10 Reasons Why Your Period Came Early, Plus What To Do

Your menstrual cycle is the time between the first day of your last period and the first day of your next period. Most menstrual cycles last 24 to 38 days. When your cycle is less than 24 days long, you may experience an early period.

The first time you get your period as a teenager is called menarche. This usually happens between the ages of 10 and 16. The average age to get your first period is 12.4 years. When you start having your period, it may be normal for your cycles to be irregular.

You may go several months between your periods or have your period earlier than expected. This is generally not a health problem and your cycle will become more regular after a year or two.

Perimenopause is the transition period between regular periods and menopause, when you stop having periods completely. Most people experience perimenopause in their 40s and enter menopause in their 50s. During perimenopause, it is common to have irregular periods.

You may have your period more often than usual (short cycles) or much less often than usual (long cycles). You may bleed between periods, have lighter periods, or have heavier periods.

If periods bother you during perimenopause, talk to your doctor about treatment options, which may include hormonal medications, lifestyle adjustments, or treatments for underlying medical conditions.

Your thyroid is a small butterfly-shaped organ located on your neck. It releases thyroid hormones. These hormones help regulate many systems in your body, including your reproductive system, which impacts your period.

When you have too much thyroid hormone (hyperthyroidism) or not enough thyroid hormone (hypothyroidism), your periods may become irregular. You may notice fatigue, digestive problems, increased anxiety or depression, trouble sleeping, or other symptoms. The specific symptoms will depend on the type of thyroid disease you have.

Experiencing severe or long-term stress can impact your periods, making them irregular or absent. This can happen because stress can disrupt certain hormones, especially those that affect the reproductive system. Further research is needed. It’s not clear how much stress or what type of stress is most likely to cause irregular periods.

Some research shows that women with anxiety or depression are more likely to have shorter or irregular cycles, as well as more severe premenstrual syndrome (PMS) symptoms.

Very strenuous exercise can lead to irregular or absent periods. This usually happens when regular, intense exercise is combined with low body weight or when you lose weight too quickly.

Reduce the intensity or duration of your workouts if you experience irregular or absent periods due to excessive exercise. Make sure you eat a balanced diet and consume enough calories when exercising strenuously. It’s especially important to get enough calcium and vitamin D, as these nutrients help support reproductive hormones and regular menstrual cycles.

Sometimes the medications you take can make your periods irregular or early. Most often, this happens because of hormonal contraception, such as birth control pills, implants, or injections. IUDs that contain hormones may also change your periods by making them lighter or absent.

Other medications that can cause irregular periods include medications to treat epilepsy (seizures) or medications for mental health problems. If you think a medication you are taking is causing irregular periods, talk to your healthcare professional.

Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is a condition affecting the female reproductive organs that can cause irregular or missed periods. It is characterized by a hormonal imbalance and an increase in levels of male hormones (androgens).

Besides irregular periods, you may experience unwanted facial hair growth, metabolic symptoms, and infertility. If you have symptoms of PCOS, it is important to consult your doctor for treatment options.

Primary ovarian insufficiency (POI) occurs when you stop ovulating (releasing eggs) before age 40. This can lead to difficulty getting pregnant, as well as irregular periods, hot flashes, and night sweats. POI is rare and affects 1 to 2% of menstruating people under the age of 40. This condition requires diagnosis by a healthcare professional.

The pituitary gland is a small gland located at the base of the brain that secretes several hormones that help regulate body systems. Conditions affecting your pituitary gland can cause hormonal imbalances in your body, some of which can impact your periods.

For example, if you have a prolactin-secreting pituitary tumor, your body will secrete too much of the hormone prolactin, which can lead to irregular or absent periods. Pituitary problems can often be treated with medication or surgery, but require diagnosis by a healthcare professional.

Endometriosis is a condition in which uterine-like tissue grows outside the uterus, on other nearby organs. Endometriosis affects around 10% of people who menstruate. This can cause very painful periods, infertility, heavy periods, painful sex, pelvic pain, and pain while peeing or pooping.

Endometriosis can also cause bleeding between periods, which may make you think your period is early. If you have signs of endometriosis, you should see your doctor for a diagnosis and treatment plan.

If you have irregular periods, it may help to track your periods and symptoms for a few months. This can help you understand what’s going on in your body during your cycles.

After tracking your period, you may find that you do not have irregular periods, but that the normal length of your period falls earlier or later at the end of a normal cycle. Remember that a normal cycle can last 24 to 38 days.

Tracking your cycle may also tell you that your periods are irregular most of the time. Tracking will also help you determine what other symptoms you are experiencing throughout your cycle. This information may be helpful when talking to your healthcare professional.

You can track your cycle by hand in a calendar or notebook. You can also use a cycle tracking app or computer program. What you record depends on your needs, but useful information to track includes:

• The date your period starts
• The date your period ends
• Every day you bleed, noting how heavy or light the bleeding is.
• Period-related symptoms during the month, such as mood changes, cramps, back pain, headaches, and food cravings
• Changes in vaginal discharge

Most people have early or irregular periods sometimes, and 14 to 25% of people who menstruate have irregular periods on an ongoing basis. This may include periods that come early, late, or not at all.

Having one or two irregular cycles or periods that seem to come sooner or later are generally not a health problem, especially if your cycle returns to normal the following month. If you have several irregular periods in a row, it may be time to see a healthcare professional.

You may also want to see your provider if your irregular periods are accompanied by very painful cramps, difficulty getting pregnant, unusually heavy or light bleeding, or other symptoms that worry you.

If you see your doctor for period problems, he or she may:

• Find out about the length, dates and symptoms of your cycles
• Perform a pelvic exam to check the health of your reproductive organs
• Use imaging tests like ultrasound to get pictures of your uterus and nearby organs
• Have your blood tested for various conditions and abnormalities

There are many reasons why periods may come earlier, including puberty, perimenopause, PCOS, excessive exercise or stress, medications you take, or underlying conditions that affect your hormones.

It’s normal to have an early period from time to time. However, if you frequently experience early or irregular periods, it is best to consult a healthcare professional for advice and treatment.