What Your Period Says About Your Health

The frequency, length, and intensity of your periods vary from person to person. If yours isn't the same as your friend or sister's, that's okay—as long as it suits your body. But knowing what's normal and healthy for you will help you notice something wrong more quickly. In this blog post, we'll tell you all about problems with your period.

Common menstrual problems + the causes

You bleed a lot or for a long time during your period

By heavy bleeding we mean that you have to change your tampon, cup or sanitary towel every 1 or 2 hours , or when your period lasts for more than a week .

If you experience this, it could indicate hormonal problems or an infection such as pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). When should you see a doctor?

• If you notice that your periods are becoming heavier.
• If they affect your daily life.

You don't get your period at all

If you don't get your period, you might be pregnant. If that was your plan, congratulations! Not pregnant? Then there's probably something else going on. Stress, being underweight, or certain medications can cause your periods to stop.

If you miss your period for several months in a row and also have other symptoms (such as acne, hair growth or hair loss, or if you gain or lose weight), it is wise to make an appointment with your doctor as soon as possible.

Your periods are irregular

If your cycle lasts longer than 40 days, or if the length of your cycle varies by more than 7 to 9 days per month, you may have irregular periods. There can be many reasons for this, such as stress, hormonal imbalance, or PCOS.

Breastfeeding can also cause irregular periods. The hormone prolactin, which is released during breastfeeding, can cause your periods to stop or become irregular. Your periods will return naturally when you nurse less frequently or stop breastfeeding altogether.

Your period comes often

Some women have their period every three weeks. Fortunately, this is often nothing to worry about. Anywhere between 22 and 40 days is normal. If you have your period more often than every three weeks, it could be due to being overweight, losing weight, or being stressed. If you're concerned, it's wise to talk to your doctor.

You bleed between your periods

There are many reasons why you might experience bleeding between periods. This could be due to hormonal imbalances or the type of contraception you're using. It could also be a sign of early pregnancy.

There are many possible reasons, from innocent, very nice or a bit scary (endometriosis, fibroids, polyps or even an STD).

If you often have bleeding between your periods, we recommend that you visit your doctor.

You suffer a lot from cramps

About 50% of all women experience cramps. They occur when the walls of your uterus contract. It's not always possible to determine the specific cause.

Cramps often occur because you have more of the hormone prostaglandin than normal. If the cramps are so severe that they're interfering with your daily life, make an appointment with your doctor. Pay attention to any other symptoms you have, as this can help determine the cause.

If you experience severe cramps, we recommend contacting us. Our team is ready to help and will do everything we can to alleviate your symptoms.

The color of your menstrual blood, and what it says about your health

The color and consistency of menstrual blood vary from person to person. Generally, it's clear or slightly darker red. It's often thicker at the beginning of your period. Furthermore, an unusual color can indicate something about your health.

This is what the colors of your menstrual blood mean:

• Bright red menstrual blood: Great! Bright red blood is normal and completely healthy.
• Brown menstrual blood : Brown blood is old, oxidized blood. It's blood that didn't come out during your previous period. This can be caused by low progesterone levels, which can cause unpleasant menstrual symptoms and irregular ovulation.
• Purple menstrual blood: If your blood is purple, like frozen blueberries, it's a sign that you have too much estrogen. If your estrogen is much higher than your progesterone levels, this can also cause various menstrual problems.
• Light pink menstrual blood : A short period with light bleeding can be a sign of low estrogen levels. Your hormones are directly linked to what you eat. Low estrogen levels can be caused by not getting enough vitamins or nutrients, for example, due to a strict diet. Another trigger is excessive stress. If you're so stressed that it affects your period, it can even lead to burnout, so take good care of yourself and get your rest!

If you are concerned about the color of your menstrual blood, it is wise to make an appointment with your doctor.

PMS symptoms

Do you suffer from PMS symptoms such as mood swings, headaches, breast tenderness, acne, cravings, or bloating?

You are not alone.

About 90% of women experience these kinds of complaints. But even though they're common, they're not normal. For generations, we've been told that "it's just part of life," but that's simply not the case.

Small lifestyle changes may alleviate your symptoms. Want to learn more about changing your lifestyle? Read our blog about how to eat according to your cycle .

Ready to improve your cycle? We can help! Chat with us (we're real people, not robots ;-)), join our awesome Facebook community , or DM us on Instagram !