The period in a menstruating woman should be every 25 to 36 days. However, it is not unusual for women at some point in their reproductive years to experience an abnormally early menstrual cycle. This can be due to many factors, some of which can be prevented and some inherited.
Perimenopause
Menopause is the natural ending of a woman's reproductive years. This should generally occur between the ages of 45 and 55, according to Medline Plus. Menopause has three stages--perimenopause, menopause and post-menopause. Post-menopause occurs when a woman has missed her menstrual cycle for 12 months consecutively. Menopause occurs from day one of a woman's first missed menstrual cycle, and perimenopause is the two- to eight-year transitional stage that occurs before menopause begins. Women who are in the state of perimenopause will usually have irregular menstrual cycles, which may be heavy, scanty, prolonged or short, spotty or too close together. These irregularities are due to the sudden rise and fall of the hormone estrogen. Symptoms of perimenopause include mood swings, hot flashes, sleepiness and vaginal dryness. There is no cure for perimenopause, but symptoms may be treated by using oral contraceptives or hormone replacement pills. Both of these medications work to regulate the hormone levels, which reduces symptoms.
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
During a menstrual cycle, the brain releases a hormone called luteinizing hormone. Luteinizing hormone signals to the ovaries to produce estrogen. Estrogen works to stimulate the ovaries into producing eggs and is also responsible for menstruation. Women with polycystic ovary syndrome release a higher than normal level of luteinizing hormone, which in turn causes levels of estrogen and progesterone to be off-balance. The imbalance of these hormones cause a lack of ovulation and irregularities within the menstrual cycle. Women with polycystic ovary syndrome often experience heavier menstrual cycles, prolonged menstrual bleeding, short menstrual cycles, absent menstrual cycles, male-pattern hair growth, hair thinning and weight gain. Women with this condition also develop multiple cysts within their ovaries. Researchers are not entirely sure of what causes polycystic ovary syndrome, although they speculate that genetics may play a part, according to MayoClinic.com. Treatments for polycystic ovary syndrome usually consist of symptomatic treatment.
Hormonal Imbalances
The menstrual cycle usually consists of three to seven days of bleeding approximately every 28 days, according to Netdoctor. This process is governed by several hormones from the brain and sex organs within a woman. The pituitary gland--located in the brain--releases luteinizing and follicle-stimulating hormone, which work with estrogen and progesterone to cause menstruation and ovulation. If any of these hormones are off-balance, it can cause reproductive disorders and irregularities in the menstrual cycle. Some women are genetically predisposed to certain reproductive disorders, such as polycystic ovary syndrome or endometriosis, which may manipulate hormone production. In addition, certain outside factors such as stress, too much exercise and obesity can cause the hormones to be off-balance.
