What Causes Frequent Periods?

There are many reasons a woman may have frequent periods. Among them are such things as hormonal imbalances, stress, extreme diets, exercise, and side effects of birth control. A woman may also experience more periods than normal in relation to cysts that form on her ovaries and menopause. Even sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) may cause a woman to experience more periods.

Among the most common causes of frequent periods are hormonal imbalances. For example, a hormonal imbalance may cause a woman to ovulate more frequently than usual. In turn, this more frequent ovulation often results in periods that come earlier and more often. Some women may also experience spotting as a result of imbalanced hormones. Spotting, however, is not considered a true menstrual period.

Extreme changes in a woman's diet may affect the way the body functions as well as the production of hormones that cause ovulation and menstruation. As a result, a woman may have periods more frequently than usual. She may also experience more frequent menstrual periods because of extreme changes in the amount of exercise she does. It is worth noting that diet and exercise may also make a woman menstruate less frequently. For example, if woman dramatically reduces her caloric intake or engages in excessive exercise, she may cease to menstruate on a regular basis.

Approaching menopause may also contribute to frequent periods. As a woman gets closer to menopause, hormonal changes may cause her to ovulate more frequently. Since she is ovulating more frequently, she may also have menstrual periods that occur closer together. Some people theorize that more frequent periods are the body’s way of making it easier for a woman to get pregnant before menopause.

Certain medical conditions are also among the causes of frequent periods or at least vaginal bleeding that resembles a period. For example, if a woman has a cyst that grows on an ovary, it may eventually grow large enough to cause frequent bleeding from the vagina. Some STDs may also contribute to frequent periods. Additionally, pelvic inflammatory disease, which may develop as a complication of an STD, may cause abnormal bleeding as well.

Stress may also contribute to frequent menstruation. A woman who is dealing with a good deal of stress and anxiety may notice that her periods come more frequently and may experience bleeding between periods as well. The opposite may also occur, however, and a woman may instead experience fewer periods as a result of stress.