It’s common to wonder if your menstrual cycle fits within the definition of “normal,” particularly when you compare yours with others. It’s possible that there’s a wide range of variance within a small group of friends.
Gynecologist John A. Whitfield, MD, and his team serve the Fort Worth, Texas, area, reassuring patients when their periods fall within the normal range and helping them with diagnosis and treatment when things become irregular.
In this blog, let’s look at the menstrual cycle and what it means to have irregular or regular cycles, so you can recognize when it’s time to visit Dr. Whitfield.
To know if your cycle is irregular, it’s important to know what defines the norm. The key aspects of a regular menstrual cycle include:
As for the rate of menstrual flow, that varies widely, even inside normal cycles.
Perhaps one of the best ways to recognize an irregular period is to understand your own consistency from month to month. It takes about three years at the start of a teen’s cycles for hormones to stabilize into regular patterns.
At this point, a personal cycle usually becomes clear. While there are always month-to-month variations like changes in flow, duration, or symptoms, these exist within conditions you recognize as your own “normal.”
Factor in your consistency when considering months that differ. Some of the key signs you’re experiencing irregular cycles are:
While one irregular cycle may seem like an outlier, don’t let multiple irregular periods go by without investigating. Early detection often makes treatment easier.
It’s time to make an appointment with Dr. Whitfield and his team when:
You know your body best. Knowing your cycle and recognizing its changes are key parts of reproductive health self-care.
When the time comes, contact John A. Whitfield, MD, for diagnosis and treatment of your irregular cycles. Call 817-927-2229 to book an appointment today.
