Periods

In order to know what is abnormal you first need to know what is normal.

Here’s what’s normal with a menstrual cycle?

Age of onset 11-12y ranging from 8 to 14y
Average frequency 32 days but 21-45 days is considered normal
Length 2-7 days
Normal blood flow requires 3-6 pads or tampons per day
Normal amount of blood is 4-12 teaspoons each cycle.

Normal symptoms of a period include cramps with lower abdominal or back pain, bloating, tender breasts, mood swings, food cravings and headaches. Gas and diarrheas are also normal symptoms a couple days before and during your period.

Period Red Flags

Period red flags will include issues related to how long or frequent between periods. The quality and amount of blood flow. The severity of PMS symptoms and cramps experienced.

If you notice your periods are coming frequently, less than 21 days or lasting longer than 7 days, for more than 3 months this would be considered abnormal. Heavy bleeding with big blood clots, like the size of grapes or apricot’s, would be an abnormal amount of blood flow. Normal blood flow requires 3-6 pads or tampons per day. In general, an abnormal period or menstrual bleeding is when you are changing a pad or tampon every 30 to 60 minutes for 3 to 4hours.

You may also have irregular bleeding that looks like a few spots of reddish brown blood at unexpected times of the cycle. Some women can have spotting that lasts a couple of days then stops and restarts again during the middle of the month. Brown spotting can also happen mid-cycle or during ovulating.

If irregular bleeding or brown spotting continues for more than 2 to 3 months this is a reason to contact your health care provider to discuss reasons why this might be happening. You can download a period tracker on your smart phone or use a calendar to keep track of your periods.

Other signs to contact your health care provider include debilitating cramps, migraine headaches, disruptive emotional changes such as mood swings, depression and crying spells that prevent you from doing your normal daily activities.

Normal Blood Flow of a Period

Normal blood flow requires 3-6 pads or tampons per day. The average woman only bleeds about 3 ounces during an entire period. Pads, tampons, menstrual cups and Thinx-like underwear can all be used to collect blood during a period. Tampons and pads should be changed every 4 to 8 hours. During a period, it’s especially important to have a daily hygiene routine due to additional bacteria introduced into this area. Cleaning and moisturizing the vulva skin helps prevent infections and dryness.

Normal Bleeding During a Period

The amount of time you have vaginal bleeding during your period can vary lasting from 4 to 7 days. Periods lasting longer than 7 days are considered abnormal bleeding. If you get heavy bleeding with big blood clots, like the size of grapes or apricot’s, this may be considered too much blood. Normal blood flow requires 3-6 pads or tampons per day. The normal amount blood loss is around 4-12 teaspoons each cycle.

In general, an abnormal period or menstrual bleeding is when you are changing a pad or tampon every 30 to 60 minutes for 3 to 4hours.

Irregular Periods

The most common causes of irregular, heavy and blood clot periods include:

Thyroid and other Hormonal disorders
Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)
Excessive Exercising
Sudden Weight Changes
Physical or Emotional stress
Illnesses
Pregnancy
Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs)
Benign Ovarian Cysts
Perimenopause

Stomachaches and poop during a period

Cramps occurring just before and 1 to 3 days during a period are completely normal. The pain typically is noticed in the lower abdominal area or in your lower back. These types of painful cramps are often associated with an upset stomach, vomiting and diarrhea.

Gastrointestinal havoc is common during your menstrual cycle. Bloating, nausea, diarrhea or constipation are the most frequent intestinal symptoms. The most common bowel change is diarrhea. It’s thought to be caused by the release of certain chemicals, primarily prostaglandins. Prostaglandins are also responsible for the cramps experienced during your period. These disruptive prostaglandins make the intestines and uterus contract causing diarrhea and menstrual cramps the first 3 days of your period.

Why period/menstrual blood can be brown?

Most women have regular monthly periods coming every 28 days lasting 3-4 days. You may have irregular bleeding that looks like a few spots of reddish brown blood lasting one to 7 or more days. Some women can have spotting that lasts a couple of days then stops and restarts again during the middle of the month. It can be confusing, frustrating and hard to manage.

Brown spotting can also happen mid-cycle or during ovulating. If brown spotting continues for more than 3 months contacting your health care provider is recommended.

Can I sleep with a tampon?

Even while you sleep, tampons should be changed every 4 to 8 hours. Using the lowest absorbency tampon will also minimize your risk of toxic shock syndrome.

Tampons and Toxic Shock Syndrome(TSS)?

There are steps you can take during your period to prevent TSS. Tampons should be changed every 4 to 8 hours. Using the lowest absorbency tampon will also minimize your risk. Alternating tampons and sanitary napkins, when possible, especially is your blood flow is very light is also helpful in

The larger and more absorbent tampons put you at higher risk are for TSS. Even if you have a light day and less blood flow, you still need to change your tampon every 4 to 8 hours.

Causes of blood clots, when to worry?

If your blood flow is heavy and leaves the uterus quickly blood clots are not usually created. But if you have a heavy flow and blood leaves the uterus slowly, blood clots develop. Blood clots are not uncommon during a period. They tend to be dark or bright red in color and come in irregular shapes and sizes. Small clots the size of raisins are usually nothing to worry about and can happen during a heavy blood flow. Larger and thicker blood clots, greater than the size of a quarter, are reasons to be concerned.

Causes Period Pain

Your uterus is basically one big muscle (the shape of a pear) which starts to contract, causing cramping, that helps the lining of the uterus shed during a period. This shedding will be your 4 to 6 days of uterine bleeding and is fondly known as your period. Period cramping can be felt in the lower back or belly. Cramps tend to be more intense during the first day or two of a period.

Every woman experience cramps differently. If you are having heavy periods with large blood clots you will probably experience more intense cramping. Some women may have light bleeding but still have severe cramps. Blood flow and volume doesn’t always correlate how significant the cramping will be. Depending on the position of the uterus-anterior, posterior or mid position-in your pelvis can determine where you may experience the worse menstrual cramping. Lower back and abdominal pain are the most common places women experience the discomfort.

For many of us cramps can be completely debilitating and stop us from doing our daily routine. For others cramps are noticeable but not disruptive. Cramps can be a normal part of the period cycle.

Who is at greater risk for period pain?

Women more prone to period pain include those with endometriosis, uterine fibroids, uterine adenomyosis, pain with sexual intercourse and heavy blood clots.

Can period pain be more serious?

Persistent period pain is just not talked about enough. If you are having persistent period pain that keeps you from going to school, work or just getting out of bed, you should make an appointment to see your health care provider. Period pain that is unresponsive to over the counter treatment options including NSAID or Tylenol or other lifestyle changes you should speak to your health care provider. Persistent irregular and heavy bleeding, pelvic pain and pressure, anemia, constipation, difficulty with urination, abdominal pain, miscarriages, dizziness, weakness, feeling cold, fatigue or trouble breathing are all signs and symptoms that you should follow up with your health care provider.

Best tips for Managing Period Cramps/Pain

Heat in any form-warm bath, hot water bottle, applying a towel soaked in hot water, an electric heating pad, sauna, jacuzzi,–all help to relive muscle by increasing blood flow and relaxing the muscles to the affected area. Also, heat has an analgesic—feel good effect!

Eating a healthy plant based Mediterranean diet with foods high in Vitamin E, B1, B6, Magnesium, Zinc and omega-3 fatty acids help reduce muscle tension and inflammation. Avoid fried, salty foods and those high in fat and carbs. Avoiding caffeine and alcohol since both can cause dehydration and restrict blood flow to the uterus. Other water-based foods that help with hydration include berries (strawberries, blueberries) celery, cucumber, lettuce and watermelon. Adding ginger to hot water is another useful remedy.

Drinking water, warm or hot, helps relax the uterine muscles during that time of the month. Regular exercise, reducing stress, mindfulness meditation, biofeedback, acupuncture, massage and adequate sleep are helpful lifestyle remedies in treating cramps.

CBD is the active ingredient in marijuana that helps make your body feel good, relaxes muscles in the pelvis and distracts your brain from feeling the pain associated with menstrual cramps. There are many ways to use CBD products including bath salts, tampons, suppositories, infused chocolates, body balms and tinctures and they all seem to be effective for mild and moderate cramps. They are safe and harmless products.

NSAID work great for period cramps. The feeling of pain is caused by increased levels of prostaglandins which makes the uterus contract. NSAID’s block the action of prostaglandins which decrease the pain brought on by period cramps.

An orgasm has the ability to block pain sensation which can help reduce pain associated with period cramps.