Why do you have long menstrual cycles and what to do?

Beliefs die hard: since time immemorial, it has been assumed that women's menstrual cycles aligned with the lunar cycles of the moon. The perfect menstrual cycle lasted 28 days. Except that the reality is quite different. Women sometimes see their menstrual cycles last between 17 and 40 days without it being a problem! Not to mention the variations that can occur from one cycle to another! In this article, we discuss long menstrual cycles together: what do they mean, is it normal to have long menstrual cycles and does it harm your fertility? Let's answer your questions about long cycles together.

Let's start at the beginning: what is a menstrual cycle?

The menstrual cycle is a natural cyclical process that brings together all the physiological phenomena of menstruating people preparing their bodies for possible fertilization. It repeats itself, most of the time without interruption, in the bodies of people of reproductive age from puberty to menopause.

The menstrual cycle is divided into four distinct phases :

• The menstrual phase: also called “period”, this phase corresponds to the evacuation by the body of the previous cycle (unfertilized egg and uterine lining);
• The follicular phase: This phase begins at the same time as the menstrual phase. It is the phase during which the eggs grow inside the ovaries, in the ovarian follicles. One of them becomes dominant: this is the one that will be released by the ovaries at the time of ovulation;
• The ovulatory phase: During this phase, the egg is released. It travels through the fallopian tubes toward the uterus. This is the time of the cycle when menstruating people are fertile;
• The luteal phase: This phase coincides with the end of the follicular phase. Once the dominant egg is released, it is replaced in the ovarian follicle by a corpus luteum. The latter releases progesterone, which prepares the body for potential fertilization: the endometrium (uterine lining) thickens to accommodate the egg, the mucus becomes stringy to facilitate the movement of sperm in the body, etc. If ovulation does not occur, hormone levels gradually decrease and the body expels the unfertilized egg: this is menstruation. A new cycle begins.

Also read: Which menstrual protection should you choose? >

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What about a long menstrual cycle?

A long menstrual cycle is one that lasts longer than 31 days . When the cycle lasts longer than 35 days, it is called oligomenorrhea . Some women may even have menstrual cycles that exceed 40 days.

Although the average length of a menstrual cycle is estimated at 28 days, it can vary greatly from one woman to another without this indicating a health problem. A majority of women have a menstrual cycle between 24 and 32 days, with an average of 28 days. However, some women can have much shorter or much longer menstrual cycles .

⚡The length of your menstrual cycle alone is not enough to signal poor health or potential infertility. Many women have long cycles without it being a problem! Beyond the length of your menstrual cycle, we recommend that you monitor its variations. Menstrual cycle disruption is a topic to be monitored in particular.

Also read:

Hormonal imbalance: causes and symptoms >

How long is a menstrual cycle? >

The phases of a long menstrual cycle

In a menstrual cycle that lasts 35 days, the duration of the phases that make it up is estimated to be distributed as follows:

• 21 days for the follicular phase: the menstrual phase (period) and the follicular phase begin at the same time. Note: just because the menstrual cycle is long does not mean the period is too long;
• 1 day for ovulation
• 14 days for the luteal phase : this last phase begins at the same time as the ovulatory phase.

My menstrual cycle is longer than usual: why and what are the causes?

In the vast majority of cases, it is the pre-ovulatory period which lengthens and thus causes longer menstrual cycles.

The follicular phase is the phase during which the egg matures in the ovaries before being released at the time of ovulation. In an average 28-day cycle, this phase typically lasts 14 days. In a 35-day menstrual cycle, the follicular phase lasts 21 days.

There are many reasons for the lengthening of the pre-ovulatory period:

Naturally long cycles without any physiological abnormalities:

It's not uncommon to have a 33- or 35-day cycle. This characteristic is often linked to heredity and genetics. Ask the women in your family to find out more!

Natural variations related to age:

At the beginning and end of ovarian life (puberty and menopause), hormones responsible for the proper functioning of menstrual cycles can be disrupted. The resulting menstrual cycles can be long.

Stopping hormonal contraception:

If you have just stopped taking the pill or had your hormonal IUD removed, it may take a while for your cycle to restart. It may be longer during the first few months.

To support your body during this period of hormonal transition, Miyé's female hormonal balance supplements can help you regain a regular cycle.

Sudden weight loss or gain:

Eating disorders and obesity are linked to significant hormonal variations. These can cause a lengthening of the follicular period, thus leading to a lengthening of the menstrual cycle.

Very intense physical activity:

Because very intense physical activity leads to a calorie deficit and stress, it can cause hormonal imbalances which in turn lead to a lengthening of the menstrual cycle.

Stress :

Hormones are central to the proper functioning of the menstrual cycle. However, stress, whether situational (exams, breakups, marriage, deaths, etc.) or chronic, disrupts the hormones of the menstrual cycle by causing the body to secrete other hormones.

To help rebalance your hormones in the face of stress, Sova's Ovastart dietary supplements are specially formulated for women suffering from hormonal imbalances.

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Certain medications:

Medications can cause delayed ovulation and thus lengthen the menstrual cycle. Do not hesitate to talk to your doctor if you notice this effect.

Breastfeeding and postpartum period:

Prolactin is a hormone that is produced in the body during breastfeeding to activate the mammary glands and produce milk. It also acts to slow down the hormones in the menstrual cycle to prevent the breastfeeding woman from becoming pregnant again too quickly. It can help lengthen menstrual cycles.

In very rare cases, a series of early miscarriages:

which can delay the onset of periods for several cycles in a row.

Let's lift the veil on the myths surrounding long cycles

What if we started by reassuring you? Long cycles, like short cycles, are accompanied by myths and beliefs that we need to explain! By better understanding how your body works, you will be better able to respond to the challenges it faces.

Myth #1: A long cycle means infertility

No, a long cycle does not in any way mean “infertility” or even difficulty getting pregnant.

As we discussed in this article, there are many causes of long cycles. Some are completely natural and normal (heredity or age) and have no impact on fertility, while others are related to health issues. These can hinder fertility if left untreated.

Myth #2: A long cycle is abnormal

The often-cited "norm" is a 28-day cycle, but in reality, many women have cycles that deviate from this key figure. Menstrual cycles that last 26 to 30 days are considered average, while cycles shorter than 26 days are considered short and cycles longer than 30 days are considered long. Thus, we speak of polymenorrhea when cycles are shorter than 21 days and oligomenorrhea when they exceed 35 days. These durations can be pathological and require a consultation to ensure that everything is okay.

In other words, a cycle longer than 28 days is not abnormal . It becomes abnormal when it lasts 35 days or more, and this duration requires consultation with a healthcare professional. However, a cycle longer than 35 days does not necessarily have a pathological origin and can be completely normal and harmless to health and fertility.

Myth #3: Heavy flow is normal with a long cycle

Contrary to popular belief, heavy flow and long cycle have nothing to do with each other . Cycle length is the time it takes for the body to create, release, and expel an egg, while flow is the amount of menstruation and the waste expelled during the menstrual phase. To go further, the length of the menstrual cycle also has nothing to do with the length of a period.

Confusion can arise from the fact that a long cycle is sometimes linked to a health problem (such as endometriosis) which is the cause of the heavy periods.

If your flow is particularly heavy, it's perfectly fine to seek medical advice to find out more. If the intensity of your flow is causing you problems, try using menstrual panties for very heavy flow, which will support you throughout your day.

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A hemorrhagic flow can lead to various health problems (notably anemia) and be disabling in daily life.

Find the menstrual protection that's right for you and your flow here.

Myth #4: A long cycle is always linked to polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS)

While polycystic ovary syndrome can be one cause of longer menstrual cycles, it is by no means the only cause.

As we mentioned earlier in this article, there are several possible causes. Some are natural, such as heredity and age, while others are actually related to health issues, such as PCOS. If you think your long cycles are not “normal,” you may want to consult a healthcare professional. Further down in this article, we offer 6 questions to ask yourself before worrying.

Myth #5: Long cycles always require treatment

No, long menstrual cycles do not always require treatment .

At the risk of repeating ourselves: there are several causes that can lead to long menstrual cycles. Some are completely natural, such as heredity and age, and may not require treatment. Disease-related causes, on the other hand, can be managed or alleviated with treatment. Your healthcare professional will be able to advise you based on your profile and your issues.

When should you worry?

There will be no need to worry in the same way if your menstrual cycle is regularly long or if it is occasionally longer than usual.

When to worry if your cycle is regularly long?

If your menstrual cycle is consistently long (32 days, 35 days, or 38 days), there's no need to worry. It's entirely possible that your menstrual cycle is naturally long and that this is due to hereditary causes. If your family is open to discussion, don't hesitate to talk to the women in your family to find out more. You may even spot similarities between you!

It may be a cause for concern if your cycle regularly exceeds 35 days. While this length is still quite far from the average length of 26 to 30 days, it may be caused by underlying issues, and a consultation would be helpful to find out more.

When to worry if your cycle is occasionally longer?

While your cycles are regular, one of them becomes longer and you start to worry. In this case, there are three times to worry when your period doesn't start as expected:

1. As soon as your menstrual cycle ends if you have had unprotected sex / without contraception. You may be pregnant! Take a pregnancy test.
2. If the irregularity exceeds 9 days: Cycles of varying lengths are a daily occurrence for many women, and a delayed cycle doesn't necessarily mean there's a problem. If your cycle is delayed, start by taking a pregnancy test, and if it comes back negative, track your cycle for three months before getting really concerned.
3. Beyond a period-free cycle: it's been almost 60 days since you last had your period and a negative pregnancy test ruled out the risk of pregnancy? Start by taking a second test, in case of a false negative (done too early, a pregnancy test can be negative even though fertilization has indeed occurred). Amenorrhea (absence of periods) is a medical condition that can be explained by various causes, such as menopause and early menopause, stress, anorexia nervosa, or even endometriosis. Don't hesitate to consult a doctor if you no longer have a period after 60 days.

Will I have to take treatment?

Just because you have long cycles doesn't necessarily mean you need to take medication. It all depends on the reasons why your cycles are long and why you're seeking help. Also note that, in addition to medication, your healthcare professional may prescribe hormonal contraception to regulate the length of your cycles.

Cases that may lead to treatment

If you have long cycles, it is possible that after examination, your gynecologist will suggest treatments if:

• Hormonal imbalances/illnesses: If you suffer from a hormonal imbalance or an illness that lengthens your menstrual cycles, you will need to take medication to treat the illness. This may result in a shorter cycle, but not necessarily: the body has its own way of functioning and it is possible that it will maintain its rhythm even after the condition or imbalance is managed.
• Conception plan: if you have consulted because you are considering having a baby or because you are having difficulty conceiving, it is possible that the gynecologist will prescribe treatment to help you in this process.
• Discomfort: If the irregularity of your cycles is making your life miserable, your gynecologist may be able to prescribe treatments to help you cope with the discomfort caused by your periods.

Existing treatments for long menstrual cycles

The range of treatments and possible solutions is as wide as the range of factors that cause a long menstrual cycle. Indeed, the treatment for a long menstrual cycle depends essentially on the cause of the phenomenon and the reasons for which you seek medical help.

Thus, one of the answers provided to respond to a long menstrual cycle of natural order is the taking of hormonal contraception . The latter allows to trigger the periods artificially and thus to find a cycle as close as possible to 28 days.

This solution will not be interesting if you are planning a baby or if you suffer from an illness and/or hormonal imbalance. In this case, your gynecologist can prescribe concentrated hormones to chemically trigger a cycle or offer you a treatment to address the illness you are suffering from.

7 questions to ask yourself before seeing a gynecologist

Before consulting a gynecologist about your long menstrual cycles, here are 6 questions you should ask yourself. This will help you feel reassured and know what topics to discuss with him, if necessary.

1. How long is my period usually?

If your cycles have always been longer than average, this may simply be the normal length for you. However, if you notice a sudden change in your cycle length, it's worth asking yourself: this may be a sign of an underlying problem!

2. Are my periods very heavy?

Heavy periods are not related to long cycles. However, heavy periods can be a symptom of a health condition that warrants attention, such as endometriosis or PCOS. This information will be of interest to a gynecologist.

3. Do I have bleeding between my periods?

Spotting or actual bleeding between periods can be a sign of hormonal imbalance or a sexually transmitted disease. It's important to report this to your gynecologist when you see them.

4. What other symptoms do I have?

Severe abdominal pain, heavy menstrual bleeding, bleeding between periods, sudden weight changes, severe acne, excessive facial or body hair, fatigue, or mood swings are some of the symptoms that may raise concerns. They may be a sign of hormonal imbalance or other health problems. You should bring them to the attention of your doctor. While waiting for an appointment, you can also regulate your emotional and physical imbalances related to hormonal fluctuations with Miyé's solution: My Feminine Balance .

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5. Has my lifestyle changed recently?

Upcoming exams, burnout, moving, breakup/divorce, death/difficult grief… all of these life events can be synonymous with stress. Stress has a significant effect on the hormones that regulate menstrual cycles and therefore on the proper functioning of menstrual cycles. If this speaks to you, check out our products dedicated to stress such as CBD oil, anti-stress infusions, relaxing bath salts...

6. What contraceptive methods do you use?

The hormones released into the body by hormonal contraceptive methods can impact the smooth running of your menstrual cycles. Some pills can help lengthen your cycles. It's simply possible that your contraception is no longer suitable. This is also information you should share with your healthcare professional.

7. Are you trying to conceive?

If you're trying to conceive and have long menstrual cycles, this can make it harder to predict ovulation and thus your fertility window. This can make conception more complex: don't hesitate to talk to your healthcare professional so they can help you with this project. Also, discover our solutions to help you with your pregnancy plan.

If the answer to one (or more) of these questions is "yes," we recommend consulting a healthcare professional . You'll discuss your symptoms and determine whether there's anything to worry about. They'll suggest further testing if necessary. Don't panic: while symptoms can be stressful, there are plenty of treatment options available to help normalize your cycle and reduce discomfort!

Living well with long cycles: advice from our experts

Our community's questions/answers

If you still have questions after reading this article, you can send them to us via our chat, by email at hello@gapianne.com or by PM on Instagram. We don't intend to replace your doctor in any way, but these questions and answers are intended to help other women find solutions and answers!

Is it possible to have a 40-day cycle?

Yes, it is possible to have a 40-day cycle. And yes, it is possible to have a 40-day cycle and be fertile and healthy. However, it is recommended to consult a doctor about this to ensure everything is okay—cycles longer than 35 days are quite far from the average length of 26 to 30 days.

Is it normal to have a 45-day cycle?

We tend to say that there is no standard for menstrual cycle length, but we can still say that there is an average, and the average is 26 to 30 days. A 45-day menstrual cycle is therefore very far from the average length. However, it is possible to have a 40-day cycle and be fertile and healthy. We still advise you to consult a specialist about this to make sure everything is going well.

What is the maximum duration of an irregular cycle?

There is no recorded maximum duration for an irregular cycle (because it straddles two menstrual cycles), but some women report cycles lasting more than 60 days. This is particularly the case during premenopause, when hormones decline in the body and reproductive functions slow down. It is important to note, however, that a cycle can be very long at times without this being considered worrisome or pathological. Indeed, cycles can be impacted by multiple factors.