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Home/Cycle Matters / Reproductive Health

Why is my menstrual cycle getting shorter?

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Written by Freya Eriksson

Freya Eriksson

With more than three years of experience in the field, Freya Eriksson specializes in writing about the latest research into fertility and reproductive health. She is passionate about shining a light on under-researched topics such as contraception and planning pregnancy. Freya holds a Master's degree in Linguistics and lives in Stockholm, Sweden.

Fact checked by Jack Pearson, Medical Affairs Manager at Natural Cycles

Jack Pearson

Dr. Jack Pearson is a previously HCPC registered Embryologist with a PhD in reproductive medicine. Prior to joining Natural Cycles leading Medical Affairs, he worked for more than 10 years in a clinical setting working at some of the busiest fertility clinics in the UK. Today he spends most of his time working with experts at the world’s leading institutions to carry out important research with the vision to further the field of female health. He earned his PhD from the University of Sheffield specializing in Sperm Metabolism and currently lives in London.

Key takeaways: 

  • There are a number of reasons why our menstrual cycles can change in length, such as stress, medications, changes in diet or lifestyle 
  • Over the course of our lifetimes, the menstrual cycle naturally gets shorter
  • Talk to your doctor if you are worried about changes in your menstrual cycle 

We can experience a shorter menstrual cycle for many reasons, like recent use of birth control, pregnancy, perimenopause, and more. Tracking your cycle can help you notice if and when your cycle is getting shorter. Cycle regularity can be a useful indicator of our overall health, so it’s good to be aware of what may cause things to change. In this article, we’ll explore some of the reasons for a shorter menstrual cycle, the causes for an irregular period, and when to reach out to a healthcare provider.

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