Early period

Resolved question:
My period is usually predictable, get it once a month when I'm not in school and when I go to school I get it in the beginning of the month and at the end of the month. It lasts 7 days and usually comes every 17-28 days depending on whether I'm in school or not. However, my period has arrived 15 days early, the flow is lighter than usual and is a brownish color. I have the same cramps and nausea I get with a normal period and was wondering what this could be. And there is absolutely no way I am pregnant. The only other thing I could think of is that I have pain every so often, similar to appendicitis, but not always that severe and not in the exact area, if that makes sense.

Submitted: 4 Days
Category: OBGYN

Expert:  Dr. Aarti Vazirani replied 4 Days.

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Hello,

Thanks for writing to us with your health concern.
You have cycles varying from 17 - 28 days, so they are not very regular.
Hence, 15 days is also the acceptable range, according to me.
Once in a while, a period could be earlier than expected and lighter too.
If you are very sure there is no pregnancy, then do not worry.
Stress, examinations, anxiety, weight gain or loss, ingestion of antibiotics or medications such as birth control, late nights, erratic eating habits , smoking, drinking, caffeine - all these can also cause midcycle spotting.

Thyroid hormone abnormalities or polycystic ovarian syndrome - these are some other conditions that can affect your regular cycles.

Pain of a mild sort during periods is also acceptable - it can be premenstrual, ovulatory or in between, so do not worry.
If this is a one off occurrence, it is alright to wait and watch.

If further irregularity of your cycles is observed by you, then please schedule a gynecological consultation.
Have a detailed internal evaluation - per vaginum and per speculum, along with hormonal estimations ( FSH, LH, TSH, Prolactin, DHEAS, Free testosterone, OGTT ) plus a pelvic ultrasound scan, Thyroid function tests.

All the best.
Please feel free to discuss further.
You can ask me followup questions / calrifications.

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Patient replied :

OK, but what I meant was that I had my last period 8 days ago and this one is 15 days early. Usually they are at the very least 17 days apart not 8. As for my flow it is almost non existent, it is not enough yo go through underwear but strong enough that I know I know its there, which has never beenthe case.


Expert:  Dr. Aarti Vazirani replied 3 Days.

As I said that happens, once in a while, mostly due to the commonly mentioned reasons.

If it persists, please have the evaluation as outlined.

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