What does a Period in Your 20s Look Like?

In your 20s, you may find your menstrual cycles settled into a more regular rhythm compared to your teenage years. A 'normal' menstrual cycle lasts between 21-35 days, with periods lasting from 3-7 days and average blood loss of 30-40 milliliters per cycle.

Sometimes, your periods can also vary outside this range. While some irregularities are normal, you may want to pay attention to the following:

1. Painful Menstruation

Painful menstruation, or dysmenorrhea, involves cramping in the abdomen area and often comes with other symptoms such as diarrhea, nausea, and headache.

If your pain starts to intervene with your daily activities, seek medical attention immediately as it could be a sign of underlying conditions such as endometriosis. Endometriosis often goes undiagnosed in young women as it is mistaken for a 'regular' cramp.

2. Heavy Menstrual Bleeding

Blood loss exceeding 80 milliliters per cycle is generally considered heavy menstrual bleeding or menorrhagia. Some indicators of menorrhagia include:

• Prolonged period: Bleeding lasts more than 7 days
• Excessive blood loss: Period that soaks through one or more tampons or pads every hour for several hours in a row, needing to wear more than one pad at a time, needing to change pads or tampons during the night.
• Large blood clots: Blood clots that are as big as a quarter (2.4 cm) or larger.

3. PCOS

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) often manifests in late adolescence or early 20s. Its symptoms involve irregular periods, heavy menstrual bleeding, acne, weight gain, and excess hair growth. PCOS is also one of the leading causes of infertility due to anovulation (lack of ovulation).

4. Your Stress Level

Your 20s can often be filled with significant transitions and uncertainties. You may face the pressures of starting a career, navigating relationships, and establishing your identity as an 'adult'. This can contribute to a significant amount of stress, which if left unmanaged can also contribute to hormonal imbalance, irregular periods, and exacerbate premenstrual syndrome (PMS).

5. Birth Control Usage

Different types of birth control can have varied effects on periods from person to person, ranging from lighter and more regular periods to irregular bleeding or no periods at all.

If you are planning to use birth control, it is important to consult with your trusted medical professional to find a method that works for your condition, lifestyle, and preference.

When is the Right Time to Plan for Pregnancy?

Women typically reach their peak fertility in their late teens and into their 20s. Around 1 in 4 women in their 20s and early 30s will get pregnant in any single menstrual cycle. If children are in your future, it is important to take this into account so you can plan better.

This article could be useful if you are planning for pregnancy in the near future: How to Prepare for a Pregnancy.

NEXT: Period in Your 30s: A Decade of Transition