Period problems
What is considered a normal period?
A normal period should not last for more than seven days and you should not lose more than 80mls (approximately five tablespoons) of menstrual blood in total over all the days of your period.
What is a heavy period/menstrual bleeding?
If you change your period products every two hours or more, need to change them during the night at least once or if you are passing clots that are bigger than a £1 coin, your periods are heavier than normal.
Heavy periods are particularly common in our teenage years and in our 40s, during perimenopause, but they can happen at other times in our lives as well. If you are experiencing perimenopausal symptoms such as hot flushes, insomnia, joint pains, mood swings and others alongside your heavy periods, please book an appointment in our peri/menopause clinic.
If you bleed longer or heavier than normal it is important to check for underlying health problems as addressing these will improve your periods. There are variety of treatment options to make periods lighter. Please book an appointment for our heavy periods clinic.
What is a painful period?
During your period, your uterus contracts to help release the menstrual blood. This can cause mild cramps in your lower tummy during the first 1 to 2 days. These cramps happen because of hormone-like substances called prostaglandins.
You can ease this pain with simple things like a hot water bottle, painkillers such as Ibuprofen if you can take them, or supplements like Magnesium and Zinc. Some women find that avoiding cow’s dairy helps reduce inflammation and pain.
However, severe period pain that stops you from doing daily activities isn’t normal. If the pain is so bad that you can’t get out of bed, feel sick, or miss school or work, it’s important to get help. Conditions like endometriosis, adenomyosis, pelvic infections or pelvic pain may be causing your symptoms.
If simple measures don’t ease your pain, please book an appointment. We will look for any underlying causes and offer treatments to help you feel better.
Irregular periods
Irregular periods are when your cycle changes in length, comes too often (less than every 21 days), too far apart (more than every 35 days), or varies month to month. This can be normal at certain life stages like puberty, perimenopause, or after pregnancy.
Other causes include stress, weight changes, thyroid problems, or conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
How often should I get my period?
A normal menstrual cycle is usually between 21 and 35 days, with the average being around 28 days. Periods that come more often than every 3 weeks or less often than every 5 weeks are considered irregular.
Bleeding fromhormonal contraception (like the pill, implant, or injection) isn’t a true period—it’s a side effect of the medication. Periods with a copper coil (and sometimes with the hormonal coil) are natural and linked to your body’s normal hormone cycle.
A regular, normal menstrual cycle is a marker of overall health, so if you experience irregular periods, it is important to investigate why this is happening and to help address any underlying causes.
Please book an appointment with us so that we can help you further.
Premenstrual syndrome / Premenstrual dysphoric disorder
Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) describes a number of mood and physical symptoms that occur in the second half of a natural menstrual cycle, the time from ovulation to menstruation.
Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PDD) is a form of PMS with more intense and severe symptoms.
Mood symptoms on hormonal birth control methods that suppress ovulation are not PMS but side effects of hormonal contraceptive drugs and can often be improved by changing to a different/non-hormonal method of contraception.
The most common mood symptoms of PMS are; mood swings, depression, tiredness, fatigue or lethargy, anxiety, feeling out of control, irritability, aggression, anger, sleep disorder and food cravings.
Common physical symptoms are; breast tenderness, bloating, weight gain, clumsiness and headaches.
If you suspect that you might have PMS, it is helpful to chart your cycle and keep a symptom diary for at least two cycles.
Dietary changes and certain supplements can be helpful for women who are dealing with PMS. There are other treatment options as well including hormonal and non-hormonal options.
If you would like further help for PMS, please book an appointment.
How does contraception impact periods?
If you are using any method of contraception, such as the pill, implant, injection or coils, these can also influence how long and heavy your bleeding will be, as a side effect of the method used. If you are experiencing this, please book an appointment to discuss your contraceptive choices.
What can I expect at my appointment?
At your appointment we will discuss and provide advice about your periods and offer further investigations such as blood tests or ultrasound scans if needed.
We can offer different treatment options, such as medications and the insertion of a hormonal coil, but it is your decision what you would like to use.
Please check out the other services we offer at our Women’s and Girls’ Health Hub.
Book and appointment
Take a look at the other services we offer at our Women’s and Girls’ Health Hub.
If you would like to book into any of the other services that we offer there will be an option to add more appointments once you have made your booking.