# healthy menstrual cycles are between 21 & 37 days
> healthy cycles vary in length between 21 days (possible diagnosis of polymenorrhoea if shorter) and 37 days (possible diagnosis of oligomenorrhoea if longer; Long, 1990).[[(Schmalenberger et al., 2021)#^lfj3-]]
## Notes
- Average 29 days
- Determined by length of follicular phase
- Optimal hormonal health
- 25-35 days
- <24 days
- Lower progesterone
- Or excess oestrogen
- Too short luteal phase
- Or anovulatory cycle
- Or ovulation occurring too early
- > 35 days
- PCOS