Hey beautiful people,
Let’s talk periods. Yeah, I know – sometimes it feels like the most ‘hush-hush’ topic in our communities, the kind of thing we whisper about with our aunties or close girlfriends. But honestly, periods are a natural part of life for many of us. They’re a sign of our bodies working their magic, and it’s time we talked about them openly, honestly, and without any shame. Think of this as a big, virtual “chama” where we share our experiences, offer support, and learn from each other.
The Monthly Dance: Understanding Menstrual Pain
Let’s kick things off with menstrual pain, or as it’s known in medical circles, dysmenorrhea. Now, I know some of us sail through our periods with barely a twinge. Perhaps you only experience a mild heaviness in the tummy or a slight pull in the pelvic region. But for others, it’s like a full-on battle with severe cramps that make you want to curl up in bed and not move for days. Let’s be real, that intense pain can truly interfere with our daily lives – whether it’s making it to the market, studying for exams, or just hanging out with friends.
- Primary Dysmenorrhea: This is the most common type, and it’s like our uterus is having a mini dance-off. It contracts to help shed the uterine lining, and these contractions can cause pain. Teen girls, this is especially common after your first period. The good news is, it usually gets better as we get older. However, let’s not dismiss those experiencing intense pain.
- Secondary Dysmenorrhea: This type is often caused by an underlying health issue. The pain tends to get worse as we age and can last longer than regular cramps.
- Conditions like endometriosis, where the uterine lining grows outside the uterus, can cause swelling, pain, and can be quite a challenge. Imagine your womb lining going on an unplanned tour to other parts of your body – quite the troublemaker, right?
- Uterine fibroids, non-cancerous tumours that grow in or on the uterus, can also lead to pelvic pain and even bleeding at unexpected times.
- Ovarian cysts, those fluid-filled sacs on the ovaries, usually don’t cause trouble, but some can cause pain during periods or ovulation.
Actionable Insights
- Over-the-counter relief: Most period pain can be managed with over-the-counter pain relievers like naproxen, ibuprofen, or aspirin. Starting these when your period begins can ease the pain, and also help reduce heavy bleeding. It’s like preparing for battle by being proactive.
- Track your cycle: Keep a diary or use an app to track your periods and symptoms. This will not only help you understand your body’s rhythms but also provide useful data for your doctor to assist with diagnosis if needed.
- Don’t suffer in silence: If over-the-counter meds don’t help, or the pain interferes with your daily life, please see a doctor. This is not a weakness! It’s about taking care of your body.
My Period is Acting Up: Irregular Periods
Now, let’s talk about irregular periods. For some of us, the monthly cycle is as predictable as the sunrise. But for others, it can feel a bit like a rollercoaster. An irregular period means your cycle is shorter than 24 days or longer than 38 days. It can also mean your cycle length varies wildly from month to month – one month you’re at 25 days and the next you’re at 46. Think of it as a monthly mystery novel!
Irregular periods are quite common during teenage years and in perimenopause – that period when we are transitioning to menopause. Your cycles might be all over the place at these times.
But there are other reasons why your period might be acting up:
- Eating Disorders: Irregular or missed periods can be a sign of eating disorders like anorexia, bulimia or binge eating.
- Thyroid Issues: Conditions like hyperthyroidism, where your thyroid is overactive, can also make periods lighter and less frequent.
- Hormonal Imbalances: High levels of prolactin (the hormone that helps with breast milk production), or Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) can lead to irregular periods.
- Primary Ovarian Insufficiency (POI): When your ovaries stop working properly before the age of 40, this is different from early menopause and you may still have irregular periods.
- Other Factors: Stress, uncontrolled diabetes, obesity, certain medications and even infections like pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) can throw your cycle off balance.
Actionable Insights
- Recognise the pattern: Keep track of your period cycles. If things suddenly become irregular after being normal, that’s a red flag.
- Doctor’s visit: Visit your doctor, if your cycle is more frequent than every 24 days or less frequent than every 38 days, you should seek medical advice.
- Hormonal Birth Control: Your doctor might suggest hormonal birth control to help regulate your cycles. This isn’t just about preventing pregnancy – it can also be used to manage other menstrual health concerns.
When the Flow is Too Much: Heavy Bleeding
Let’s now delve into heavy bleeding. Now, there is a big difference between a regular period flow, and a flood! If you find yourself feeling like you’re bleeding way too much – so much so that it makes it difficult to go to work or school – then you are most likely experiencing heavy menstrual bleeding. It is more than just a nuisance; it can also impact your daily life.
What could be behind this heavy flow?
- Ovulation Problems: If your hormones are out of balance, the uterine lining can build up too much and bleed heavily.
- Uterine Lining Issues: An imbalance in your uterine lining can also cause excessive bleeding.
- Thyroid Problems: Hypothyroidism, where your thyroid is underactive, can also contribute to heavy periods.
- Fibroids and Polyps: As we’ve discussed, uterine fibroids and polyps can be major culprits.
- Other medical factors: Certain medications, pregnancy complications, and bleeding disorders like hemophilia can also play a part.
- Obesity: Like with irregular periods, excess fat in the body can produce extra estrogen, which can impact your menstrual cycle.
- ME/CFS: Some research suggests that women with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome may also have a higher risk for heavy bleeding.
Actionable Insights
- Track your flow: Note how long your period lasts, and if you’re using multiple pads or tampons within a short space of time. If your period is longer than eight days or you soak through pads/tampons every 1-2 hours, it’s time to see a doctor.
- Watch out for symptoms: Dizziness, lightheadedness, weakness, chest pain, or trouble breathing during or after your period can be signs of anaemia (lack of iron).
- Seek professional help: Don’t hesitate to visit the doctor if you have large clots in your menstrual flow.
Unexpected Bleeding: Abnormal Bleeding
Unusual bleeding refers to any bleeding that’s different from your normal period, or any bleeding outside of your normal cycle. Think spotting, unexpected bleeding, or bleeding after sex.
Here’s what might be behind it:
- Hormonal Changes: Changing hormone levels during puberty or perimenopause can cause irregular cycles or heavier periods.
- Endometriosis & Ovarian Cysts: As we’ve seen, these can be sources of pain, and unusual bleeding.
- Serious Health Concerns: Bleeding after menopause, or certain types of bleeding could indicate serious health conditions such as uterine, cervical, or ovarian cancer.
Actionable Insights
- Be mindful: Bleeding after sex or spotting between periods should prompt a visit to your doctor.
- Post-menopause bleeding: Any vaginal bleeding after menopause is a serious red flag and should be checked out immediately.
- Don’t wait: Your doctor may check for common issues, but it’s essential to seek medical advice for any unusual bleeding.
Where Did My Period Go?: Missing Periods
Okay, so what happens when your period goes MIA? Missing periods, or amenorrhea, can be alarming. It can mean that your ovaries are not producing normal amounts of oestrogen.
Here’s why it might happen:
- Pregnancy and Breastfeeding: These are natural reasons to miss your period.
- Eating Disorders and Weight Issues: If your body fat is too low, or if you’ve experienced a dramatic change in weight, your period may disappear.
- Stress: Long-term, severe stress can affect the reproductive part of your brain and stop ovulation.
- Hormonal Problems: This includes PCOS or problems with the reproductive organs.
- Other Health Issues: Including tumors in the brain and birth defects.
Actionable Insights
- Know when to worry: If you haven’t had a period for three months in a row (and you’re not pregnant or breastfeeding), or haven’t started your period by age 15, consult your doctor.
- Breast development check: If your breasts have not started growing by age 13 or you have not had a period three years after breast growth started, then please see a doctor.
Headaches Around Your Period? Menstrual Migraine
Finally, let’s talk about those killer headaches that seem to coincide with our periods, often called menstrual migraine. About four out of ten women will experience a migraine at some point, and about half of these migraines happen around the time of their period. Hormones that control the menstrual cycle affect brain chemicals and can result in a painful headache.
Actionable Insights
- Identify Triggers: Stress, anxiety, and bright lights can trigger migraines. Keeping track of your migraine triggers can help manage them.
- Know When to See a Doctor: If your headaches change or treatments that once worked no longer help, it’s time to see a doctor. If you take hormonal birth control and have migraine with aura (seeing flashing lights) you also need to seek medical advice.
- Managing migraines: Treatment can include medication, or botox injections.
Let’s Wrap Up This Beautiful Conversation
Look, periods aren’t always a walk in the park, and I want you to know that your experiences, whatever they may be, are valid. Knowing what’s normal (and what isn’t) is crucial, and we don’t have to go through it alone. We are all unique, and our bodies respond to all these changes differently.
So, what’s the main takeaway from this conversation? Listen to your body. If something feels wrong, don’t ignore it or suffer in silence. It’s about knowing your body and taking the right action to get help. Talking to other women, and your doctor is a great place to start. Let’s continue supporting each other, and creating a safe, open space where we can all share, learn, and thrive.
Until next time, take good care of yourselves, and keep shining!
Keywords used: menstrual pain, dysmenorrhea, irregular periods, heavy bleeding, abnormal bleeding, missing periods, amenorrhea, menstrual migraine, endometriosis, fibroids, ovarian cysts, hormonal birth control, thyroid problems, stress, PCOS, eating disorders, anaemia.
