A normal menstrual cycle lasts about four weeks, and bleeding usually lasts between three and seven days. Menstrual cycles can change with age. This should not be a cause for panic, but it forces a woman to pay attention to her health. What do the different deviations from the normal menstrual cycle mean? 1. Late period Besides the trivial case of pregnancy, late period can be a signal of hormonal changes and imbalance that require serious medical care. Other reasons for cycle irregularities can be severe mental stress, sudden weight loss, intense physical exertion. The usual suspect, however, is oral contraceptive pills. Known variations in the course of the menstrual cycle after long-term use of oral contraceptives are not a cause for concern. If the cycle is late for no apparent reason, a consultation with a doctor is necessary. 2. Bleeding “not when you should” or after sex Bleeding between two cycles, ie. in a period when it should not occur, requires immediate consultation with the attending gynecologist, because it may be a symptom of an infectious disease, anatomical anomalies in the cervix such as polyps or, in rarer cases, a tumor in the pelvis. In some cases, taking oral contraceptives leads to vaginal bleeding. This may necessitate a change in contraceptive choice. 3. Sudden changes in menstruation If the menstrual flow changes suddenly – for example, if it becomes much more abundant and/or prolonged, it is necessary to seek medical advice, especially in women over 40 years of age. In them, these changes are often associated with endometrial cancer, cervical or endometrial polyps, or cancer, precancerous changes in the cells of the cervix. All of these conditions can be successfully treated if detected at an early stage. 4. Bleeding after menopause Any postmenopausal bleeding, especially if it has occurred more than a year after menopause, is a reason for immediate consultation with a specialist. In no case should you wait for its repetition. NEWS_MORE_BOX Cyclic hormone replacement products cause menstrual-like bleeding. Some bleeding may also occur with non-cyclic products. Most of these cases are concentrated in the first year after starting hormone treatment. If bleeding is present, it should be very light. If this is not the case, the attending gynecologist should be contacted immediately. If a transition from cyclic to non-cyclic preparations is undertaken and discharge occurs, the medication should be discontinued until the case is clarified by a physician. 5. Discharge of atypical discharge Discharge of discharge is quite natural, as is its change during the menstrual cycle. Around ovulation, the secretion is somewhat stretchy, like egg white, while the rest of the time it is clear and runny. The appearance of greenish,bloody or smelly discharge is a sign of infection and requires medical consultation.