not return until you stop or reduce the number of times you’re nursing.
Many women find that after pregnancy, their cramps get better. This can be caused by the cervical opening becoming a little larger, the flow comes out without requiring as strong uterine contractions.
40s
The 40s mark the beginning of perimenopausal hormonal fluctuations, which are precursors to menopause. For more information on perimenopause, please see our other blog.
Normal hormone changes cause ovulation to be more irregular, and oestrogen level fluctuation means you could start experiencing missed periods, a heavier flow, spotting between periods, and longer stretches of PMS. Even when ovulation is erratic, you can still get pregnant. A woman isn’t in menopause until her periods have ceased for at least a year.
Whatever your age, just remember that your period offers a lot of insight into your overall health. If you experience any unusual symptoms, it’s best to check with your doctor. Highly irregular periods or drastic changes to your flow may be a sign of thyroid issues, polycystic ovarian syndrome, or other (treatable) health concerns.