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7 Period Symptoms No Woman Should Ignore
Every woman’s period is different. Some women bleed for two days, while others may bleed for a full week. Your flow might be light and barely noticeable, or heavy enough to make you uncomfortable. You may or may not get cramps, and if you do, they could be mild or intensely painful.
As long as your periods stay consistent, there’s probably no reason to worry about them. But you should stay alert in case you experience any changes to your monthly menstrual cycle.
Here are seven symptoms that are worth reporting to your doctor.
1. Skipped periods
have more regular periods than others, but most get a period about once every 28 days. If your periods suddenly stop, there could be a few reasons for it. One possibility is pregnancy, and a pregnancy test can quickly and easily determine the answer to that.
If pregnancy isn’t the case, something else may be the cause of your skipped period, such as:
2. Heavy bleeding
Period blood volume varies from woman to woman. Generally, if you soak through one or more pads or tampons an hour, you have menorrhagia — an abnormally heavy menstrual flow. Along with the heavy bleeding, you might have signs of anemia, such as fatigue or shortness of breath.
A heavy menstrual flow is common. About one-third of women will eventually see their doctor about it.
Causes of heavy menstrual bleeding include:
3. Abnormally short or long periods
Normal periods can last anywhere from two to seven days. Short periods may be nothing to worry about, especially if they’re typical for you. Using hormonal birth control can also shorten your cycle. Going into menopause can disrupt your normal cycles as well. But if your periods suddenly get much shorter, check in with your doctor.
Some of the same factors that cause heavy bleeding can make your periods longer than usual. These include a hormone imbalance, fibroids, or polyps.
4. Intense cramps
Cramps are a normal part of periods. They’re caused by uterine contractions that push out your uterine lining. Cramps typically start a day or two before your flow begins, and last for two to four days.
For some women, cramps are mild and not bothersome. Others have more severe cramps, called dysmenorrhea.
Other possible causes of painful cramps include:
5. Bleeding between periods
There are a few reasons why you might notice spotting or bleeding in between periods. Some causes — like a change in birth control — aren’t serious. Others require a trip to your doctor.
Causes of bleeding between periods include:
6. Breast pain
Your breasts might feel a little tender during your periods. The cause of the discomfort is likely fluctuating hormone levels. Sometimes there is pain right up into your armpit where there is some breast tissue called the Tail of Spence.
But if your breasts hurt or the pain doesn’t coincide with your monthly cycle, get checked out. Although breast pain isn’t usually due to cancer, it can be a symptom of it in rare cares.
7. Diarrhea or vomiting
Some women normally get an upset stomach during menstruation. In one study,
of women reported having abdominal pain, diarrhea, or both around the time of their period.
If these symptoms aren’t normal for you, they could indicate PID or another medical condition. Because excessive diarrhea or vomiting can cause dehydration, report this symptom to your doctor.
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