If you are a person who gets a period, you may not necessarily be aware of what falls into the realm of normal menstruation. Here are the top signs that your period is off.
Your Cycle Is Irregular
Some people are blessed with periods you could set a clock by, while others have cycles that are so irregular that they are always surprised by bleeding. If your period is always irregular or it has been recently thrown off balance, making an appointment to get to the bottom of the issue is paramount. Many things, from stress levels to your diet, can cause irregularity with your menstrual cycle and some medications, such as the morning after pill, can even cause problems.
While irregular menstruation could be the sign of diseases, such as PCOS or uterine fibroids, it could also just be a normal fluctuation. The only way to be certain is to speak with your doctor about what is going on and let them run any necessary tests or do an exam. Sometimes, just simple lifestyle changes can help regulate your period so it is less erratic.
You Are In A Lot of Pain
Some cramping with menstruation is normal, although not all people experience it. However, if you are experiencing more pain than you usually do or your pain is so intense that your daily routine is interrupted, you need to speak with a gynecologist. Intense pain is not normal and can be a sign of diseases, such as endometriosis or uterine fibroids. While not all reproductive health problems have a cure, your doctor can recommend a treatment plan or surgery that should bring you some relief.
Another type of pain, called mittelschmerz, occurs with ovulation and is typically mild enough to manage with over-the-counter pain medication. Sometimes, however, this pain can be a sign of a more serious disease, such as ectopic pregnancy, so if it is intense or new, make an appointment to get it checked out.
You Are Bleeding More Than Usual
Bleeding is to be expected when it comes to a menstrual period and there is a range of bleeding that is considered normal. As a rule of thumb, if you are soaking through a tampon or pad every hour for several hours, you should seek urgent medical care as this level of blood loss can be a sign of a medical emergency. Besides heavy bleeding, other worrisome period symptoms that should spur you to make an appointment with your doctor are irregular bleeding or bleeding between periods and large clots.
Heavy bleeding or prolonged bleeding, while not always the sign of disease, can lead to iron-deficient anemia, so speaking with your doctor about this can help prevent you from becoming anemic by using iron supplements or birth control to stop menstrual periods.
Menstrual cycles don’t need to be mystifying mysteries of life and can give you clues to the status of your reproductive health. These are some of the top ways that your period may be telling you to seek medical advice, but always listen to your body and make an appointment if you ever feel like something isn’t quite right.