Periods can sometimes come twice in one month due to various factors such as hormonal imbalances, lifestyle changes, or underlying health conditions. Here are some possible reasons:
❥ Hormonal imbalance
Fluctuations in hormones due to puberty, stress, perimenopause or other natural reasons can disrupt the regularity of the menstrual cycle. Additionally, conditions like Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), a common hormonal disorder, can result in irregular periods, including experiencing more than one period in a month.
❥ Weight changes
Significant weight gain or loss can disrupt your hormonal balance, which may lead to irregular periods. Rapid changes in weight can affect the production of estrogen, leading to more frequent periods.
❥ Birth control
Starting, stopping, or changing hormonal birth control methods (such as the pill, patch, or IUD) can cause irregular bleeding or spotting between periods. This breakthrough bleeding might be mistaken for a second period in a month. Missing birth control pills or taking them inconsistently can also cause hormonal fluctuations, leading to additional bleeding.
❥ Uterine fibroids
Noncancerous growths in the uterus that can cause heavy bleeding and irregular periods. Women with fibroids may experience more frequent bleeding, which can sometimes seem like two periods.
❥ Endometriosis
It is a condition in which tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows outside the uterus. This can cause irregular bleeding, pelvic pain, and in some cases, more frequent periods.
❥ Infections
Pelvic infections or sexually transmitted infections (STIs) can cause abnormal bleeding between periods. This bleeding might be mistaken for a second period.
❥ Medications
Certain medications, such as blood thinners or hormonal treatments, can affect your menstrual cycle, leading to irregular or more frequent bleeding.
❥ Early miscarriage
Sometimes, what seems like a second period could be an early miscarriage. In the case of a very early miscarriage, you may experience heavier or unexpected bleeding.
❥ Anovulation (Lack of ovulation)
In some cases, women may have a cycle where they don't ovulate (anovulatory cycle), but they may still experience irregular bleeding, which could appear as a second period.
If you experience frequent periods for more than a couple of months or if your periods are accompanied by severe pain, heavy bleeding, or other unusual symptoms (such as fatigue or weight loss), it’s important to consult a healthcare provider.
How to deal with a pain during the menstruation?
Dealing with menstrual pain can be challenging, but there are several ways to manage it. Here are some effective strategies to help relieve period pain:
❤ Over-the-counter medications
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)*, like ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) and naproxen (Aleve), help treat period cramps by lowering inflammation. Acetaminophen (Tylenol) works by blocking pain receptors in the brain. Antispasmodic medications such as Buscopan Venus can relax the cramps at the source of menstrual pain.
*NSAIDs should be used with caution. Overuse or prolonged use may lead to stomach irritation, ulcers, or increased risk of heart and kidney issues.
❤ Applying a heating pad, hot water bottle, or taking a warm bath can relax the muscles of the uterus and improve blood flow, helping to alleviate cramps.
❤ Resting and practicing stress-relief techniques like meditation, deep breathing exercises, or mindfulness can help reduce tension and alleviate pain. You may also do light exercises and massage to help you to relax your muscles.
If your menstrual pain is severe or disrupts your daily life, it’s important to talk to a healthcare provider!
I have an irritation in my intimate areas after periods, what do I do?
Experiencing irritation in your intimate areas after your period is common and can have several causes, such as:
❥ Hormonal changes. The shift in hormones during and after your menstrual cycle can lead to dryness or changes in pH, making the skin more sensitive.
❥ Sanitary product. Pads, tampons, or menstrual cups might cause irritation, especially if they are scented, made of certain materials, or if not changed frequently.
❥. Moisture. Prolonged moisture due to sweating or not changing sanitary products often can lead to irritation or infections.
❥ Infections. Yeast infections or bacterial vaginosis can sometimes occur after menstruation due to the pH changes.
How to deal with it?
♥️ Use unscented pads or tampons.
♥️ Change sanitary products regularly and wear loose-fitting clothes.
♥️ Wash with water or a mild acidic soap or special products for women hygiene.
♥️ Use a barrier ointment to soothe the irritated area.
♥️ Wear breathable cotton underwear.
If the irritation lasts more than a few days, and you can feel abnormal discharge and smell, please see a doctor!
How can I calculate my ovulation?
Calculating ovulation can help track your most fertile days, especially if you're trying to conceive or avoid pregnancy. There are several methods:
❤ Calendar Method
This method is based on tracking the length of your menstrual cycle over several months. Ovulation typically occurs around 14 days before the start of your next period, for example, If your cycle is 28 days long, you would likely ovulate on day 14 (with day 1 being the first day of your period). If your cycle is 30 days long, ovulation might occur on day 16. Keep in mind that not all cycles are the same length, so it's important to track it for a few months to get the average.
❤ Ovulation Predictor Kits (OPKs)
OPKs detect the luteinizing hormone (LH) surge that happens 24-48 hours before ovulation. Start testing a few days before your expected ovulation (based on your cycle length). A positive result indicates you're likely to ovulate within the next 1-2 days.
❤ Ovulation Apps (Eshe!)
Several apps help track menstrual cycles and predict ovulation based on your input (cycle length, symptoms, etc.). These apps use data from the calendar method to estimate your fertile window. You can use calendar in this app to calculate it. Green highlighter in the Eshe calendar estimates your ovulation!
Is there a way to stop pain when being intimate?
Pain during intimacy can be caused by various physical and emotional factors. How to reduce or stop the pain:
❥ Use a lubricant. A good-quality, water-based lubricant can help reduce friction and make intimacy more comfortable. Avoid lubricants with added chemicals or fragrances, as they can cause irritation.
❥ Communicate with your partner. Let them know what feels uncomfortable. More foreplay, changing positions, or slowing down can help you feel more relaxed and comfortable.
❥ Try relaxation techniques: Pelvic floor exercises, deep breathing, or yoga can help relax the pelvic muscles and reduce tension. Anxiety, stress, or past trauma can lead to pain or discomfort.
❥ Address medical conditions. If you suspect an infection or a medical condition like endometriosis or fibroids, it's important to consult with a healthcare provider for diagnosis and treatment.
❥ Hormonal treatments. If dryness is caused by low estrogen (due to menopause or other hormonal changes), talk to your doctor about vaginal estrogen creams or other hormonal treatments that might help.
If the pain persists despite trying various approaches, it is better to seek for a medical help.
Where can I find people to talk to about my issues?
You can join our group chats in WhatsApp! There are a lot of women from your country who would love to discuss things with you!
❤ Eshe Kenya https://chat.whatsapp.com/Fc9pDML2pOACslg2Xv2G5Y
❤ Eshe Nigeria https://chat.whatsapp.com/HIH4LY06uBA2MIEi1j2QNL
❥ Hormonal imbalance
Fluctuations in hormones due to puberty, stress, perimenopause or other natural reasons can disrupt the regularity of the menstrual cycle. Additionally, conditions like Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), a common hormonal disorder, can result in irregular periods, including experiencing more than one period in a month.
❥ Weight changes
Significant weight gain or loss can disrupt your hormonal balance, which may lead to irregular periods. Rapid changes in weight can affect the production of estrogen, leading to more frequent periods.
❥ Birth control
Starting, stopping, or changing hormonal birth control methods (such as the pill, patch, or IUD) can cause irregular bleeding or spotting between periods. This breakthrough bleeding might be mistaken for a second period in a month. Missing birth control pills or taking them inconsistently can also cause hormonal fluctuations, leading to additional bleeding.
❥ Uterine fibroids
Noncancerous growths in the uterus that can cause heavy bleeding and irregular periods. Women with fibroids may experience more frequent bleeding, which can sometimes seem like two periods.
❥ Endometriosis
It is a condition in which tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows outside the uterus. This can cause irregular bleeding, pelvic pain, and in some cases, more frequent periods.
❥ Infections
Pelvic infections or sexually transmitted infections (STIs) can cause abnormal bleeding between periods. This bleeding might be mistaken for a second period.
❥ Medications
Certain medications, such as blood thinners or hormonal treatments, can affect your menstrual cycle, leading to irregular or more frequent bleeding.
❥ Early miscarriage
Sometimes, what seems like a second period could be an early miscarriage. In the case of a very early miscarriage, you may experience heavier or unexpected bleeding.
❥ Anovulation (Lack of ovulation)
In some cases, women may have a cycle where they don't ovulate (anovulatory cycle), but they may still experience irregular bleeding, which could appear as a second period.
If you experience frequent periods for more than a couple of months or if your periods are accompanied by severe pain, heavy bleeding, or other unusual symptoms (such as fatigue or weight loss), it’s important to consult a healthcare provider.
How to deal with a pain during the menstruation?
Dealing with menstrual pain can be challenging, but there are several ways to manage it. Here are some effective strategies to help relieve period pain:
❤ Over-the-counter medications
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)*, like ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) and naproxen (Aleve), help treat period cramps by lowering inflammation. Acetaminophen (Tylenol) works by blocking pain receptors in the brain. Antispasmodic medications such as Buscopan Venus can relax the cramps at the source of menstrual pain.
*NSAIDs should be used with caution. Overuse or prolonged use may lead to stomach irritation, ulcers, or increased risk of heart and kidney issues.
❤ Applying a heating pad, hot water bottle, or taking a warm bath can relax the muscles of the uterus and improve blood flow, helping to alleviate cramps.
❤ Resting and practicing stress-relief techniques like meditation, deep breathing exercises, or mindfulness can help reduce tension and alleviate pain. You may also do light exercises and massage to help you to relax your muscles.
If your menstrual pain is severe or disrupts your daily life, it’s important to talk to a healthcare provider!
I have an irritation in my intimate areas after periods, what do I do?
Experiencing irritation in your intimate areas after your period is common and can have several causes, such as:
❥ Hormonal changes. The shift in hormones during and after your menstrual cycle can lead to dryness or changes in pH, making the skin more sensitive.
❥ Sanitary product. Pads, tampons, or menstrual cups might cause irritation, especially if they are scented, made of certain materials, or if not changed frequently.
❥. Moisture. Prolonged moisture due to sweating or not changing sanitary products often can lead to irritation or infections.
❥ Infections. Yeast infections or bacterial vaginosis can sometimes occur after menstruation due to the pH changes.
How to deal with it?
♥️ Use unscented pads or tampons.
♥️ Change sanitary products regularly and wear loose-fitting clothes.
♥️ Wash with water or a mild acidic soap or special products for women hygiene.
♥️ Use a barrier ointment to soothe the irritated area.
♥️ Wear breathable cotton underwear.
If the irritation lasts more than a few days, and you can feel abnormal discharge and smell, please see a doctor!
How can I calculate my ovulation?
Calculating ovulation can help track your most fertile days, especially if you're trying to conceive or avoid pregnancy. There are several methods:
❤ Calendar Method
This method is based on tracking the length of your menstrual cycle over several months. Ovulation typically occurs around 14 days before the start of your next period, for example, If your cycle is 28 days long, you would likely ovulate on day 14 (with day 1 being the first day of your period). If your cycle is 30 days long, ovulation might occur on day 16. Keep in mind that not all cycles are the same length, so it's important to track it for a few months to get the average.
❤ Ovulation Predictor Kits (OPKs)
OPKs detect the luteinizing hormone (LH) surge that happens 24-48 hours before ovulation. Start testing a few days before your expected ovulation (based on your cycle length). A positive result indicates you're likely to ovulate within the next 1-2 days.
❤ Ovulation Apps (Eshe!)
Several apps help track menstrual cycles and predict ovulation based on your input (cycle length, symptoms, etc.). These apps use data from the calendar method to estimate your fertile window. You can use calendar in this app to calculate it. Green highlighter in the Eshe calendar estimates your ovulation!
Is there a way to stop pain when being intimate?
Pain during intimacy can be caused by various physical and emotional factors. How to reduce or stop the pain:
❥ Use a lubricant. A good-quality, water-based lubricant can help reduce friction and make intimacy more comfortable. Avoid lubricants with added chemicals or fragrances, as they can cause irritation.
❥ Communicate with your partner. Let them know what feels uncomfortable. More foreplay, changing positions, or slowing down can help you feel more relaxed and comfortable.
❥ Try relaxation techniques: Pelvic floor exercises, deep breathing, or yoga can help relax the pelvic muscles and reduce tension. Anxiety, stress, or past trauma can lead to pain or discomfort.
❥ Address medical conditions. If you suspect an infection or a medical condition like endometriosis or fibroids, it's important to consult with a healthcare provider for diagnosis and treatment.
❥ Hormonal treatments. If dryness is caused by low estrogen (due to menopause or other hormonal changes), talk to your doctor about vaginal estrogen creams or other hormonal treatments that might help.
If the pain persists despite trying various approaches, it is better to seek for a medical help.
Where can I find people to talk to about my issues?
You can join our group chats in WhatsApp! There are a lot of women from your country who would love to discuss things with you!
❤ Eshe Kenya https://chat.whatsapp.com/Fc9pDML2pOACslg2Xv2G5Y
❤ Eshe Nigeria https://chat.whatsapp.com/HIH4LY06uBA2MIEi1j2QNL