Fertility Challenges Causes & Concerns What Is an Irregular Period? The 28-Day Myth and When to Worry By Rachel Gurevich, RN Rachel Gurevich, RN Facebook LinkedIn Twitter Rachel Gurevich is a fertility advocate, author, and recipient of The Hope Award for Achievement, from Resolve: The National Infertility Association. She is a professional member of the Association of Health Care Journalists and has been writing about women’s health since 2001. Rachel uses her own experiences with infertility to write compassionate, practical, and supportive articles. Learn about our editorial process Updated on December 21, 2021 Medically reviewed Verywell Family articles are reviewed by board-certified physicians and family healthcare professionals. Medical Reviewers confirm the content is thorough and accurate, reflecting the latest evidence-based research. Content is reviewed before publication and upon substantial updates. Learn more. by Alyssa Dweck, MD Medically reviewed by Alyssa Dweck, MD LinkedIn Alyssa Dweck, MD, MS, is a board-certified gynecologist and an assistant clinical professor at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine. She provides care to women of all ages, and she has delivered thousands of babies. Learn about our Medical Review Board Print Verywell / Nusha Ashjaee Table of Contents View All Table of Contents Irregular Periods Other Period Irregularities Occasional Irregularity There is a wide range of what is considered to be "normal" when talking about the menstrual cycle. That said, irregular periods can be a signal that something in your body is not quite right. For example, irregular periods can be an early sign of potential fertility problems. Knowing how to tell if your periods are irregular will help you understand your body better. Your cycle might be shorter or longer than what's typical. You may have no bleeding or excessive bleeding. Often, the term "irregular" may refer to a change in what's normal for you. What Is an Irregular Period? You can find out whether your periods are regular or irregular by charting how long your menstrual cycles are. You can determine your menstrual cycle length by counting from day 1 of your period to day 1 of the next period. Day 1 is traditionally the first day of actual flow. It's normal to have cycles between 21 and 35 days. According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), your period is irregular if it tends to come more frequently than every 21 days or less often than every 35 days. If your cycle length falls in the normal range but varies by seven to nine days from cycle to cycle, that's a sign of an irregular period, too. For example, if one cycle is 25 days and the next is 33 days, your cycles would be considered irregular (even though a 25- or 33-day cycle is otherwise normal). If your cycle is always between 25 and 35 days and fluctuates by just a few days—maybe 33 days one month and 35 days the next—that's not usually cause for concern. 28-Day Myth It's a common belief that your menstrual cycle should be 28 days. You may assume this from posters and pamphlets you saw in health class or from birth control packaging design. The truth is, 28 days is a rough average of how long people's menstrual cycles tend to be. Data collected from a menstrual cycle tracking app found that the average cycle length is actually a little longer at 29.3 days. Other Period Irregularities Shorter or longer than normal cycles are not the only red flags that your period is irregular. It's important to pay attention to these other signs that something may be off with your health or your hormones. Too-Light Bleeding Bleeding very little or not bleeding at all (known as amenorrhea) with each menstrual cycle is atypical. Light or absent bleeding can result from being very underweight or very overweight. If you are overweight, losing weight might help make your periods more regular. If you are underweight, gaining weight can help restore and regulate your menstrual cycle. (Slow and steady weight change is the healthiest way to get there.) Mid-Cycle Spotting Hormones are often the cause of spotting between periods. Your hormones could be affected by your birth control medication, fertility drugs, or a thyroid disorder. Fibroids and polyps in your reproductive tract can also lead to regular spotting. Too-Heavy or Extended Bleeding Bleeding that soaks through one or more tampon or pad every hour for several hours in a row or contains clots that are as big as a quarter or larger is abnormal, according to ACOG. So is a period that lasts more than seven days. Excessive bleeding, or menorrhagia, is a common concern, affecting up to one-third of people who get a period. Though common, you should see a gynecologist to discuss it, even if you've "learned to live with it." Heavy periods can be a sign of a fertility issue or a health problem, including fibroids, polyps, or endometriosis. Severe Cramps You shouldn't ignore really bad period pain, also known as dysmenorrhea. Conditions that could affect your fertility and overall health could be to blame, including fibroids, endometriosis, or pelvic inflammatory disease (an infection in your reproductive organs). Occasional Irregular Periods There are many factors that can influence your menstrual cycle and cause you to periodically experience an irregular period. An extremely stressful event, illness, or even a big trip—especially if your sleep pattern is disrupted—can cause you to miss a period or have spotting. You can also have an abnormal cycle or bleeding if you are breastfeeding, pregnant, or having a miscarriage. A dramatic change in your activity patterns or weight can affect your menstrual cycle, too. Excessive exercise and rapid weight loss can lead to irregular or even absent periods. This is common in athletes, but should not be ignored, especially if you are hoping to conceive in the near future. Most people know what their typical cycle is like. Any persistent or concerning changes to your period norm may warrant a visit to the gynecologist. Talk to a doctor if you are worried about any aspect of your menstrual cycle or have questions about your period, fertility, or reproductive health. A Word From Verywell You can have a menstrual cycle that's longer or shorter than 28 days and still be fertile. Alternatively, you might have a textbook 28-day cycle but have irregular bleeding patterns that could signal fertility problems. Being aware of what's normal and what may not be when it comes to your periods is key to better understanding not just your ability to get pregnant but also your health in general. To assess your cycles, it can be helpful to keep fertility calendar. While irregular cycles can be a sign of a possible fertility problem, having regular cycles does not guarantee it will be a cinch to conceive. There are many causes of female and male fertility, and only some affect menstruation. If you notice that your periods are irregular, it's something to talk to a doctor about. Irregular cycles are sometimes a sign of hormone imbalances, health issues, or a problem with ovulation. The good news is, many reproductive problems can be helped with medications, certain procedures, or even some simple lifestyle changes. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Get diet and wellness tips to help your kids stay healthy and happy. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit 7 Sources Verywell Family uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office on Women's Health. Your menstrual cycle. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. What are menstrual irregularities?. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Abnormal uterine bleeding. Bull JR, Rowland SP, Scherwitzl EB, Scherwitzl R, Danielsson KG, Harper J. Real-world menstrual cycle characteristics of more than 600,000 menstrual cycles. npj Digit Med. 2019;2(1):83. doi:10.1038/s41746-019-0152-7 American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Heavy menstrual bleeding. Cleveland Clinic. Can stress cause you to skip a period?. Cleveland Clinic. Is it normal to lose your period because of exercise?.