What Is Normal Bleeding
There is a range of normal bleeding some women have short, light periods and others have longer, heavy periods. Your period may also change over time.
Normal menstrual bleeding has the following features:
- Your period lasts for 3-8 days
- Your period comes again every 21-35 days
- The total blood loss over the course of the period is around 2-3 tablespoons but secretions of other fluids can make it seem more
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How Do I Deal With Pms And Cramps
PMS stands for Premenstrual Syndrome. Its when the hormones that control your menstrual cycle cause changes in your body and emotions around the time of your period.
Some of the most common PMS symptoms are:
Some people get PMS every time they have their periods. Others only get PMS every once in awhile. You may have all or just some PMS symptoms. And some people dont get PMS at all. Learn more about PMS.
Cramps are one of the most common symptoms to have before/during your period. They can be super painful, or just a little annoying. You can calm cramps by taking pain medicine . Putting a heating pad where it hurts, taking a hot bath, exercising, or stretching your body can also help. Learn more about how to deal with cramps.
Certain types of birth control like the pill, shot, implant, and IUD can help with PMS and other period problems. If your PMS is so bad that its hard to do normal activities during your period, talk to an adult you trust or your family doctor. You can also call your local Planned Parenthood health center. You shouldnt have to suffer every month, and they can help you find the cause and get treatment.
Is It Implantation Bleeding Or Period Spotting
Some experts claim spotting that starts off brown or wine-colored and becomes a brighter red is most likely the start of your period. But George Patounakis, M.D., Ph.D., FACOG, a fertility specialist in Florida, says Googling pictures wont help if youre wondering what implantation bleeding looks like. Theres no way to tell the difference between intermenstrual bleeding and implantation bleeding just by looking, he says.
If you want to determine whether you have implantation bleeding or your period, you should pay attention to the following three symptoms instead.
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Your Body Feels Sore And Achy
What Happens During A Menstrual Cycle
The menstrual cycle begins with the first day of bleeding and ends the day before the next menstrual bleeding.
During the follicular phase, the levels of estrogen start to rise. Estrogen plays an important role in keeping you healthy, especially by helping keep bones strong as you get older. Estrogen also makes the lining of the uterus grow and thicken. This lining of the womb is a place that will nourish the embryo when pregnancy occurs. At the same time, an egg in one of the ovaries starts to mature. On about day 14 of an average 28-day cycle, the egg leaves the ovary. This is called ovulation, and it is at this point that the luteal phase begins.
If it gets fertilized, the embryo travels through the fallopian tube to the uterus. Hormone levels rise and help prepare the uterine lining for pregnancy. A person with a uterus who ovulates is most likely to get pregnant from having sex during the 4-5 days before or on the day of ovulation. Women with cycles that are shorter or longer than average may ovulate before or after day 14.
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Causes Of Breast Pain During Or Around Your Period
The most likely cause of breast pain or breast swelling around your period are hormonal changes during the menstrual cycle. As the start of your period approaches, increased levels of progesterone are the most likely to cause tenderness or pain.
Progesterone levels increase after and peak around day 21 of a 28-day cycle before falling as the period approaches. Breast pain around this time could be due to growth of the breasts milk glands due to high levels of progesterone However, if you notice breast pain that persists or you have it other times of your menstrual cycle, talk to your doctor to rule out anything more serious.
Breast Pain Or Tender Breasts
Tender breasts or breast pain are common period or pre-period symptoms. Tenderness or pain due to menstruation can:
- Feel like a dull, heavy or aching pain that can range from mild to severe.
- Begin up to two weeks before the period, get worse with time and then go away once the period is over.
- Affect both breasts and can even spread to the area around the armpit.
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How Do I Know When I Will Get My Next Period
Its impossible to predict when your next period will start. Most girls and women go about 28 days from the first day of one period to the first day of the next, but anywhere from 21-35 days is normal. Especially in the first few years of menstruating, your period may be very irregular. If you track your period on a calendar , you will begin to notice a pattern over time. You can use this menstrual diary to keep track of your periods.
Your Face Is Breaking Out More Than Usual
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Another Sign Your Child Is Close To Starting Their Period: Body Hair
Not long after your child begins to develop breasts, they may start to notice hair growing in places they didnt have hair before. Coarser hair will begin to grow on their legs, their underarms. and in their genital area. Pubic hair typically starts to grow a short time after breast buds appear, and is yet another sign that your child is getting nearer to menstruation.
Body hair growth can also make your child begin to feel self-conscious about the changes that are happening. Its important to be supportive during this time, and if necessary, talk to your child about personal grooming if theyve expressed a desire to begin shaving.
A Warm Bath With Baking Soda
Hot water stimulates blood circulation throughout the body, which is very important to having a period.
- Put 5 spoonfuls of baby powder or baking soda into your bathwater.
- While taking a bath, try to let the water out of the bathtub as much as possible and stay in the tub for 15 minutes.
You can achieve the same effect by putting warm water bottles on your abdomen or back. You should wear these hot packs for a few hours before trying to induce menstruation.
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How Does My Menstrual Cycle Change As I Get Older
Your cycles may change in different ways as you get older. Often, periods are heavier when you are younger and usually get lighter in your 20s and 30s. This is normal.
- For a few years after your first period, menstrual cycles longer than 38 days are common. Girls usually get more regular cycles within three years of starting their periods. If longer or irregular cycles last beyond that, see your doctor or nurse to rule out a health problem, such as polycystic ovary syndrome .5
- In your 20s and 30s, your cycles are usually regular and can last anywhere from 24 to 38 days.
- In your 40s, as your body starts the transition to menopause, your cycles might become irregular. Your menstrual periods might stop for a month or a few months and then start again. They also might be shorter or last longer than usual, or be lighter or heavier than normal.
Talk to your doctor or nurse if you have menstrual cycles that are longer than 38 days or shorter than 24 days, or if you are worried about your menstrual cycle.
Abdominal Bloating Gas And Pain
Do you feel your abdomen is swelling up just before period?
Abdomen bloating is swelling and tightening experienced by women which could occur for many reasons. If you are expecting your period, a hard, distended and tight abdomen may indicate your period will start soon.
Other causes of bloating are pregnancy, anorexia nervosa , ovarian cyst and hormone imbalance.
What to do?
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My Period Just Started What Should I Do
If youve started your period and dont have something to use for the blood, try not to worry. You can fashion a temporary pad out of toilet paper to hold things over until youre able to get a proper pad or tampon.
Heres how:
If youre at school, you may consider asking your teacher or nurse for a pad or tampon. Theyve been asked before trust us.
Your first period may only last a couple of days. Your first period . .
It may take a couple of months for your period to settle into a regular schedule and consistency.
Once it does, your period may last anywhere from two to seven days each month.
Although a persons first few periods are often light bringing a few spots of red-brown blood throughout the week you may have a heavier flow.
Your monthly period will follow a more consistent pattern once your hormones stabilize.
Heavier bleeding isnt necessarily cause for concern. But if you feel like youre losing too much blood, tell your guardian or talk to the school nurse.
You should also tell a trusted adult if you:
Respiratory Illnesses Leading To Early Surge In Child Hospitalizations Heres What To Know
Fall and winter are usually the times respiratory illnesses spike, but a recent surge in child hospitalizations in the Chicago area has some health officials concerned.
Right now were seeing a lot of RSV, were seeing some other respiratory viruses, you know, lot of kids right now being hospitalized broadly with some respiratory viruses more traditional ones, Chicago Department of Public Health Commissioner Dr. Allison Arwady said during a Facebook Live Tuesday.
Health experts across the area are reporting a rise in hospitalizations due to respiratory illnesses in children. And some say the COVID pandemic could have an impact on this surge.
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Abnormal Signs And Symptoms
Although PMS symptoms are far from fun, theyll likely remain mild enough not to interfere with your day-to-day life in any major way. If you find yourself experiencing severe cramps, aches, fatigue, or any other symptoms that get in the way of things like work, school, or social plans, it may be time to consider visiting a doctor.
Severe mood swings that dip into panic attacks or suicidal thoughts are also important symptoms to address with a healthcare professional.
If you have severe symptoms, you may have premenstrual dysphoric disorder . This is a more severe form of PMS. A doctors care may be the best treatment.
If you have severe migraines, you may also benefit from seeing your doctor. Underlying health issues, such as irritable bowel syndrome or endometriosis, might also make PMS more severe, requiring a doctors help.
What To Do About Pms Symptoms
So these are the signs youre about to start your period. Sounds annoying right? To overcome some of the issues, you may have to try some self-help techniques, such as performing gentle exercise, taking painkillers, massaging your lower abdomen, and applying a heat pad to your tummy. Paracetamol and NSAIDs usually provide relief from pain, but sometimes, your healthcare provider may prescribe stronger painkillers such as codeine to reduce pain and discomfort. You will have to make subtle changes to your diet to deal with symptoms such as weight gain.
Heres more about how to relieve PMS symptoms:
Here are a few tips that will help you calculate your cycle length and duration to manage your periods better:
- Be sure to count the days from the day you have your period. You should also count the first day of the subsequent period. This will help you calculate your cycle length. The length is usually up to 28 days, but some women may have it up to 35 days.
- Maintain a record by noting the first and last day of your period. Keeping a record will help determine the length of your cycle to make things more manageable.
- Make use of an app to keep track of your period and your cycle length. There are several nice options available, such as MyMenstrualCalendar and MyMonthlyCycles.
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Raised Basal Body Temperature
If youve been using a special basal body thermometer to track your first morning temperature, you might notice that it rises around 1 degree when you conceive and stays elevated throughout your pregnancy.
Though not a foolproof early pregnancy symptom , it could give you advance notice of the big news.
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Risk Factors For Bleeding After Sex
You may have a higher chance of bleeding after sex if you:
- Have cancer of the cervix, , or uterus
- Are going through menopause or perimenopause
- Had a baby not long ago or are breastfeeding
- Arenât fully aroused before vaginal penetration
- Have an infected cervix
- Have a sexually transmitted disease or sexually transmitted infection
How Do I Use A Tampon
Inserting a tampon for the first time can be a bit of a challenge. Its hard to know exactly how to position your body and at what angle to put the tampon in. After a few tries, you will figure out what works best for you. Its best to use slender size tampons when you are learning. If you arent exactly sure where your vaginal opening is, use a mirror to have a look at your vulva .
To insert a tampon that has an applicator:
To insert a tampon without an applicator:
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