Short Period Cycle for One Or Two Days: What Does It Mean & Is It Normal?

Just like people, no two periods are similar. The length, intensity, PMS symptoms all differ, even if by just half a degree. But, if something changes drastically for no discernible reason all of a sudden, you are right to be alarmed.

It could be a result of lifestyle changes, medications, the first warning sign of a disorder or something else. Keep reading to find out what is the normal menstrual cycle, what short period means and the reasons you might be experiencing sudden changes in your menstrual cycle.

What is Short Period Days?

A normal menstrual cycle fluctuates between 28- 35 days. You might have a 29-day menstrual cycle in one month and in the very next you might have a cycle that’s 32 days long. This is not a cause to be concerned.

Most women experience periods that last around three to five days each month. A period that lasts for two days or goes on seven days is normal too. If you experience periods that last between 1-3 days, you have short periods.

What are the reasons that cause periods to last for short duration?

These could be some of the major short period reasons if you have noticed a change all of a sudden.

• Pregnancy
• Miscarriage
• Contraception

Can periods’ duration reduce during Pregnancy?

You might be experiencing a short ‘period’ because of pregnancy. In reality, it isn’t a period at all. During the beginning of a pregnancy, when the egg attaches itself to the walls of the uterus, implantation bleeding can happen.

This type of bleeding is lighter than a period and may last for only about 24-48 hours.

Not all pregnant women will experience implantation bleeding. To know more, head over to our blog ‘Menstruation and Pregnancy: All you need to know’

Can Miscarriage lead to Short Periods?

Sometimes, you might mistake a miscarriage for a period. This happens because you might not have been aware that you were pregnant in the first place. The bleeding could be light or heavy depending on how far along you were in your pregnancy. This leads to a short period after miscarriage.

Symptoms of a miscarriage look quite similar to that of a period. They can include the following:

• cramping
• pain in your abdomen or pelvic pain
• ack pain
• weakness

Can medication affect menstrual cycle?

Does taking medicines affect your period? In quite a few cases, it does.

Hormonal birth control pills or shots can cause menstrual cycles that are shorter and lighter than usual.

Birth control pills have hormones that might thin out the inner lining of the uterus. When there are not much tissues to shed, your period automatically becomes shorter and lighter. Some women stop experiencing a period at all.

If you’re on any of these medications, you might have shorter, less frequent or lighter periods.

• blood thinners
• antipsychotics or antidepressants
• types of steroids
• medications for treating cancer

Discuss possible side effects of any medication you take with your doctor. If you are getting ayurvedic or herbal treatments, you might have side effects that lead to a shorter period.

Can you get periods during an ectopic pregnancy?

An ectopic pregnancy happens when a fertilized egg attaches to the fallopian tubes, ovary, or cervix instead of the uterus. It’s commonly called a tubal pregnancy.

One of the first signs of an ectopic pregnancy is vaginal bleeding along with pelvic pain.

If a fertilized egg keeps growing in the fallopian tube, it can cause the tube to rupture. That can lead to heavy bleeding inside the abdomen.

Seek medical help right away if you experience symptoms of an ectopic pregnancy, such as:

• severe abdominal or pelvic pain, usually on one side
• fainting or dizziness
• abnormal vaginal bleeding
• rectal pressure

Common concerns

Bleeding or light period for one day or two might be a sign of pregnancy. but, if you’re worried about your period being shorter than usual, see a medical professional. They can help you figure out what’s going wrong and how to fix it.

Can you get pregnant without periods?

Contrary to popular belief, pregnancy is more closely related to ovulation than periods. So, you can get pregnant without getting periods. Without period pregnancy is possible, and this is the case for a lot of women who experience irregular periods. It is also possible to experience the reverse: periods without ovulation.