Abnormal menstrual periods do not necessarily mean a period that runs a few days beyond what you are used to or is delayed for a few days or so. It is natural for a woman to have a few hits and misses now and then with her period especially if she is under a lot of stress or is going through a lot of changes in her life. An abnormal period or a period you should be a bit wary of is not one that does not hit the 28th day mark that is regular for most periods but is a period that shows certain extreme irregularities. Here are some signs that may show that you are experiencing an abnormal menstrual period or cycle:

1. Your period runs longer than a week. The most a period is supposed to last is a week or 7 days. Periods that run longer than this cycle may indicate an abnormal menstrual period.

2. You experience a menstrual cycle that has 31 to 35 days in between periods. A woman’s menstrual cycle is supposed to have only 28 days in between periods, from day one of the last period to day one of the next one with an allowance of a day or two.

3. You begin having severe dysmenorrhea or menstrual cramps. It is normal for a woman who has her period to feel a bit of cramping at times when the uterus contracts to shed the lining that is being discarded as your menstrual flow. What is not normal is when you get severe or very painful menstrual cramps that is debilitating or has you doubling over in pain.

4. When you reach the age of 16 or above and you haven’t had your periods yet. This is also a cause for worry since most women get their first periods between the ages of 11 to 16. A woman who hasn’t had her period yet by the time she is beyond 16 may need to see her doctor or a gynecologist to see what is wrong or to determine if anything is wrong.

5. If you start bleeding before 11 or if you bleed after menopause. These two ages are not supposed to be beset with menstrual periods since one is too early or too young while the other is supposed to have stopped ovulating due to age. You may need to consult with a doctor when this happens.

Other instances that may make a woman experience a pause in having her periods or have her experience rather abnormal menstrual cycles is when she overexerts herself or over-exercises. Other instances that may also make this happen to a woman may include her having thyroid problems, suffering from certain eating disorders or a simple lack of ovulation. There may be instances when a woman will suffer from lapses in her period or a cessation in her period altogether when she has some scars in her uterus from a certain medical procedure performed there.