IT’S A SIGN! (7 OF THEM, IN FACT)

So, you’ve been wondering if your menstrual cycle is normal? We hear you, babe! We’ve all been there.

But check it, there’s no blueprint for the perfect period. Still, there are definitely things you should pay attention to, especially since most symptoms can be caused by a variety of issues.

It’s time to get curious about that little monthly visitor and find out what’s considered not so good under the hood.

1. Bleeding for dayzzz

There’s no magic number for how long your menstrual cycle should last, but it should fall within 3 to 6 days. If your normal bleed lasts 7 days or more… this is a red flag.

It could be due to a number of things – hormone imbalance, contraceptives, or in some cases, a more serious medical condition.

PCOS (Polycystic ovary syndrome) is a relatively common hormonal disorder and may be the reason for prolonged or infrequent periods.

2. The period running late or it’s a no-show

It may seem like a sweet deal to get a few extra days or weeks period free. But besides the stress of an unwanted pregnancy scare, your body could be trying to tell you something – like hey boo, we stressed!

There are many reasons for late periods and it shouldn’t set off any alarm bells (unless…). But you should see your doctor if you’ve completely missed more than one period.

3. On the verge of bleeding out

Okay, a little dramatic! But did you know you lose a lot less blood than you think during your period? The average woman only loses around three tablespoons over the course of their bleed. TABLESPOONS! Mind blown.

A heavy flow is one thing but changing your pad or tampon within 1 or 2 hours is… a red flag. Losing too much blood can also lead to anaemia.

4. Spotting between periods

Light bleeding between periods every now and then is just fine, but it shouldn’t happen every cycle. 

Maybe you’re adjusting to contraception or ovulating? But it could also be a sign of uterine or cervical polyps or (as always) another underlying condition.

5. Funky-coloured blood

Your body sheds tissue and blood from your uterus through the vagina. Period. *Chef’s kiss* because the female body is amazing!

But it does so on its own time, ya know? It can take a while for the blood to leave, so it’s just vibing with oxygen which makes it turn a darker red or black. Don’t stress! It’s perfectly normal and most likely to happen during the start of your period.

Grey blood or discharge… red flag! This could mean an infection station if other symptoms are present, like vaginal itching or discomfort and a foul-smelling vaginal odour.

Orange blood or discharge does not always mean an infection, but it may be if you have any symptoms mentioned above.

In this case, it’s red for go! Orange for careful. And Grey for danger! You’ll need to see a doctor and be prescribed antibiotics if you have an infection.

 6. Debilitating cramps

No one digs cramps but they do come with the territory – meh. If you’re experiencing lower back or pelvic pain (that’s unbearable without painkillers) it could mean something else is going on, like endometriosis – a condition where the tissue that lines the uterus (endometrium) grows outside your uterus.

Since there’s no definitive test for endometriosis, it’s chronically misdiagnosed and left untreated.

7. Any changes to your flow

And we’re not talking about what you bring to the dance floor!

So many things can throw your cycle out of whack. The best practice you can do is to get to know YOUR cycle to better understand what’s normal for you.

When you notice a change in your period, there’s usually nothing to worry about, but there ain’t no harm in having a little chat with your doc to rule out any health hazards.