My menstrual cycle is only 20-22 days. Should I be concerned? Does this mean I have a problem? I know a normal cycle is 28 days.

A.L.

The normal menstrual cycle length is 25-35 days. Menstrual periods that come either at longer or shorter intervals of time would be considered abnormal.

But let's make sure we are talking about the same thing. Many women aren't sure how to define the first day of the cycle -- for instance, should you count the first few days of spotting? While there is no absolute agreed-upon definition for determining the first day of a period, most physicians recommend that the first full day of menstrual flow be considered the first day. Another area of potential confusion is that some women measure their cycle length from the last day of one menstrual period to the first day of the next cycle. This would underestimate the cycle length. The correct way to determine the cycle length is from the first day of one period to the first day of the next menstrual flow.

If you have indeed been measuring correctly, from the first day of one period to the first day of the next, and your menses are in fact 20-22 days apart, you should discuss medical evaluation with your doctor.