One month it’s five days. Next month it’s eight. Sometimes it’s heavy, sometimes it ghosts you completely. You’re not imagining it - menstrual cycles do change. And yep, it can be confusing (and a little unnerving) when your period starts doing its own thing.
But here’s the truth: your menstrual cycle is meant to shift throughout your life. Puberty, stress, diet, sleep, birth control, perimenopause… even travel can throw your flow off for a bit. So let’s talk about what’s actually going on, when it’s worth paying attention, and how to support your body through the wobbles.
Your period isn’t a machine - it’s a messenger
Your cycle reflects what’s happening inside your body. That includes hormones, stress levels, energy, and overall health. So if your period’s acting different lately, it could be trying to tell you something - not punish you.
🩸Tip: If your cycle changes suddenly and stays that way for a few months (shorter, longer, missed altogether), start tracking it. Use an app or a notebook - whatever works. Patterns help you figure out whether it’s just a phase or something worth flagging with a doctor.
Stress really can mess with your flow
Whether it's exams, deadlines, breakups, or just the general pressure of being a human - stress affects your hormones. Cortisol (your stress hormone) can disrupt ovulation, which then shifts your whole cycle.
🩸Tip: You don’t need to be a meditation guru, but regular movement, sleep, and moments to breathe (yes, actually breathe) can help balance things out.
Puberty and perimenopause = hormonal rollercoasters
If you’re just starting your period, or if you’re heading into your 40s, cycle irregularity is very normal. Hormones don’t arrive (or leave) quietly. In puberty, it can take a couple of years for cycles to regulate. In perimenopause, they can become longer, shorter, heavier, lighter - you name it.
🩸 Tip: Irregular cycles in these stages aren’t always a red flag. But extreme pain, very heavy bleeding, or periods that vanish for months? Worth checking.
Food, iron & your flow are more connected than you think
Low iron can lead to fatigue and mess with your cycle. And if your period is heavy, you might be losing more iron than you’re replacing. On the flip side, restrictive eating, sudden weight changes, or low-carb/no-carb extremes can disrupt ovulation altogether.
🩸Tip: Eat like someone who deserves to feel strong (because you do). Think iron-rich foods (like beans, leafy greens, red meat), whole carbs, and regular meals. Supplements can help - but food comes first.
Birth control and meds can change the game
Starting, stopping, or switching contraception can totally change your cycle. That includes going from pill to patch, or even stopping hormonal birth control after years of use. Some meds (like antidepressants or thyroid meds) can affect hormones too.
🩸Tip: Give your body time to adjust - especially if you’re coming off hormonal contraception. But if things still feel “off” after 3–6 months, check in with your GP.
When to talk to someone
Not every change is a problem, but some are worth raising. Call your GP if:
- You’re skipping periods for months with no clear reason
- Your period is suddenly very heavy or painful
- You’re bleeding between periods or after sex
- You’re feeling constantly drained, foggy, or low
You deserve to understand what’s going on. Period.
Final thoughts
It’s not just you. It’s never just you.
Our cycles shift and change all the time - and most of the time, that’s completely normal. The key is tuning in. Tracking, nourishing, noticing patterns, and not being afraid to ask for help when something feels off. You’re not being dramatic. You’re being smart.