Should you worry if your period suddenly becomes shorter?

A menstrual cycle can fluctuate owing to different reasons ranging from hormonal changes to lifestyle patterns 

It’s a fact that no two women share the same kind of experience when they get their period. Painful for some, tolerable for others; extremely heavy bleeding for some, sporadic spotting for others; a five-day-long cycle for some and perhaps just three days for others. The awareness of the many complexities associated with a menstrual cycle has augmented in the past couple of years, making women more conscious and alert of any alterations that arise in their menstrual cycle. As a result, more and more women are diagnosed with conditions like PCOS and fibroids in the early stages which makes taking corrective measures easier. However, what many don’t pay enough attention to is the tapering off of the period. While a period can typically last anywhere between three to seven days, more often than not, it persists for four to five days. We reach out to gynaecologists to decipher what exactly causes this.

Different women, different patterns

“A typical menstrual period, also known as menstruation or a menstrual cycle, can last anywhere from two to seven days. However, this can vary from person to person,” confirms Dr Yuvraj Jadeja, gynaecologist and medical director at Nimaaya Centre for Women's Healthcare, Vadodara. “Some individuals may have shorter or longer periods, and it’s considered normal as long as it falls within this general range. But, it is also important to take the intensity of the flow into account; any period that hampers your day-to-day activity—be it because of the flow, the duration or the level of pain—should be evaluated.” 

According to gynaecologist Dr Amodita Ahuja, the length of the period cycle is highly dependent on your age, genetics and Body Mass Index (BMI). “This period of two to seven  days is considered normal. keeping in mind the transitions which happen in life like menarche to adolescence to menopause as well as major reproductive events like pregnancy (or abortions),” says the doctor. Along the same lines, Jadeja informs that the duration of a menstrual period is also influenced by a complex interplay of hormonal changes and physiological processes within the female reproductive system which intricately dictates the days of the flow and “this is why it usually varies from person to person, based on one’s genetics, hormones, lifestyle, weight and stressors.”

What tends to cut short a period?

It is important to understand what can classify as a ‘shortened’ period. For instance, if you’ve always had a five-day-long period ever since you began menstruating as a teenager, and notice a sudden dip in the days after a couple of years, that can be counted as a shortened period. On the other hand, if you’ve always had a three-day-long period, that is, perhaps, your individual menstrual pattern, which is usually considered normal. “Menstrual cycles and periods can vary in length and duration from person to person, and they can also change over the course of a person’s life due to various factors, including someone's menstrual period becoming shorter over time. The technical term for the shortening of one’s menstrual cycle is called hypomenorrhea,” says Jadeja. Dr Asha Dalal, director of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at Sir H N Reliance Hospital, Mumbai, states, “The period is the shedding of the endometrium. And the thickness of the endometrium depends on the hormone oestrogen. If the oestrogen levels are low, the lining tends to be thin which leads to lesser bleeding. This is common during puberty and menopause.”

Pathological or organic causes for the decreased blood flow include Asherman syndrome, where the lining of the uterus gets destroyed; hormonal imbalances such as PCOS, hypothyroidism or hyperprolactinemia (higher-than-normal levels of prolactin in the blood); cervical stenosis, i.e. if the androgen is secreting tumour from the ovary and primary ovarian insufficiency; or premature menopause, says Ahuja. “Some forms of hormonal birth control, such as birth control pills, hormonal IUDs or the implant, can regulate and shorten menstrual cycles; as people age, their menstrual cycles may change. For some individuals, their period can become shorter as they approach menopause,” explains Jadeja. “Significant weight loss or gain can influence hormonal balance, affecting menstrual cycles and potentially leading to shorter periods,” he adds.

Do you always need to stress out?

Many women experience negligible flow—or just some spotting—by the fourth and fifth days of their period. And that’s normal in the grand scheme of things. However, stating the red flags, Ahuja says, “If there is a shortening of periods to less than two days, then there has to be an organic reason as to why the period cycle has decreased so much. Even not getting your period for 45 days or more, and having no pain, even if you get it, can be worrisome. Continuous spotting after the actual periods have lasted only for two days is also not a good sign.” 

“If your periods have always been regular and suddenly become significantly shorter (or your notice any other drastic change), it could be a cause for concern and should be evaluated by a doctor,” explains Jadeja, “If you experience irregular bleeding or spotting between your regular periods, it may indicate hormonal imbalances or other gynaecological issues. If your periods become much shorter and also more painful than usual, it might be a sign of conditions like endometriosis or pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). Lastly, if you experience additional symptoms like unexplained weight loss, extreme fatigue, fever or severe pelvic pain, it could be indicative of an underlying health problem that requires attention.”

The best way forward

It is ideal to wait for the next period. It mostly returns to normal if incidental, but if the pattern continues, it is imperative to visit a gynaecologist, says Jadeja. “The first step is thorough history-taking to look for patterns or changes in your routine, followed by examination and an ultrasound, and subsequently hormonal tests, to look for a significant cause. Treatment usually involves some lifestyle changes and medicines.”

According to Ahuja, one should refrain from abusing emergency contraceptive pills as these medicines have high dosages and can alter your cycle for the next two to three months. To ensure you get your period on a timely basis, maintaining a healthy weight, managing your stress effectively, ensuring physical movement, sleeping well and consuming a balanced, healthy diet is paramount. “Keep a menstrual calendar or use period-tracking apps to monitor your cycle’s length, symptoms and any irregularities. This can help you detect changes and seek medical advice, if needed,” concludes Jadeja.

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