How Do I Count The Days Of My Menstrual Cycle Do I Start Counting The Day I Start Bleeding Or When I Finish
Your cycle begins on the first day you have regular bleeding. Spotting doesnt count. For example, Cycle Day 1 is the first day of your period Cycle Day 2 is the second day of your period, Cycle Day 3 is the third day of your menstrual flow, and so forth.
As an example, create sample menstrual calendar for the month of January. Lets say you had spotting on January 3rd, but you didnt have regular bleeding until the next day. The first day of your menstrual period would be January 4th. The first day of your period is also called Cycle Day 1.
Now, create sample menstrual calendar for the month of February. Lets pretend your period started on the 2nd. In January, your period started on Jan. 4th and in February it started on the 2nd.
When your health care provider asks you: When was your last period? The answer is the date of the first day of your last period . Ex.= February 2nd.
To figure out how long your cycle is, start at cycle day 1 of your last menstrual cycle and begin counting . The length= the last cycle day before you started bleeding again. For example According to the January and February calendars, the cycle length would be 30 days, meaning your period comes on average, every 30 days. However, keep in mind that your cycle may vary in length.
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How Many Days In Between Periods Or In A Menstrual Cycle
The number of days between your period is your menstrual cycle. It varies among girls. It can be affected by stress, academic work, obesity, eating disorders or polycystic ovarian syndrome.
The number of days between period should be 21 to 35 days. If the number of days between your period is less than 21 or more than 35, you should let your doctor know
How Long Should Periods Last
First, its important to know how long your period should last. On average, the menstrual cycle is every 21 to 35 days and during your period, bleeding can last 2 to 7 days. But what is normal for one person might not be for another. However, heavier or longer periods can increase your chances of anemia.
Menorrhagia is when your period lasts longer than a week or its heavier than whats considered normal. Heavy bleeding means you are soaking through a pad or tampon after less than 2 hours, or you are passing clots that are larger than a quarter. Menorrhagia can increase your chances of anemia, a condition where your red blood cells dont have the capacity to carry oxygen to various tissues throughout your body.
If youve had heavy or prolonged bleeding, talk with your doctor to see if you should be tested for anemia. Supplementing or eating high-iron foods such as red meat, spinach, and poultry, or taking an iron supplement may help.
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Eat Foods That Are Rich In Potassium
Foods that contain a lot of potassium can contribute greatly to how long does period bloating last. Because they can help debloating your abdomen by lower the sodium levels and promotes the flow of urine, which is perfect if you are suffering from period bloating. Speaking of potassium, dont you think of bananas? They are indeed packed with potassium, and there are some more healthy foods that we recommend that you replace unhealthy snacks with:
- Dark leafy veggies, such as lettuce, spinach or kale
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You Have Uterine Polyps Or Fibroids
Uterine abnormalities, such as polyps or fibroids, can cause prolonged periods because they distort the endometrial cavity which can lead to increased blood flow, Dr. Toth explains. Basically, your body senses something in your uterus that isnt supposed to be there, and tries extra hard to get rid of it.
Polyps and fibroids sound scary, but theyre pretty commonup to 80 percent of women will have at least one before theyre 50, per the OWH. On their own, they dont indicate a serious disease, like cancer. Important to note: Black women are two to three times more likely to have fibroids than white women, and the reasons for their increased risk are not well understood or well studied due to lack of representation of Black women in research, notes Dr. Horton. Black women are also more likely to be hospitalized due to fibroids due to heavy, prolonged vaginal bleeding, pain, and symptoms from anemia.
But for many people, these benign growths dont have any symptoms, and if they do, its usually prolonged periods, says Dr. Toth. Most likely your doc will just recommend keeping an eye on them, but if they cause pain or grow very large they can be surgically removed.
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What Is Period And Why Do They Occur
Periods or menstruation are cyclical vaginal bleeding that may be regular or irregular. It occurs due to hormone changes in women.
Before age 10 16 years, its okay if you dont get periods. However, if you are older than 16 years with no period, then its abnormal.
During puberty, your body hormones, estrogen, and progesterone regulate how your period comes out.
They are both responsible for maturation and thickening of the lining covering your womb .
If fertilization and implantation occurs, then your period stops due to pregnancy. However, if implantation does not take place, your endometrium is washed out as period. You may also have some signs of period coming cramps, low back pain during period, sleepless night or acne before period.
Your Body’s Gearing Up For Menopause
Oh yes, simply getting older can mess with your period. Menopause, which technically means you’ve gone 12 or more months without a period, hits women around age 50. However, your body starts the natural decline in hormones that leads up to menopause as early as 35, says Christiane Northrup, MD, author of Womens Bodies, Womens Wisdom.
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When this happens, you may notice your periods getting longer or shorter, your cycle becoming more random, and other slight changes in your menstruation.
If you’ve ruled out everything else, and you’re in your mid- to late-30s, your prolonged periods might simply be due to the natural process of aging. There is, however, such a thing as early menopause, which can affect women even in their twenties. So talk to your doctor if this runs in your family or if you’re showing other signs of menopause, like a low sex drive or insomnia.
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How Do I Know If Im Ovulating
A few days before you ovulate, your vaginal mucus or discharge changes and becomes more slippery and clear. This type of mucus helps sperm move up into your uterus and into the fallopian tubes where it can fertilize an egg. Some women feel minor cramping on one side of their pelvic area when they ovulate. Some women have other signs of ovulation.
Luteinizing hormone is a hormone released by your brain that tells the ovary to release an egg . LH levels begin to surge upward about 36 hours before ovulation, so some women and their doctors test for LH levels. LH levels peak about 12 hours before ovulation.1 Women who are tracking ovulation to become pregnant will notice a slight rise in their basal temperature around ovulation. Learn more about tracking ovulation to become pregnant.
Spotting Vs Periods: Whats The Difference
A menstrual cycle can last anywhere from 15 to 45 days, according to research, during which a woman usually has her period for anywhere between three to seven days.
However, there can be times during a womans cycle where she experiences bleeding that isnt quite a period. It can happen at any time right before you get your period, mid-cycle or even after period bleeding. We call this spotting, and if you arent sure of the difference between this occurrence and your actual period, heres what you need to know.
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How Long Does An Average Period Last
Just so, how do I calculate my period cycle length?
To calculate menstrual cycle length, you count the number of days from day one of your period up to, and including, the day before the next period starts. The count does not include the first day of the next menstrual period, because thats Cycle Day 1 of the next cycle.
What is the average cycle length?
The menstrual cycle, which is counted from the first day of one period to the first day of the next, isnt the same for every woman. Menstrual flow might occur every 21 to 35 days and last two to seven days. For the first few years after menstruation begins, long cycles are common.
How do you count the days of your cycle?
The answer is the date of the first day of your last period . Ex.= February 2nd. To figure out how long your cycle is, start at cycle day 1 of your last menstrual cycle and begin counting . The length= the last cycle day before you started bleeding again.
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When To Get Checked Out
Normal cycles last between 24 to 35 days. Some teens might have shorter cycles of only 21 days, and others might go as long as 45 days between periods. Adults can have a range of between 21 to 35 days. See a doctor if your cycle falls outside of these ranges. Also, if youve been menstruating for more than two years and your period hasnt become regular, visit a healthcare provider.
Being sick or under stress can cause a delayed period or for you to skip it altogether. However, if you miss a period and are sexually active, definitely get checked out for a possible pregnancy. Also, visit a healthcare professional about your period if:
- You havent gotten your first period by age 15
- You dont menstruate for more than 90 days
- Your periods start to be very irregular after having previously been regular
- Your period lasts for more than seven days
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How Can I Know If My Period Is Too Heavy
It can be difficult to know whether you have normal menstrual bleeding or if your period is too heavy. Your period shouldnt interrupt your daily activities such as going to school or work, nor should it make you feel stressed or anxious. Signs that you may be bleeding too heavily during your period include:
- having to change your tampon or pad every hour
- bleeding or flooding which is not contained by a thick pad
- having to change your pad during the night
- bleeding for more than 8 days
- passing clumps of blood bigger than a 50-cent piece
If you are concerned that your period is too heavy, you should speak to your doctor to help you work out the cause of your heavy bleeding and to seek solutions.
How Can I Know If My Period Is Too ‘heavy’
It can be difficult to know whether you have normal menstrual bleeding or if your period is too heavy. Your period shouldnt interrupt your daily activities such as going to school or work, nor should it make you feel stressed or anxious. Signs that you may be bleeding too heavily during your period include:
- having to change your tampon or pad every hour
- bleeding or ‘flooding’ which is not contained by a thick pad
- having to change your pad during the night
- bleeding for more than 8 days
- passing clumps of blood bigger than a 50-cent piece
If you are concerned that your period is too heavy, you should speak to your doctor to help you work out the cause of your heavy bleeding and to seek solutions.
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Health Issues Related To Irreguar Periods
Unusually short or long periods can be caused by a number of factors, so these instances must all be studied and diagnosed by a gynecologist or another physician. Since every woman is different, some periods that are perceived as irregular may even be within the normal range. When periods are unusually short or do not occur at all, it can be caused by a condition called amenorrhea. This condition can be caused by several factors ranging from severe illness to a simple change in exercise habits, so personalized medical attention is important in diagnosing it. When periods are abnormally long or bleeding occurs between periods, it may be a condition called dysfunctional uterine bleeding. This disorder is typically highly manageable with hormone therapy or ordinary contraception, so women who experience periods like these should seek medical attention to being treatment.
References
- Everything a Girl Needs to Know About Her Periods, Jane Feinmann and Ronnie Sellers Productions, 2003
- Dr. Nieca Goldbergs Complete Guide to Womens Health, Nieca Goldberg, 2009
How Do You Tell If You Are Ovulating
It may be possible to know when you are ovulating by certain signs and symptoms, such as:
- Basal body temperature increase that is sustained
- Pain or a dull ache felt on one side of the abdomen when ovulation occurs
- Change in cervical fluid
- A heightened sense of vision, smell, or taste
- Elevated levels of luteinizing hormone, which can be detected on an ovulation test
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How Might Your Doctor Diagnose A Long Period
Your doctor will ask how often you get your period, how many days it lasts, and do you have bleeding in between your period or after sex, says Jodie Horton, MD, an ob-gyn in Oakton, Virginia, and chief wellness advisor for Love Wellness. Other important clues to determine what is causing your abnormal uterine bleeding is how heavy your periods are, what medications youre taking, if youve been tested for sexually transmitted infections and are up to date on your Pap smears. So you’ll want to know that info before your visit.
Your doctor may perform a pelvic exam to evaluate the cervix and the size and regularity of the uterus, as well as a pelvic ultrasound or hysteroscopy to see inside your cervix, uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries for any abnormalities.
It sounds scary, but most causes of prolonged menstrual bleeding aren’t a big deal and can be fixed or improved with the help of your doctor, Dr. Toth notes. And you deserve to have a normal period that doesn’t totally suck.
How Can I Keep Track Of My Menstrual Cycle
You can keep track of your menstrual cycle by marking the day you start your period on a calendar. After a few months, you can begin to see if your periods are regular or if your cycles are different each month.
You may want to track:
- Premenstrual syndrome symptoms: Did you have cramping, headaches, moodiness, forgetfulness, bloating, or breast tenderness?
- When your bleeding begins: Was it earlier or later than expected?
- How heavy the bleeding was on your heaviest days: Was the bleeding heavier or lighter than usual? How many pads or tampons did you use?
- Period symptoms: Did you have pain or bleeding on any days that caused you to miss work or school?
- How many days your period lasted: Was your period shorter or longer than the month before?
You can also download apps for your phone to track your periods. Some include features to track your PMS symptoms, energy and activity levels, and more.
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Youre Taking Certain Medications
Medications such as anti-inflammatories, aspirin, or other blood thinners can also affect your menstrual cycle, says Dr. Horton.
Aspirin and blood thinners prevent blood clots but can increase the flow of your period, she explains. These medications can thin the blood so much that it causes your menstrual cycle to be heavy and last longer than usual.
As such, it is important to take medicines as directed and if your period becomes heavier or prolonged, to contact your doctor, says Dr. Horton. You may need blood work to determine if you are taking too much medicine, and non-steroidal anti-inflammatories may be used to treat your heavy and prolonged periods.
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How Is Bleeding Between Periods Treated
If you have not yet discussed your vaginal bleeding with your doctor, its important you make an appointment to do so, as vaginal bleeding cannot be treated without knowing the cause.
If your doctor has diagnosed the cause of your bleeding, you can treat the bleeding by following their advice, such as by taking a course of antibiotics if you have an infection, or by changing to a different form of contraception if the bleeding is caused by the contraception you have been taking. If the bleeding is light and isnt bothering you, and a serious cause of the bleeding has been ruled out, it may not be necessary to do anything at all.
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How Long Does Period Bloating Last
During menstruation, you will go through some stages, which are:
- Stage 1. Premenstrual syndrome, which happens up to 2 weeks before the menstrual cycle start. You might experience bloating at this stage, or a few days before your period.
- Stage 2. Menstrual cycle starts. Your womb lining and period blood begin to shed until the end of menstruation.
- Stage 3. Postmenstrual because of hormonal changes you can be bloated and have CRAMPS AFTER PERIOD. This can happen for around 1 2 weeks.
So the answer to your question of how long does period bloating last is: bloating can take place up to 2 weeks before period starts and 1 2 weeks after period ends. Isnt that the worst? But there are so many home-based methods to help with the situation, and look no further, because this is the ultimate guide to prevent and ease your bloated belly!
Briefly speaking, your dietary habits are most likely the deciding factor that influences the length of time that you are bloated. The next part of the article will go into details on what you should do to shorten the duration of the bloat or alleviate the symptoms.
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