WHAT ARE SIGNS OF AN ABNORMAL PERIOD?

Every girl experiences the start of menstruation at a different age, but most have experienced their first episode of monthly bleeding by the time they’re 12 or 13 years old. Once they’ve begun, most women get periods once a month until the onset of menopause, typically around the age of 50. However, many women will experience at least one abnormal period during this time. Sometimes abnormal periods are caused by lifestyle choices and birth control pills, and are not a cause for alarm, but in other cases they could be signs of something more serious. Keep reading to learn more about abnormal periods, and when it’s time to get your gynecologist involved.

Frequency & Length

According to reproductive health experts, a typical period should occur every 21 to 35 calendar days. The length of time from the first day of a period to the last day should be around 7 calendar days. If your periods are happening more frequently than this, or last for longer than a week, it’s considered abnormal and you should consult with a gynecologist

Flow

During a period, how long does it take for your tampon or sanitary pad to become saturated on your heaviest days? If you’re finding that you have to change your tampon or pad more than once every 4 hours, it’s considered an unusually heavy flow. You may want to discuss this with your doctor.

Severe Pain

One of the unfortunate parts of menstruation is the pain. It’s common for women to experience back pain, cramping, and uncomfortable bloating during a normal period. Severe pain, that cannot be treated with the use of OTC pain medications or tools like a hot water bottle, isn’t normal.

If you think that you’ve been experiencing abnormal periods, and want to know if your birth control pills could be a cause, contact Women to Women today.