11 Interesting Ways Your Period Changes in Your 30s

Many factors can cause your period to be heavier. But one of the most common is stopping birth control. If you decide to stop taking your birth control, either for personal reasons or in order to have a baby, you might feel like your period is heavier once it starts back up again. But usually this is just a matter of perspective, and is nothing to be worried about. "Typically, hormonal birth control makes periods lighter and shorter; therefore, stopping it often results in perceived heaviness and longer duration," Dr. Williams says.

Opting for a different form of birth control can bring on noticeable changes, too. "Switching from one birth control method to another can definitely impact a woman’s period," Dr. Nita Landry, OB/GYN and co-host of The Doctors, tells Bustle. "Some birth control methods result in lighter or even non-existent menstrual periods while other birth control methods are associated with heavier menstrual periods." So if you notice a major change, it shouldn't be a cause for concern because this may be why. If you are interested, though, you can always ask your doctor to learn more.

If you've recently had a baby, that change in your body can result in irregular periods. "It can take time for things to get back to normal, especially if you're breastfeeding," Dr. Landry says. Once again, this is nothing to be worried about, but if you have any questions regarding your body post-pregnancy, talking with your doctor is the best way to get the facts.

Dr. Williams says there are several gynecological conditions that tend to be diagnosed in women who are in their late 20s and 30s, including endometriosis, which is when the lining of your uterus grows outside the uterus walls. And uterine fibroids, which are noncancerous growths, occurring within the uterus.

"These conditions can be associated with menstrual changes," she says. "For example, women with fibroids may complain of heavy and painful periods; whereas, endometriosis is marked by long-standing pelvic pain that is often made worse by the monthly menstrual cycle." If you are noticing that you have intense pain with your period, especially if this is something new to your cycle, speak with your doctor about next steps to alleviating these symptoms.

Some women report having less pain during their period after having a baby. "This is usually because the cervix has expanded and will allow for blood to flow with less need for uterine contractions," health and wellness expert Caleb Backe, of Maple Holistics, tells Bustle. Some theorize it may also be due to fewer prostaglandin receptor sites in the uterus, which can result in less pain.

If you choose to breastfeed after having a baby, that can certainly affect your period. "Having a baby and breastfeeding will change your period," doctor of Chinese Medicine and AZCIM-certified Integrative Medical Practitioner, Dr. Elizabeth Trattner, tells Bustle. "It may not even show up for a few months after breastfeeding due to the change in hormones." And while that may be frustrating, it is totally common.

"In a woman’s 30s, both age and hormonal fluctuations can lead to menstrual irregularity or lengthening of the time between periods," board-certified OB/GYN Dr. Carolyn Alexander, of Southern California Reproductive Center (SCRC) tells Bustle. "Evaluation for PCOS is ... important especially if any symptoms of [excessive] hair growth, hair loss, insulin resistance. Some women can experience hot flashes or night sweats which is also very important to get evaluated especially if the menstrual cycle starts spacing out." Be mindful if these symptoms do crop up, and discuss them with your doctor. They will be able to help with this potential diagnosis.

Your 30s can bring on some major career changes — such as higher up roles, or longer work hours — and thus new stressors. And that stress can affect your period. "Good and bad stress will change your period ... depending on how you personally cope," Trattne says. She says that if you're not handling new stress in a healthy way — by eating nutritious foods and moving as much as possible — period issues (like bad cramps) can get worse. Speaking with a loved one or professional may be able to help you manage this stress, which may also help alleviate bad cramps.

As Trattner say, the 30s are a time when many women try something new with their health. This might mean adopting a new health plan, or wanting to swap out bad habits from your 20s for healthier ones.

While that's great news, should you choose to do so, keep in mind that making major lifestyle changes can affect your cycle for a while. As Trattner says, "It is OK [to notice a change, but] if your period is different in a bad way for more than three months it is time to see a gynecologist."

As mentioned above, your menstrual cycle can lengthen in your 30s, sometimes lasting up to 40 days. But as you age, it can also shorten. "In a woman’s later 30s, her period cycle may become shorter (rather than 29 to 30 days, it might be 25 or 26 days)," Dr. Prudence Hall, author of Radiant Again & Forever, tells Bustle. "This is the first indication of perimenopause ... As we age and go into perimenopause, our hormone levels start to decrease. The cycle is run by a set amount of estrogen and progesterone and as you age, that cycle might decrease, since the hormones are decreasing. Your late 30s are when your hormone levels start to noticeably decrease." And that is completely OK.

As you progress into your 30s, your PMS symptoms may start to get worse. As Dr. Hall says, "PMS increases in a woman’s early or late 30s due to dropping estrogen." As a result, you may experience more symptoms, like crankiness, tiredness, and bloating sensations.

If any of these issues bother you, or you're concerned something might be amiss, definitely talk to your doctor and/or gynecologist. They can help you get to the bottom of any changes you might have noticed, and diagnose underlying conditions — such as a hormonal imbalance or uterine fibroids — that may be disrupting or changing your period, and help find solutions.

This post was originally published on January 25, 2018. It was updated on May 31, 2019.