The female cycle in general and menstruation in particular have many unpleasant surprises in store for us women. These include unpleasant menstrual cramps or premenstrual syndrome, which can sometimes make everyday life before the period a real ordeal.
Another problem that many women have experienced is unexpected bleeding. Maybe you've had your period after only two weeks, or at least well before it's due.
In this article you will find out why this can happen and why the bleeding that occurs two weeks after your last period is not necessarily your next period.
Getting your period after just two weeks - the most important facts at a glance
- The menstrual cycle does not last 28 days for all women, but can be shorter or longer.
- There are various cycle disorders that can affect the length of the cycle as well as the duration and intensity of bleeding.
- The medical term for a very short cycle is polymenorrhoea.
- If there is spotting at ovulation, this can sometimes give the impression that the period will come again after only two weeks.
- Implantation bleeding at the beginning of pregnancy is also a possible cause of unexpected bleeding.
- An appointment with your gynaecologist is always recommended in case of abnormalities such as a period that starts clearly too early.
- With Weekiss period panties, you are choosing reliable protection that you can rely on even if your period starts too early.
How long is the female cycle?
When you were at school, you probably learned at some point that the menstrual cycle is 28 days long and that women always have their periods after four weeks. This is not fundamentally wrong. However, it does not apply to all women. The 28 days mentioned are only an average value.
Your menstrual cycle can be a few days longer or shorter. This is quite normal and, up to a certain point, perfectly normal. It can also happen that the length of your menstrual cycle varies and that you have your period unexpectedly early or a few days late.
This can be due to the following reasons:
- High stress levels at work or in your relationship
- You have recently stopped taking the contraceptive pill
- Severe weight changes in a very short time
- The onset of the menopause
- Persistent lack of sleep
Possible cycle disorders
Apart from individual variations in the length of the menstrual cycle and the intensity and duration of menstrual bleeding, women can also experience various cycle disorders. Possible problems include not only things like PMS symptoms, but also, for example, abnormalities in the length of the cycle and the intensity of bleeding.
Among other things, the following cycle disorders can occur:
- Hypermenorrhoea (menstrual bleeding that is too heavy)
- Hypomenorrhoea (menstrual bleeding that is too light)
- Oligomenorrhoea (menstrual cycle too long)
- Polymenorrhoea (menstrual cycle too short)
If you only lose up to 25 millilitres of blood during your period, you are having a menstrual bleed that is too light (hypomenorrhoea). If the amount of blood you lose exceeds 80 millilitres, you have too heavy menstrual bleeding (hypermenorrhoea). A cycle that is too long (oligomenorrhoea) is when the length of the cycle is 35 days or more. If you have less than 25 days between two periods, you have a cycle that is too short (polymenorrhoea).
Possible causes of polymenorrhoea
If your cycle is very short and you get your period after only two weeks or at least much too early, this can have various causes. Experience has shown that older women, especially those going through the menopause, and girls who have not been menarche for very long, have a shortened cycle.
In many cases, polymenorrhoea is caused by a malfunction of the ovaries. Often this dysfunction occurs together with a too short corpus luteum phase. In some cases, a very early onset of the next menstruation can also indicate that ovulation has not occurred in the affected woman.
How is polymenorrhoea treated?
There is no doubt that it is very annoying when your menstruation regularly starts too early and you may even get your period back after only two weeks. However, it is not usually necessary to have your polymenorrhoea treated.
However, you can get advice from your gynaecologist if you need it. If you want to have a baby, your gynaecologist may be able to prescribe hormones to help with your fertility problems.
Spotting due to ovulation
Ovulation is the third phase of the female cycle. It happens at the end of the follicular phase and lasts just a few seconds. After ovulation, your egg can be fertilised for about 12 to 24 hours. Ovulation can be indicated by a number of symptoms.
Apart from a rise in basal body temperature and LH levels, these include a pulling sensation in the side of the abdomen and spotting. The latter are usually relatively light. Especially in young women, or if they are a little heavier, you may get the impression that menstruation has already started again.
Since ovulation takes place around the middle of the cycle, depending on the length of the cycle, it can look as if you have already had your period after two weeks, even though it is only spotting that is normal during ovulation.
Implantation bleeding at the beginning of pregnancy
In addition to spotting that occurs during ovulation, so-called implantation bleeding can also be responsible for the fact that you seem to get your period again after about two weeks. Implantation bleeding happens when an egg implants in the uterus after fertilisation. In other words, unexpected bleeding means that you are pregnant.
Of course, you know best whether it is possible for you to become pregnant. If it is, you should at least consider this possibility as the cause of your apparently early menstruation. Then you can soon take a pregnancy test and, if the result is positive, contact your gynaecologist as soon as possible.
Unscheduled bleeding due to illness
It's not uncommon to get your period a few days early every now and then. In most cases, this is simply due to fluctuations in your hormone levels caused by factors such as stress. Such irregularities in the menstrual cycle are usually completely harmless.
However, if you really do start menstruating again after two weeks, or if you have any other irregularities or complaints, it is definitely advisable to have a check-up with your gynaecologist as soon as possible. After all, it is quite possible that the supposedly harmless bleeding is a serious symptom of an illness and that you therefore need urgent treatment.
Lasting and comfortable protection for your period
In the end, it doesn't matter if you actually get your period after two weeks or if your discharge is just spotting that occurs during ovulation. Using the right hygiene product can help you feel comfortable and safe in your everyday life.
Instead of using a tampon or sanitary pad, we recommend that you try period underwear next time. These practical panties have a multi-layer membrane system that reliably absorbs the escaping blood. Period panties are available in different absorbencies, so you can find a suitable model for both light spotting and heavier days of menstruation.
After wearing your period pants, you can simply wash it in the washing machine and reuse it. In this way, you also make a valuable contribution to protecting the environment, as you save a considerable amount of waste over time compared to classic disposable menstrual products.
Do you already know Weekiss?
If you are curious and would like to see for yourself the reliability and comfort of period underwear, you have come to the right place. In our shop you will find a selection of period underwear in different designs and absorbencies.
Weekiss period underwear is made with certified organic cotton and is also free from potentially harmful biocides. You can rest assured that you are choosing menstrual panties that leave nothing to be desired in terms of quality, comfort and sustainability.
Our conclusion on getting your period back after just two weeks
Your normal menstrual bleeding and therefore a significantly shortened cycle are by no means the only possible reasons for unexpectedly early bleeding. So it's not necessarily the case that you've already had your period after two weeks. You may simply be having normal spotting, which can occur during ovulation.
You may also be pregnant and have had implantation bleeding, which of course has nothing to do with your normal menstruation. If in doubt, you should always seek the advice of your gynaecologist if you have any abnormalities concerning your menstrual cycle or your period.
Your gynaecologist can not only advise you on how to deal with your early periods. She can also rule out possible illnesses as the cause if the bleeding makes it seem as if you've already had your period after two weeks.