Can you remember when you had your first period? That first time of spotting the blood in your underwear might have either freaked you out or made you whoop for joy. Your reaction mostly depended on how well-prepared you were for it.
Every month, your body warms up to get pregnant. It begins when your ovaries release eggs. Then your hormones get into action. This begins on the first day of your last period and ends on the first day of your next period. That’s the menstrual cycle.
What usually counts as the period is when the eggs released by the ovaries don’t fertilise. This occurs monthly and, when there’s no fertility, the lining of your uterus then sheds through your v****a. Hence, that’s what constitutes your period. While the amount of blood your body released through your v****a is called your menstrual flow.
Meanwhile, the average cycle is 28 days. When you’re younger and just begin your period, you tend to have longer cycles, but when you’re older, it becomes shorter. This is considered normal but yet a lot of people dread when their period is about to start. Menstruation could occur from either 2 to 7 days, depending on your age and body type.
The SOS period mode
Still, when your health is in an SOS mode, it could be revealed through that period you dread. Rather than live in ignorance, it’s better to be aware of the little signs your body reveals through your period. For instance, when you notice a sudden change in how heavy your flow is, your pain level; or spotting between cycles and a change in the colour of your blood, these could be signs that something is amiss.
“Paying attention to how you’re bleeding is a good way to find out about other health conditions in your body,” explains Leah Millheiser, MD, an ob-gynaecologist and director of the Female S****l Medicine Program at Stanford University.
Six things your period reveals about your health status
1. How heavy is your flow?
A third of women experience a heavy flow. This is characterised by the number of times you have to change your tampon or pad. How often do you need to do this during the day and night? Also, does your period last longer than a week? Normal periods should last for 7 days and then begin again at least after 24 days, and at most 38 days. If it begins again less than 24 days, then that’s too soon.
If you have a heavy and early flow, then you could be dealing with a problem with your reproductive organs or hormones. There could be an infection like pelvic inflammatory disease or blood disorders. This could also be a result of the intake of blood-thinning medicines like aspirin. So while you should stop taking these, you should also visit your gynaecologist.
2. Do you feel exhausted?
With a heavy period comes the loss of more red blood cells. This, in turn, can lead to iron-deficiency anaemia. Signs that you are affected is when you feel fatigued or weak, short of breath, your heart beats rapidly or you look pale. You should carry out a blood test to determine your blood level and a consultation with your doctor to know what treatment you need.
3. What colour is your period?
Period colours come in four stages. The first is usually a bright red colour, which is when you begin your cycle. Then it gets darker if you have a heavy flow. This usually occurs with a blood clot. If you don’t have a heavy flow, your period can transition from bright red to a darker brownish hue.
Millheiser says. “Brownish blood is basically just older blood that’s been in your uterus for a lot longer than fresh blood. It’s had a chance to oxidise, so it’s not as bright,” she adds. The final colour could be when you have a really light period – the pinkish hue. Any switch from red to the rusty, brownish hue is no cause for alarm.
4. Do you bleed between your periods?
There are many reasons why you could still spot while on your off-season. This could occur 10 – 14 days after the last day of your period. It could be as a result of growths in and around your uterus (such as endometriosis, fibroid or polyps). Another cause could either be from problems with your hormones or the type of birth control pills you’re using. Meanwhile, STDs like chlamydia and gonorrhoea could be a plausible cause. There are numerable reasons why you could spot between periods, therefore you should seek your doctor’s advice.
5. How big is your blood clot?
Those jelly-like blood clots aren’t pleasant to the sight, but they are yours. They are also normal as it just means your body didn’t have time to break them down before leaving your body while shedding your uterus lining. If you’re a heavy flower then this is probably where you’re concerned. Still, they should be at normal size, or else it’s a cause for worry.
When your blood clot is the size of a raisin, then it’s normal. However, when that thick blob of blood is bigger than the size of a quarter, then it becomes worrisome. This could be caused by a hormone imbalance that results in a very heavy flow. It could also be caused by an infection. If you’re pregnant, it could be a sign of a miscarriage. So, see your gynaecologist immediately.
6. Painful bathroom breaks
If you find it painful to pee or poop when on your period, then it could mean something more. Also, if you get diarrhoea or constipation, you could have endometriosis, especially when you have other symptoms, like heavy periods or bad cramps. Endometriosis is a painful disorder in which the tissue that normally lines the inside of your uterus — the endometrium — grows outside your uterus. If this painful bathroom break occurs, you should visit your doctor.
Normal menstruation symptoms include;
- Tender breasts
- Bloating around abdomen
- Mood swings
- Acne
- Cramping in the lower abdomen or back
- Sleep issues
- Increased hunger