A regular menstrual cycle typically occurs every 21 to 35 days, with bleeding lasting between 2 and 7 days. This cycle, measured from the first day of one period to the day before the next, involves hormones that prepare the body for potential pregnancy. If pregnancy does not occur, the uterine lining sheds, resulting in menstruation. While many experience consistent cycles, a period that stops and restarts can be confusing and may signal underlying conditions.
Understanding Common Interruptions
Hormonal shifts frequently cause periods to stop and restart. Changes in stress, body weight, or exercise can disrupt the balance of hormones like estrogen and progesterone that regulate the menstrual cycle. Puberty and perimenopause are natural life stages with fluctuating hormone levels, often leading to irregular or stop-and-start bleeding.
Hormonal birth control methods also cause irregular bleeding. Pills, patches, injections, or hormonal intrauterine devices (IUDs) can alter the menstrual rhythm, leading to lighter, missed, or stop-and-start bleeding. Missing a dose of oral contraceptives can also trigger breakthrough bleeding, which may be mistaken for an interrupted period.
Implantation bleeding, an early sign of pregnancy, can be confused with a light or interrupted period. This typically occurs 10 to 14 days after conception, when a fertilized egg attaches to the uterine lining. It is usually much lighter than a regular period, appearing as light spotting or pinkish-brown discharge, and lasts a shorter duration.
Distinguishing between spotting and a full period is important for assessing bleeding patterns. Spotting refers to light bleeding not requiring a pad or tampon, while a period involves heavier flow and uterine lining shedding. While spotting can occur for various non-concerning reasons, its appearance around the expected period can mimic a stop-and-start pattern.
Recognizing Other Potential Causes
Several medical conditions can also cause a period to stop and restart. Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), a hormonal disorder, often causes irregular periods due to hormonal imbalance, leading to infrequent, prolonged, or inconsistent bleeding.
Thyroid disorders, affecting the thyroid gland, can also impact menstrual regularity. The thyroid gland produces hormones influencing many bodily functions, including the menstrual cycle. Disruptions in these levels can result in irregular bleeding or changes in flow.
Certain uterine conditions, such as fibroids or polyps, can also cause stop-and-start bleeding. Uterine fibroids are non-cancerous uterine growths causing heavy, prolonged, or inter-period bleeding. Uterine polyps are benign growths on the inner uterine wall that also cause irregular bleeding.
Reproductive tract infections, such as pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), can cause abnormal uterine bleeding. PID is an infection of the female reproductive organs, leading to pain, fever, and irregular bleeding. Infections can irritate the uterine lining, leading to unpredictable bleeding.
Irregular bleeding mimicking a stop-and-start period can also signal early pregnancy complications. An early miscarriage can cause bleeding that varies in intensity, sometimes starting and stopping. An ectopic pregnancy, where a fertilized egg implants outside the uterus, can also cause light, heavy, or intermittent bleeding, often with pain.
Knowing When to Seek Professional Guidance
Seek medical guidance if a stop-and-start period becomes regular or is accompanied by other concerning symptoms. Persistent or worsening irregularity, especially if it deviates from your typical cycle, warrants a conversation with a healthcare provider.
Unusually heavy bleeding, large blood clots, or debilitating pain during your period should prompt medical evaluation. These can indicate underlying issues.
If you experience symptoms of infection, such as fever, chills, unusual vaginal discharge, or a foul odor, seek medical advice promptly.
Suspected pregnancy with irregular bleeding should lead to a healthcare professional consultation. This allows for proper assessment and guidance, especially if complications are possible. Bleeding after menopause (when periods have permanently ceased for at least 12 consecutive months) requires immediate medical investigation, as it can signal a serious condition.