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Is It Normal to Have Two Periods in One Month?

causes of getting two period in a month

No, it’s not considered normal to have two periods in one month, especially if it happens consistently. However, there are situations where it can occur. The typical menstrual cycle lasts between 24 and 38 days, with 28 days being the average. Because calendar months are slightly longer than the average cycle, it’s possible to have two periods in one month, especially if your cycle is naturally on the shorter side.

Infrequent episodes of this kind are usually not cause for concern. But if it happens regularly or is accompanied by symptoms like heavy bleeding, pain, or fatigue, it could indicate a hormonal imbalance or another underlying medical condition. In such cases, it’s important to consult a GP or menstrual health provider for a proper assessment.

Common Causes of Having Two Periods in One Month

Several factors can influence how often you menstruate. Understanding the underlying causes can help you know when to monitor and when to seek medical advice.

1. Adolescence and Puberty

In the early years after menstruation begins, cycles are often irregular. Hormonal fluctuations can lead to shorter or longer cycles, making two periods in one month relatively common in teens.

2. Perimenopause

The transition to menopause, known as perimenopause, typically begins in the mid-40s but can start earlier. During this phase, hormone levels fluctuate, and menstrual cycles may become shorter, longer, heavier, lighter—or occur more frequently than usual.

3. Stress and Lifestyle Factors

Emotional stress, disrupted sleep, travel, sudden weight changes, or intense exercise can affect hormone regulation. These changes can temporarily disrupt your cycle and may lead to more frequent bleeding.

4. Thyroid Conditions

The thyroid gland helps regulate many bodily functions, including menstruation. Both an overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism) and an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism) can cause irregular or more frequent periods.

5. Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)

While many people with PCOS experience infrequent or absent periods, some may have irregular and more frequent bleeding due to unpredictable hormone levels.

6. Uterine Conditions

Non-cancerous growths like fibroids or polyps in the uterus can cause symptoms such as heavy or prolonged bleeding, bleeding between periods, or frequent menstrual cycles.

7. Contraceptive Changes

Adjusting to a new method of hormonal contraception (like the pill, hormonal IUD, patch, or implant) can cause temporary changes in menstrual patterns. Missed pills or changes in routine may also trigger breakthrough bleeding or spotting.

8. Pregnancy-Related Bleeding

What may appear as a second period could actually be light bleeding due to implantation or early pregnancy. If pregnancy is possible, consider taking a test and follow up with your GP.

9. Infections or Inflammation

Pelvic infections, including sexually transmitted infections (STIs) or pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), can cause bleeding between periods or unusual spotting. These often require prompt medical attention.

When to Seek Medical Advice

Occasional irregular bleeding may not require intervention, but it’s best to consult a GP if you notice:

  • Two periods a month for two or more consecutive cycles
  • Very heavy bleeding or passing large clots
  • Bleeding that lasts longer than a week
  • Painful periods or severe pelvic cramping
  • Bleeding between periods or after sex
  • Signs of anaemia, such as tiredness, dizziness, or breathlessness

Read More: Period Pain: When Is It Normal and When Should You Seek Help?

How to Track Your Menstrual Cycle

Monitoring your menstrual cycle can help you understand your body’s patterns and spot irregularities early. Use a calendar or a menstrual tracking app to log:

  • Start and end dates of your period
  • Flow intensity (light, moderate, heavy)
  • Pain levels or cramping
  • Mood changes or other symptoms (e.g. bloating, headaches)

Bringing this information to your GP can assist in making a diagnosis if your cycles become irregular or symptomatic.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can having two periods in a month mean I’m pregnant?

While you cannot have true periods during pregnancy, some women experience implantation bleeding or hormonal spotting early in pregnancy, which may be mistaken for a light period. If pregnancy is a possibility, take a home pregnancy test and consult your doctor.

Is it normal to get a period every two weeks?

Occasional short cycles may occur due to temporary hormone shifts, stress, or lifestyle changes. However, regular bleeding every two weeks may indicate an underlying issue such as a thyroid condition, PCOS, or uterine abnormality.

Can hormonal birth control cause irregular periods?

Yes. Hormonal contraceptives can lead to breakthrough bleeding, especially in the first few months of use or if doses are missed. If irregular bleeding continues beyond a few cycles, it’s worth discussing with your GP.

Could frequent periods affect my fertility?

Irregular or frequent bleeding may signal ovulation problems, which could affect fertility. If you’re trying to conceive and notice cycle changes, seek advice from a GP or fertility specialist.

Could this be an early sign of menopause?

More frequent or irregular periods are often seen in the lead-up to menopause. If you’re over 40 and notice changes in your cycle, your GP can assess hormone levels and discuss symptoms related to perimenopause.

Can infections cause more frequent periods?

Yes. Infections such as pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) or some STIs can cause unusual or increased bleeding. These require prompt diagnosis and treatment to prevent complications.

Be on Top of Your Menstrual Health

Changes in your menstrual cycle can be influenced by many factors, ranging from lifestyle to underlying medical conditions. While having two periods in one month isn’t always a concern, it’s important to understand your body’s patterns and know when to seek advice.

If you’re experiencing ongoing changes in your cycle, heavy bleeding, or discomfort, speak to a healthcare professional. Early evaluation can help identify and manage any underlying issues and support your overall reproductive health.

At Sirona Women’s Health Clinic, our experienced menstrual health GPs provide compassionate, confidential care tailored to your needs. We’re committed to helping you take control of your reproductive health at every stage of life.

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At Sirona Women’s Health, we’re dedicated to providing you with the personalised, high-quality care you deserve. Our experienced all-female clinic, serving Annerley and the Greater Brisbane area, is ready to listen, support, and empower you through every stage of your healthcare journey.

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What we do

INTRODUCTION

This privacy policy is to provide information to you, our patient, on how your personal information (which includes your health information) is collected and used within our practice, and the circumstances in which we may share it with third parties. Our obligations are set under the Privacy Act 1988.

WHAT IS PRIVACY?

As an individual, the Privacy Act grants you enhanced authority over the management of your personal data. Under the Privacy Act, you have the right to:

  • Understand the purpose behind the collection of your personal data, its intended use, and who will have access to it.
  • Opt not to disclose your identity or to use an alias in specific situations.
  • Request access to your personal data, including health information.
  • Cease receiving unsolicited direct marketing communications.
  • Request correction of any inaccuracies in your personal information.
  • Lodge a complaint against an organization or agency covered by the Privacy Act if you believe they have mishandled your personal information.

WHY AND WHEN YOUR CONSENT IS NECESSARY

By becoming a patient at our practice, you grant consent for our general practitioners and practice personnel to access and utilize your personal data to deliver optimal healthcare services. Access to your personal information will be restricted to staff members who require it for your care. Should there arise a necessity to utilize your information for purposes beyond healthcare provision, we will obtain your explicit consent beforehand.

HOW CAN YOU LODGE A PRIVACY RELATED COMPLAINT AND HOW THE COMPLAINT WILL BE HANDLED AT OUR PRACTICE

We treat privacy-related complaints and concerns with utmost seriousness. We encourage you to communicate any privacy issues you may have in written form. Subsequently, we will endeavor to address and resolve them in accordance with our established resolution procedure. Complaints can be forwarded to our Practice Manager delivered to 1/720 Ipswich Road, Annerley 4103. You may also wish to have a confidential chat with our Practice Manager beforehand. Our Practice Manager can be reached by phoning our practice during business hours – Monday – Friday. All complaints are likely to be responded to and actioned within 2 business days.

WHY DO WE COLLECT, USE, HOLD AND SHARE YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION

To deliver healthcare services effectively, our practice requires the collection of your personal information. Our primary objective in collecting, utilizing, storing, and managing your personal data is to oversee your healthcare needs. Additionally, we employ this information for associated business activities, including financial transactions, practice evaluations, accreditation processes, and operational functions such as staff training.

DEALING WITH OUT PRACTICE ANONYMOUSLY

You possess the right to engage with us anonymously or under a pseudonym, unless such actions are deemed impractical, or unless legal obligations or authorizations necessitate interaction solely with identified individuals.

WHAT TYPES OF INFORMATION DO WE COLLECT?

Your doctor relies on information regarding your past and present health to deliver quality care. Data pertaining to your health, medical history, or anticipated medical treatments is termed “personal health information” if it enables someone to identify you.

Our practice adheres to the Guidelines on Privacy in the Private Health Sector outlined by the Office of the Federal Privacy Commissioner. This commitment ensures the confidentiality and security of your personal health information.

We maintain a documented policy outlining the handling of your personal health information, which is accessible to all patients for review.

The information we collect encompasses:

  • Names, date of birth, addresses, and contact details
  • Medical details including medical history, medications, allergies, adverse events, immunizations, social history, family history, and risk factors
  • Medicare number (where available) for identification and claiming purposes
  • Healthcare identifiers
  • Health fund details

HOW WE COLLECT YOUR PERSONAL HEALTH INFORMATION

Our practice may gather your personal information through various channels:

  • During your initial appointment, our staff will collect your personal and demographic details as part of the registration process.
  • Throughout the provision of medical services, we may gather additional personal information.
  • Your personal information may also be obtained when you interact with us via our website, email, SMS, telephone calls, online appointments, or social media.
  • In certain situations, personal information may be sourced from other avenues, as it may not always be feasible or reasonable to collect it directly from you. This may involve information obtained from your guardian or responsible person, other healthcare providers involved in your care (such as specialists, allied health professionals, hospitals, community health services, pathology, and diagnostic imaging services), as well as pertinent information from your health fund, Medicare, or the Department of Veterans’ Affairs when necessary.

PRIVACY AND ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS

Our practice frequently receives communications via email, however in order to adhere to Australian Privacy Principals and ensure a more efficient and reliable service for our patients, we have transitioned away from email as our primary form of communication.

It’s important to note that our practice also does not engage in communication with patients via social media. We have implemented a social media policy to ensure adherence to professional standards. If you would like a copy of this policy, please inform our reception staff.

Our patients are still able to submit non-urgent enquiries via email or via our website however depending on the nature of the enquiry, should expect a 2 day turn around. For more urgent matters, we encourage our patients to phone our Practice during business hours – Monday-Friday.

Privacy is a priority for us, even on our website. Here’s how we ensure your privacy is respected:

  • Secure Connection: Our website is encrypted to protect your data when you interact with us online.
  • Limited Data Collection: We only collect necessary personal information on our website, and we’re transparent about what we collect and why.
  • Data Protection Measures: We employ robust security measures to safeguard any information you provide on our website from unauthorized access or misuse.
  • Third-Party Policies: If our website uses third-party services (like analytics or social media plugins), we ensure they also prioritize user privacy.
  • Cookie Policy: We inform you about our use of cookies and give you options to manage your preferences.
  • Clear Communication: We’re upfront about our privacy practices and provide easy-to-understand

WHERE WE STORE AND PROTECT PERSONAL HEALTH INFORMATION

This practice utilizes electronic records for efficient management of patient information. Any physical documents such as specialist letters, X-rays, CT scans, and pathology results received via post are securely stored away from public view until they are scanned into our computer system. Once the necessary actions have been taken, these documents are securely destroyed following appropriate protocols.

To ensure the security of personal health information, our practice implements various measures including screen savers, passwords, anti-viral software, firewalls, regular data backups, and maintenance routines.

Your doctor is committed to maintaining the integrity of your medical record, ensuring that it is:

  • Accurate, comprehensive, well-organized, and legible
  • Up-to-date
  • Sufficiently informative for another healthcare provider to deliver care
  • Free of offensive or irrelevant remarks
  • Includes a summary of your care
  • Can be used, with your permission, to remind you of follow-up appointments, checkups, and reviews

Your doctor will only collect information that is pertinent to your medical care. If you have any concerns or questions regarding the information being requested, don’t hesitate to ask your doctor for clarification.

WHEN, WHY AND WITH WHOM DO WE SHARE YOUR PERSONAL HEALTH INFORMATION

We occasionally share your personal information in the following circumstances:

  • With third parties collaborating with our practice for business purposes, such as accreditation agencies or information technology providers. These third parties are obligated to adhere to the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs) and our privacy policy.
  • With other healthcare providers involved in your care.
  • When required or authorized by law, such as in response to court subpoenas.
  • In situations where it is necessary to mitigate or prevent a serious threat to a patient’s life, health, or safety, or to public health or safety, or when obtaining the patient’s consent is impractical.
  • To aid in locating a missing person or to establish, exercise, or defend a legal claim.
  • For confidential dispute resolution processes.
  • When statutory requirements mandate sharing certain personal information, such as mandatory notification of certain diseases.
  • As part of providing medical services, including through electronic transfer of prescriptions and My Health Record.
  • When booking appointments online via Hotdoc.

Access to your information is restricted to individuals who require it for legitimate purposes. Outside of providing medical services or as outlined in this policy, our practice will not share personal information with any third party without your written consent.

We will not disclose your personal information to entities outside Australia (except under exceptional circumstances permitted by law) without your written consent. Our practice will refrain from using your personal information for direct marketing of our goods or services without your explicit consent. If you do consent, you retain the right to opt out of direct marketing at any time by notifying our practice in writing.

Your personal information may be utilized by our practice to enhance the quality of services we offer through research and analysis of patient data. We may provide de-identified data to other organizations to improve population health outcomes. This information is securely stored within Australia, and patients cannot be individually identified. If you prefer not to have your information included, please inform our reception staff.

HOW YOU CAN ACCESS AND CORRECT YOUR PERSONAL HEALTH INFORMATION

You have the right to access the information contained in your medical record. We believe that sharing information fosters good communication between you and your doctor, promoting optimal healthcare.

Upon request, your doctor can provide you with an accurate and up-to-date summary of your care, such as when you are relocating and transitioning to a new healthcare provider. Feel free to ask your doctor for a summary of your care for any reason. If you request access to your full medical record or a summary, your doctor may need to redact any information provided by others on a confidential basis.

Your doctor must also consider the potential risk of physical or mental harm to you or others that could arise from disclosing your health information. While there are circumstances where access may be denied, you will be informed of the reasons if this occurs. In most cases, your doctor will gladly provide a thorough explanation of the health summary or medical record provided. Please note that a small but reasonable administration fee may be charged for such access, as well as the time spent with your doctor.

If you discover that the information in your record is inaccurate, incomplete, or outdated, our practice will take reasonable steps to rectify it. We may periodically ask you to confirm that your personal information held by our practice is correct and current. Additionally, you can request corrections or updates to your information by submitting written requests to our practice via email.

We do not recommend erasing information from your record, as this may lead to incomplete documentation.

POLICY REVIEW STATEMENT

This privacy policy undergoes regular review to ensure alignment with any changes that may arise. A copy of the most recent version of the privacy policy will always be accessible at the reception desk for your reference.

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Please write your details as they appear on your Medicare Card.
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Sirona Women’s Health acknowledge the Traditional Owners and Custodians of the lands on which we work and pay our respects to Indigenous Elders past, present and emerging.
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Do you consent to Sirona Women’s Health sending you SMS reminders for your upcoming appointments/clinical reminders?
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I acknowledge that I have read and comprehend the practice privacy brochure (copy found on our website).
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