Dealing with menstruation is common pain women share, forcing the ladies to take in an influx of PMS symptoms like cramps, bloating, and intense food cravings. Most women who have a regular menstrual cycle know that its all part of the natural process, but some may be surprised when a curveball throws you off the usual symptoms you expect.
Before you get lost in a bloody panic, research finds that women’s period shifts through the years. Seeing as it is an indicator of your health, it makes sense that your monthly flow alters as you transition between your 20s, 30s, and 40s due to your maturing hormones.
What to Expect in the Menstrual Cycle in Your 20s
The flow of your period during your early 20s is stabilizing as it adjusts from the irregular ovulation you experience in your teens. As you move forward in your young adulthood, your period can arrive on a monthly basis, wherein it brings forth a plethora of PMS symptoms like cramping, bloating, and breast tenderness.
This is a period of predictability for your menstrual cycle, wherein 80 percent occur within 21 to 44 days counting from the first day. However, there are also other changes that can manifest as this is the age where women take contraceptive pills, which can reduce PMS symptoms and result in lighter bloodshed.
What to Expect in the Menstrual Cycle in Your 30s
The transition from your 20s to 30s should be relatively smooth, which translates to your menstrual cycle as it should remain regular with a predictable and consistent flow. When you notice a shift in your period – such as a heavier flow or intensifying cramps are red flags that indicate trouble for your health.
This increases your risk of developing endometriosis or fibroids, both of which are disorders that affect the lining of your uterus during your 30s. Other major changes that can impact your menstrual cycle include childbirth, which also affects your breastfeeding.
Pregnancy can put a pause on your flow and will only resurface until six weeks after the delivery, but it can delay its comeback if you continue to breastfeed. Your cycle will come back after you stop nursing, but expect to deal with long-term fluctuations in your cycle.
What to Expect in the Menstrual Cycle in Your 40s
Your 40s is the mark of years-long of changes in your menstrual cycle, all of which go through hormonal fluctuations until you inevitably reach menopause. The rapid changes can cause your ovulation to become irregular, which consists of a juggle between heavier flow, missing periods, long stretches of cramping, spotting, and more.
Keep in mind that a woman is only in menopause if the menstrual cycle has stopped for at least a year, which means that pregnancy is not out of the picture so long as you still get a period.
The Bottom Line
Understanding your menstrual cycle isn’t just about knowing when to expect your flow. It gives you a glimpse of your overall health, so knowing your cycle can help you spot unusual symptoms that are worth checking with your doctor.
If you’re looking for more information on menstrual changes to expect throughout the years, browse our website for a dose of healthcare tips, news, and everything in between.
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