Darrick Robles 3 quick facts about menstruation:
- Heavy menstrual bleeding is a common cause of iron deficiency and anemia (low blood count)
- Excessive exercise and dieting can cause irregular or absent periods (amenorrhea).
- an irregular period can indicate an underlying condition – if your cycle is very irregular, talk to a doctor
Sometimes it comes very strongly, sometimes it comes too late, sometimes it doesn’t come at all – the period sometimes seems to have a mind of its own. The menstrual cycle is not clockwork, it is subject to natural fluctuations and changes over the course of life. However, very heavy or absent bleeding can be a sign of a disease.
What are periods for anyway?
Simply put, when your period begins, your body is telling you that you could have a baby, but you didn’t get pregnant. Each month, the lining of the uterus thickens to prepare for a fertilized egg. If an embryo has not implanted there, the mucous membrane is shed with the period.
This monthly cycle is controlled by changes in the hormone levels of estrogen and progesterone. Anything that affects these hormones can therefore also affect your period. doctor dr. Rhianna McClymont explains how lifestyle and age can shape your menstrual cycle and when you should speak to a doctor.
Is it normal to miss a period?
“It’s natural for periods to fluctuate at the beginning of menstruation,” says Dr. McClymont. “Even in the pre-menopausal period, fluctuations in cycle length and blood loss can persist for many months or even years.”
Depending on age, the most obvious reasons for missed periods are pregnancy or menopause. Other causes of an irregular cycle or no periods at all (amenorrhea) can be:
- Sudden weight loss
- overweight or underweight
- Too much sports
- Stress
- some contraceptives , e.g. B. the progesterone pill or a hormone spiral
Sometimes an irregular period can indicate an underlying condition, such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) or a thyroid disorder .
Is my period too heavy?
At least 10% of all women have heavy and/or prolonged bleeding (menorrhagia). Heavy bleeding disrupts everyday life and can be very stressful, both physically and mentally. Heavy menstrual bleeding is when a woman loses at least 80 ml (about 16 teaspoons) per period. Bleeding that lasts longer than 7 days is called a prolonged period. The best way to measure the blood loss is with a menstrual cup.
Signs of menorrhagia (heavy menstrual bleeding):
- You need to change your tampons or pads every few hours.
- You must empty your menstrual cup more often than recommended to prevent leakage.
- You notice clots larger than 2.5 cm in your menstrual blood.
- You must use pads in addition to the tampon or menstrual cup.
- You lose so much blood that menstrual products are no longer sufficient.
- You have to get up at night to change your tampon or empty your menstrual cup.
Heavy menstrual bleeding is a common cause of iron deficiency. In Germany, 20% of women of childbearing age are affected by iron deficiency. The WHO (World Health Organization) estimates that 22.6% of women of childbearing age are anemic in Europe. Have your iron levels checked if you suffer from fatigue, shortness of breath and palpitations.
If you are suffering from heavy bleeding, there may be a medical reason behind it. “Disorders that affect the lining of the uterus — such as fibroids, endometriosis , or polyps — can lead to increased bleeding,” says Dr. McClymont.
Other medical causes:
- hypothyroidism
- Blood clotting disorders such as Von Willebrand syndrome
- Diabetes
- copper spiral
- anticoagulant drugs
- herbal supplements, including ginseng, ginkgo and soy
Talk to your doctor if your periods are heavy. This will help rule out underlying health issues and ensure you don’t have anemia.
Treatment for menorrhagia depends on the cause. Possible treatment options:
- Drug therapy (hormones), eg for fibroids or endometriosis
- Removal of uterine fibroids or polyps by surgery
- Endometrial ablation: Destruction and removal of the lining of the uterus that causes heavy bleeding
- Hormonal contraceptives (e.g. the pill)
- Removal of the uterus (hysterectomy)
When should I go to the doctor?
“If the menstrual cycle isn’t normal, women should see a doctor,” advises Dr. McClymont. For example, if you’ve always had light bleeding but it suddenly got heavier and you notice clots in your menstrual blood, you should have this checked out by a doctor.
Talk to a doctor if:
- you are under 45 and suddenly your periods are irregular.
- your periods are more frequent than every 21 days or less than every 35 days.
- your period lasts longer than 7 days.
- There is a difference of at least 20 days between your shortest and longest cycle.
- your periods are irregular and you are trying to get pregnant.
