What Happens When You Have Your Period

You’re Clumsier During Your Period

What to do if I get my periods in school?

Yes, during your period, you may feel like the clumsiest person in the world there is a reason for it. Studies suggest that because your hormones are fluctuating, when your estrogen increases, your liver starts to produce its own hormones that affect your kidneys, which causes you to bloat and retain fluid, making it harder for you to stay balanced.

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Do You Need To Use Condoms While Having Sex On Your Period

There are two significant reasons to avoid having unprotected sex during your period:

  • Although less likely, its always possible that you could become pregnant. If youre not trying to get pregnant, you should always have protected sex. You will need to use some form of contraception, like a condom or birth control pills.
  • Having sex during your period without a condom can increase your chances of getting or passing on an STI. Viruses like HIV may be present in menstrual blood, so its essential to use a condom to reduce the risk of infection.
  • Pms Is Still A Mystery

    Itâs 1 or 2 weeks before your period starts, and here come the breakouts, sluggishness, cravings, bloating, and mood swings. Sound familiar? Every woman is different, but for many, PMS is a fact of life.

    But doctors donât know exactly why that is. It seems to be a mix of hormone changes during your menstrual cycle, chemical changes in the brain, and other emotional issues you might have, such as depression, that can make PMS worse.

    Whatâs more, once you get your period, the rollercoaster may continue. One study found that period-related pains such as cramps, bloating, backaches, and headaches can cloud your thinking, because the pain may make it harder for you to focus on the tasks at hand. Not that you canât still do them — you can. It may just feel like it takes more work.

    Lifestyle changes are usually the best way to take control of PMS. Aim to get about 30 minutes of exercise most days of the week, get 8 hours of shut-eye per night, and donât smoke. Your diet makes a difference, too, so fill up on fruits, veggies, and whole grains while you limit salt as well as sugar, caffeine, and alcohol.

    Let your doctor know if PMS keeps you from doing what you normally do, or if you have symptoms of depression or anxiety. You may have a more serious condition called premenstrual dysphoric disorder that needs medical attention.

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    Doctors Say Go For It

    If the patient is comfortable with it, then its great to continue having sex throughout the month and not have to take a break, says Ford. Its perfectly natural and safe for both partners.

    To avoid stained sheets , she recommends putting a towel down on the bed, or getting busy in the shower. And dont be concerned if you see dark red or brown clumps during or after sex thats just older blood and cells of your uterine lining, and its perfectly normal.

    It May Decrease Your Risk Of Cancer

    7 Ways Your Period Is Telling You That You Need to Go to a Gynaecologist

    TheCenters for Disease Control and Prevention identifies alcohol as a carcinogen, meaning that drinking raises the risk of cancer. Alcohol has been associated with mouth and throat cancer, cancer in the larynx, esophagus, colon and liver, and breast cancer in women. Scientifically speaking, the body breaks alcohol into a chemical called acetaldehyde, which is a known contributor to tumors.

    But longer-term cessation decreases the risk of developing cancer because the body isnt exposed to this toxin, said Dr. Lawrence Weinstein, a board-certified physician and chief medical officer of American Addiction Centers.

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    Referral To A Specialist

    If your GP thinks an underlying medical condition might have caused your periods to stop, they may refer you to a specialist.

    Depending on what your GP thinks is causing the problem, you may be referred to:

    • a gynaecologist a specialist in treating conditions affecting the female reproductive system
    • an endocrinologist a specialist in treating hormonal conditions

    You may have a full gynaecological examination and various tests, including:

    When Do Periods Stop

    Your periods will continue until you reach the menopause, which usually happens when you are in your late 40s to mid-50s. In the UK the average age of menopause is 51.

    Your periods may start to become less frequent over a few months or years before stopping altogether. In some cases they can stop suddenly.

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    Pads And Panty Liners

    Sanitary pads are rectangular pieces of absorbent material that you stick inside your underwear.

    All pads have a sticky strip on the bottom. Thats what attaches the pad to your underwear.

    Some have extra material on the sides, known as wings, that you fold over the edges of your underwear. This helps keep the pad in place.

    Pads typically need to be changed every four to eight hours, but there isnt a set rule. Simply change it if the material feels sticky or wet.

    They come in different sizes. Each size is made to accommodate a different level of bleeding.

    Generally speaking, the smaller the pad, the less blood it can hold.

    Youll probably use a more absorbent pad at the beginning of your period then switch to something lighter once the bleeding slows down.

    You may also find it helpful to wear a heavier pad overnight so you dont have to worry about leakage.

    Even the largest pads are still quite thin, so you shouldnt be able to see it through your clothes. If youre worried that people might be able to tell, stick to looser-fit bottoms.

    Panty liners are smaller, thinner versions of a sanitary pad.

    You may find it helpful to use them a couple of days before your period is supposed to start to prevent accidentally bleeding on your underwear.

    You may also want to use panty liners toward the end of your period, as the bleeding may be spotty and unpredictable.

    Youre Experiencing An Ectopic Pregnancy

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    An unusually heavy period can be a sign of an ectopic pregnancy , says Dr. Horton. Taking a pregnancy test can help you figure out if that’s what’s going on.

    If you have a positive pregnancy test and have pain and vaginal bleeding, you should be evaluated, she says. Your doctor will get blood work and a pelvic ultrasound to see where the pregnancy is located and, if it is ectopic, treat it with medicine or surgery. Unfortunately, it’s not safe for a mother to carry an ectopic pregnancy.

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    Should I Watch For Any Problems

    Most girls don’t have any problems with their periods. But call your doctor if you:

    • are 15 and haven’t started your period
    • have had your period for more than 2 years and it still doesn’t come regularly
    • have bleeding between periods
    • have severe cramps that don’t get better with ibuprofen or naproxen
    • have very heavy bleeding
    • have periods that last more than about a week
    • have severe PMS that gets in the way of your everyday activities

    Your Breasts Are Way More Sensitive Around Your Period

    When you are about to start your period or you are on it, you may notice that your breasts, specifically your nipples, are more sensitive than usual. You may be super tender and any slight touch might be painful, but it’s totally normal. Things should go back to how they usually are within a few days.

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    This Is Exactly What Happens During Your Menstrual Cycle

    Your menstrual cycle takes your body on a wild ride, all to achieve a single goal. The menstrual cycle has one purpose and one purpose only: reproduction, Lauren Streicher, M.D., an associate professor of clinical obstetrics and gynecology at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, tells SELF. The entire menstrual cycle is set up to prepare your body for possible pregnancy.

    Depending on where you are in life and whether or not you want to have children, this notion can be terrifying or thrilling. Either way, its a good idea to know exactly what happens at each point in your menstrual cycle. This knowledge can help you better avoid getting pregnant, make it easier to get pregnant, or just give you a glimpse into the pretty incredible process your body goes through each month .

    The first day of your period marks the beginning of your cycle, which is the number of days between the start of one period and the start of the next. This will usually be around 28 days, but theres a lot of room for variation here. A menstrual cycle that lasts anywhere between 21 and 35 days is normal, according to the Mayo Clinic.

    So you know the drill on these days: Your period arrives and you’re probably in for some bleeding and discomfort for a few days. But what you may not realize is that even as you’re shedding the uterine lining that was built up in your previous menstrual cycle, your pituitary gland and ovaries are already getting ready to build that lining back up again.

    When Should I See A Doctor

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    You should talk to your doctor if:

    • you are 16 years or older and haven’t started to have periods
    • your periods are getting heavier
    • your periods last for more than 8 days
    • your periods are less than 3 weeks apart
    • the pattern of your periods changes
    • your periods have stopped and youre not sure why
    • you are bleeding after menopause
    • you have severe period pain

    You can also talk to your doctor if, for any reason, your periods are affecting your wellbeing or enjoyment of life.

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    When You Have Your Period You May Experience Back Pain

    It’s not uncommon to experience pain during your menstrual cycle, whether it’s in the form of abdominal cramps or pain somewhere else. Still, some pain is harder to manage, and that can be a sign of something bigger. However, back pain is a pretty common symptom when you have you period, though extreme back pain isn’t.

    According to Medical News Today, “primary dysmenorrhea,” or pain caused by your period, is common. In fact, the website reported, “Most people who menstruate experience some form of primary dysmenorrhea, be it cramping, aching, or lower back pain.” However, if that back pain becomes severe, it might be a sign that something bigger is going on. Severe back pain during your period can actually be a symptom of endometriosis, which can cause health complications, as noted by Healthline. Lower back pain associated with cramps is normal, but if the pain becomes unbearable and you can’t take it, you should go see a doctor.

    How Do I Choose A Pad Or Tampon That Is Right For Me

    There are smaller, slender pads and tampons available that young women often prefer, particularly when they first start menstruating. You may find it helpful to use different products over the course of your period, with more absorbent tampons or pads being used on heavier flow days, and smaller tampons or pantiliners on low flow days. Each woman has her own preferences and whatever works best for your body is just fine!

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    What Do I Need To Do To Prepare For My First Period

    There is nothing in particular you need to do to prepare for your first period, besides having feminine hygiene products and over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen or naproxen on hand. If you happen to get your period with no access to menstrual products, toilet paper will work in an emergency. If you get your first period at school, your teacher or school nurse will have a pantiliner or pad on hand.

    There are a variety of menstrual products available to you:

    Disposable pads

    These absorbent pads have an adhesive backing that sticks to the inside of your underwear. They are available in different lengths and absorbencies, and some have adhesive wings that wrap around the sides of your underwear. Disposable pads should be changed every 4-6 hours and are thrown out after a single use.

    Pantiliners

    These are small, thin, disposable absorbent pads that can be used on their own on days of light flow. They can also be used in combination with a tampon, in case of leaks or discharge.

    Reusable pads

    These are usually made of cotton, bamboo, or other natural absorbent fibres, and are often available at health food stores. They can be washed with detergent and reused. Some have velcro tabs to secure them around your underwear.

    Tampons

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    What To Do When You Get Your Period

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    Before you start getting periods it is good to be prepared for when it eventually comes. Hopefully you will have an opportunity to talk with your mother or sister or someone else in your family who can help you to prepare. Meanwhile here are some tips for when you do start bleeding.

    • Keep a period kit somewhere handy. This is because you might get your period unexpectedly or forget its due. Keeping some painkillers, period products and a spare pair of underpants in your bag, at school or at work can be a lifesaver.
    • Enjoy life as much as possible. Its safe and often possible to do all the things you would normally do. Its also okay to have sex when you have your period, but if youre using a tampon youll need to take it out first.

    If you have period pain you can take painkillers that you can buy over the counter at the chemist. If your pain isnt relieved with regular painkillers, visit your GP .

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    You Have An Underlying Blood Disorder

    It’s rare, but it’s possible that extra-long periods are a sign of an underlying illness, like a hematologic disease, says Dr. Toth. Some of the underlying diseases associated with bleeding, like hemophilia or Von Willebrand disease, are genetic, so if you have this you likely already know about it.

    Still, if your periods are lasting a super-long time, and you’ve already been cleared for other conditions, it’s worth checking in with your doctor about tests to rule out a blood disorder that you might not be aware of.

    You Might Like It A Lot

    Arousal is different for every woman, and some may be too distracted by their period and its annoyances to actually get in the mood for sex. But for others, menstruation could actually be a turn-on of sorts. Thats because your estrogen and testosterone are low on day 1, but they start to rise by day 3. Some women report they feel more aroused and more sensitive around this time, says Ford says.

    Plus, your flow can serve as extra lubrication during sex, which can also increase pleasure. If you typically use a store-bought lubricant to help with dryness during sex, this may be your week to go natural. And some research suggests that orgasms can even relieve menstrual cramping and PMS.

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    Don’t panic if you notice brown discharge typically this happens when your uterus is expelling the first few bits or last little bits of period blood, causing your discharge to have a brown tint to it. Completely normal.

    But keep in mind: if you experience green, yellow, or a strong-smelling discharge, definitely consult your doctor to make sure everything’s healthy down there. Things like yeast infections and other conditions can cause discharge that you’ll need to clear up with medication.

    Changes In Your Periods

    What is Your Period Blood Telling You?

    Your periods can change for example, they may last longer or get lighter. This does not necessarily mean there’s a problem, but it does need to be investigated.

    You can see your GP, or visit your nearest women’s clinic or contraceptive clinic.

    Bleeding between periods, bleeding after having sex, or bleeding after the menopause needs to be checked by a doctor.

    It might be caused by an infection, abnormalities in the neck of the womb or, in rare cases, it could be cancer.

    You could be pregnant if you miss a period and you’ve had sex. See your GP if you’ve taken a pregnancy test and the result is negative and you’ve missed 3 consecutive periods.

    They will investigate the cause and recommend any necessary treatment.

    Read more about stopped or missed periods.

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    Your Period Has Slowed Or Stopped

    The big question if you’re not getting your period is — how old are you?

    The cause of a missing menstrual period varies by age. “To quit having periods at age 25 is a significantly different issue than quitting at age 50,” Loffer says.

    For a woman in their 20s or 30s who is sexually active, pregnancy is always a possibility. “Even if a woman thinks she’s protected, that’s not an absolute guarantee,” Loffer says.

    On the other hand, women in their 40s or 50s could be in perimenopause — the period surrounding menopause. As your ovaries slow their estrogen production, periods become less frequent. Periods also can get shorter or lighter during perimenopause. Once your periods stop for a full 12 months in a row, you’re in menopause. The average age for menopause is 51.

    Another possible cause of missed periods is excessive exercise. Anywhere from 5% to 25% of female athletes work out so hard that they stop getting their periods. Called exercise-induced amenorrhea, this phenomenon is particularly common among ballet dancers and runners. Intense exercise affects the production and regulation of reproductive hormones involved in the menstrual cycle.

    For similar reasons, women who have eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa can also stop getting their period. Severely restricting the amount of calories you eat suppresses the release of hormones your body needs for ovulation.

    Other possible causes of missed periods include:

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