Why is My Menstrual Cycle Getting Longer?

One of the most common questions women are asked when they visit the doctor’s office is “When was your last period?”. And though this is usually a routine question, it becomes essential when trying to conceive. The answer to this simple question can provide insight into any menstrual irregularities or fertility challenges you might be facing. 

One challenge faced can be a result of a longer menstrual cycle, and while it may not be a problem on its own, it is a great indicator for understanding how your body operates. 

Key Takeaways

• Menstrual cycles typically last between 24 and 38 days, and some variation between cycles is normal.
• Disruptions or irregularity in the length of a period can be a result of many factors, ranging from stress and diet to conditions like PCOS and hormone disorders.
• While some variability in length is typical for most people’s menstrual cycles, major changes for months on end or significant changes in flow or discomfort during a menstrual cycle may require medical intervention to address the issue properly.

The Menstrual Cycle Explained

Your menstrual cycle is more than just your period, and understanding why your cycle has gotten longer goes hand in hand with understanding how your cycle operates. The menstrual cycle refers to the hormonal changes a female’s body goes through every month. The cycle begins on the first day of your period and ends the day before your next period. 

The menstrual cycle consists of four specific phases:

1. Menstruation: This begins on the first day of a person’s period. During this phase, the uterine lining, or endometrium, is shed if a pregnancy hasn’t occurred. This phase typically lasts from 3 to 7 days. However, some people may experience periods longer or shorter than this window.
2. The follicular phase: This phase of your cycle starts at the end of your period and is characterized by the regrowth of the endometrium. Here, small fibers containing eggs, called antral follicles expand on the outside of the ovaries until one fiber reaches full maturity. This process typically takes around two weeks. Patients with low ovarian reserve may notice a shortened follicular phase and women with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) may see a longer follicular phase. 
3. Ovulation: This stage is known by many, especially those looking to conceive. During this time, the mature antral follicle that was developed in the follicular phase ruptures, releasing the egg inside. This occurs over about a day and a half.
4. The luteal phase: This phase starts after ovulation ends and continues till your next period, lasting between 12 and 14 days. During this phase, the ovary releases progesterone, transforming the lining of the uterus to prepare for implantation. If there’s no conception, progesterone levels drop and the endometrium begins to shed once again at the start of the next period. 

How Does Age Affect Your Menstrual Cycle?

The menstrual cycle lasts between 24 and 38 days, and a variety of factors can impact the duration and consistency of the cycle, including age.  According to Harvard University research, people under the age of 20 had an average menstrual cycle length of 30.3 days compared to 28.7 days for those between the ages of 35 and 39, and 28 days for those in their 40s. Those over 50 saw a swing in the opposite direction with cycles averaging nearly 31 days.

Within these age groups, the variability from person to person was also found to decrease as age increased, with those in their 20s having an average variability in the length of their cycles of 5.3 days and those in their 30s varying by only 3.8 days. However, after the age of 40, this trend reversed, with people over the age of 50 seeing an average variation of 11.2 days between cycles.

What Causes Your Menstrual Cycle to Change?

Fluctuations in the menstrual cycle are normal but significant changes may indicate an underlying problem that may require a lifestyle shift. Let’s look at some of the factors that can affect your menstrual cycle. 

Hormone Imbalance

Hormones help regulate various functions in the body. Hormonal imbalances happen when there’s too little or too much of one hormone in the body, and this increases the length of your cycle. Conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and amenorrhea can lead to irregular periods and may require medical treatment to alleviate symptoms. A variety of thyroid conditions, diabetes, and Cushing’s Syndrome can all also potentially disrupt an otherwise consistent menstrual cycle.

Perimenopause

Perimenopause is the transitional time to menopause- when a woman’s periods stop. It comes with physical and emotional symptoms as well as changes in a cycle. During this time, your body continues with its regular functions including the release of eggs. Nevertheless, estrogen and other hormones begin to dip and your cycle becomes shorter or irregular. You also become less fertile. 

Thankfully, some women have managed to conceive and give birth during this stage, especially with assisted fertility from clinics such as Ivy Fertility. The compassionate team of healthcare professionals will guide you on better understanding your menstrual cycle while seeking options for treatment.

Diet

As with so many health issues, a poor diet can contribute to an irregular menstrual cycle in many people. Because hormone levels control the duration of the menstrual cycle, a diet that doesn’t provide enough of the nutrients necessary to produce these hormones can lead to disruptions to menstrual cycles. A 2022 study found excessive consumption of junk food can negatively impact the menstrual cycles of women, regardless of their weight at the time of the study.

Birth Control

There are different types of contraceptives and oral contraceptives have been shown to limit the body’s ability to produce progestin and estrogen to prevent ovulation or reduce the likelihood of an egg implanting on the uterine wall and causing a pregnancy. Oral contraceptives can also affect how the uterine lining behaves, which can lead to reduced bleeding during periods, spotting in between periods, and longer spaces between periods.

Stress

From a study published in 2015, it is clear that excessive stress has been shown to have both short-term and long-term effects on the consistency of menstrual cycles. There is evidence linking high levels of stress to the production of certain compounds in the brain that suppress hormone production, which might explain why too much stress causes disruptions to an otherwise consistent cycle.

PCOS

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome is a very common condition that affects between 8 and 13 percent of reproductive-aged women worldwide. PCOS results in the development of many tiny cysts on the ovaries where follicles would normally develop and release eggs. These cysts lead to an inability to ovulate normally, causing a variety of potential health conditions if left untreated and leading to a dramatic reduction in the frequency of periods.

When to See a Doctor

Small fluctuations in a menstrual cycle aren’t an immediate cause for concern, and a period starting as much as an entire week early or late isn’t necessarily an indication of a problem, particularly if it doesn’t happen often. If you experience any of these symptoms, however, it might be time to get in touch with a healthcare provider about what to do next:

• Menstrual cycles that are consistently shorter than 24 days
• Periods that are consistently longer than 7 days
• Periods consistently accompanied by severe pain
• Periods that are consistently more than two months apart
• Spotting which consistently occurs between periods
• Consistently experiencing heavy bleeding, requiring a new pad or tampon every hour, during a period

Finally

Keep track of your periods, which will help you know if and when your cycle is getting longer. You can do this using an app or a diary starting from the first day of your period as day 1 of your menstrual cycle and the day before your period as the last day of your cycle.