FAQs
MENSTRUAL HEALTH
Menstrual health goes beyond periods (the physical), it also includes mental and social well-being in relation to your cycle. Learn more about menstrual health here.
PERIODS
- What are periods?
- How long do periods last?
- How much should I bleed during my period?
- What colour should period blood be?
- When do periods start?
- What are the signs that my first period could be on its way?
- My period has started, what now?
- I haven't had my first period, should I be worried?
- How can I manage my period?
- How can I track my period?
- What are period products?
- Are periods painful?
- What is premenstrual syndrome (PMS)?
- Why are my periods irregular?
- My period is late, should I be worried?
- Are my periods irregular?
- Are my periods heavy?
- Are my periods 'normal'?
- When do periods stop?
A period is when girls, women and others who menstruate, shed their uterine lining and bleed from their vagina as part of the menstrual cycle. Learn more about periods here.
THE MENSTRUAL CYCLE
- What is the menstrual cycle?
- How long does the menstrual cycle last?
- What are the stages of the menstrual cycle?
The menstrual cycle is defined as the time from the first day of your period to the day before your next period begins. It is a reccurring process and a typical cycle lasts 28 days. During this time a series of natural changes in hormone production occur along with changes to the structures that form part of the reproductive system (namely the uterus and ovaries), these changes are our body's way of preparing for the possibility of pregnancy. Learn more about the menstrual cycle here.
HEAVY MENSTRUAL BLEEDING (HMB)
- What is heavy menstrual bleeding (HMB)?
- What causes heavy menstrual bleeding (HMB)?
- Can heavy menstrual bleeding (HMB) be treated?
- I think I have heavy menstrual bleeding (HMB), how can I prepare for my GP appointment?
Heavy menstrual bleeding (HMB), also known as menorrhagia, can be a serious and debilitating medical condition. It is defined by the impact it has on a woman’s physical, social and emotional quality of life, for example, if your monthly period limits your normal daily activities, or affects your role at work. Learn more about heavy menstrual bleeding (HMB) here.
PERIODS, A NATURAL PART OF THE MENSTRUAL CYCLE
For many, talking about periods can be a scary topic. When researching them alone, there is a lot of conflicting information out there, this makes it difficult to know which sources to trust. What are periods? How long should they last? How heavy should they be? Take a moment to learn a little more about this natural part of the menstrual cycle.
How heavy is too heavy?
It is not uncommon to experience heavier bleeding than usual on occasions but when does this become something you should speak to your doctor about? If your periods regularly last longer than 7 days and/or you regularly lose more than 13 teaspoons of blood this could be a sign of heavy menstrual bleeding (HMB), a legitimate medical condition.
PP-UN-WHC-GB-0103 September 2023
