1. Home
  2. Health
  3. Women's Health

How Long is a Menstrual Cycle?

By , About.com Guide

Updated June 28, 2004

About.com Health's Disease and Condition content is reviewed by the Medical Review Board

Question: How Long is a Menstrual Cycle?
Answer: When counting the days in your cycle, always count the first day of your period as day one. The average period lasts about 6 days, although some women may experience slightly shorter or longer periods and be perfectly normal.

Understanding Menstruation

Explore Women's Health
About.com Special Features

8 Ways to Cut Drug Costs

Learn how to save money on medications with these recommendations. More >

Healthy Bodies, Healthy Minds

Keep yourself, and your family, happy and healthy this season. More >

We comply with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information: verify here.
  1. Home
  2. Health
  3. Women's Health
  4. Menstruation
  5. Period FAQs
  6. How Long is a Menstrual Cycle?>

©2009 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company.

All rights reserved.