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
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 bleeding will typically last between 2 to 8 days. Learn more about periods here. If your periods regularly last longer than 7 days it may be worthwhile booking an appointment with your doctor as you may be suffering from a condition called heavy menstrual bleeding. Learn more about heavy menstrual bleeding here.
Typically you will lose between 3 to 15 teaspoons of blood in each period. Learn more about periods here. If you regularly lose more than 13 teaspoons of blood it may be worthwhile booking an appointment with your doctor as you may be suffering from a condition called heavy menstrual bleeding. Learn more about heavy menstrual bleeding here.
The first two days of a period are often the heaviest with the blood being red in colour but on lighter days you may find that the blood is pink, brown or black. Learn more about periods here. If your blood or discharge is orange or grey it may indicate an infection. Consult your doctor if you do have any concerns about colour changes to your period blood.
The average age for periods to start is 12 (during puberty) but for some girls they will begin earlier and others later, everyone is different. Learn more about when periods start here. If you do have any concerns it may be worthwhile booking an appointment with your doctor and/or if you are comfortable and able to do so, discussing this with your parents/carer
As you approach your first period you may notice some of the following symptoms:
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Watery white/yellowish vaginal discharge
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Lower abdominal/stomach cramps
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Acne
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Bloating
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Mood swings
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Tiredness (fatigue) and/or breast tenderness/soreness
Learn more about when periods start here.
When periods begin it is a good time to consider if you need contraception and if so what option is right for you. Learn more about contraception here. Healthcare professionals such as doctors, nurses and pharmacists will be able to support you when making the decision and if you are under the age of 16, they will not tell your parents or carer, as long as they believe you fully understand the information you are given and the choices you’re making. If you are comfortable and able to do so you can include your parents or carer in the discussion. You may decide to track your period in an app, calendar or diary to better help you manage your period. Learn more about managing your period here.
If your period has not arrived by the age of 16 it may be worthwhile booking an appointment with your doctor, normally a delay in starting your periods isn't something to worry about, it is likely that they will be able to help identify why your period is delayed and discuss treatment options if required. Learn more about menstrual health here.
Tracking your period may help along with having the period product(s) on hand that suit you and your lifestyle best. Learn more about managing your period here.
Tracking your period (first day, the number of days it lasts, shortest and longest time between periods, the amount you bleed, how you feel, etc.) in an app, calendar or diary may help you manage your period. Learn more about managing your period here.
There are many period products to choose from to help manage the bleeding and these come in the shape of pads, tampons, menstrual cups and pants. Learn more about managing your period here.
Many women experience pain as part of their period and the severity can vary from dull achy cramps to unmanagable intense pain. For milder pain you may find undertaking gentle exercise and/or using pain relief medicine eases the pain, but for severe pain it may be worthwhile booking an appointment with your doctor. Learn more about managing your period here.
In the weeks before your period you may experience mood swings, headaches, tiredness, stomach pain and spotty skin. These can be symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) which is thought to be linked to the changes in hormone levels as part of your menstrual cycle. If the symptoms are affecting your daily activities and quality of life it may be worthwhile booking an appointment with your doctor.
The are a number of reasons why your periods may be irregular. Learn more about changes to your period here.
If your period is late and you've had sex it may be worthwhile taking a pregnancy test. Learn more about changes to your period here. Missed or late periods happen for many reasons other than pregnancy. Causes can range from hormonal imbalances to medical conditions. If you are concerned it could be worthwhile booking an appointment with your doctor.
Irregular periods are when the length of your menstrual cycle keeps changing, this isn't always a sign that something is wrong but it may be worthwhile booking an appointment to see you doctor just in case.
It is likely that, from time to time, you will experience heavier than usual bleeding during your menstrual period, but it can be hard to know if this is normal or if your periods are heavy compared with other women. Learn more about heavy periods here. 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) and it may be worthwhile booking an appointment with your doctor.
Periods can differ from person to person and are a natural part of the menstrual cycle however heavy menstrual bleeding is not OK and is not normal. Complete our questionnaire to help you understand if you may have heavy menstrual bleeding (HMB). Take questionnaire.
The average age for periods to stop is 51 but some women will experience this sooner and others later (typically between 45 and 55). When periods stop this is known as the menopause (12 months without a period) and this comes as a result of lower hormone levels. Learn more about when periods stop and the menopause here. If you do have any concerns it may be worthwhile booking an appointment with your doctor.
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.
A typical cycle lasts 28 days. Learn more about the menstrual cycle here.
There are 4 stages to the menstrual cycle, the menstruation phase, the follicular phase, the ovulation phase and the luteal phase. Learn more about the menstrual cycle here.
HEAVY MENSTRUAL BLEEDING (HMB)
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.
For the majority of women with HMB there is no obvious cause. However some conditions such as endometriosis and fibroids have been linked to HMB.
Heavy menstrual bleeding (HMB) is a treatable condition and there are a wide range of treatment options available. Learn more about the treatments for heavy menstrual bleeding (HMB) here.
If you feel your periods are impacting your daily life and you may be suffering from HMB, it is important to seek advice from your GP. During your consultation, your GP is likely to ask you key questions, which will enable them to make a clear diagnosis of HMB. Learn more about preparing for your GP appointment 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
