IS MY BLEEDING NORMAL?

Let’s Talk Period was created to raise awareness around bleeding disorders. Many individuals suffer from a bleeding disorder but do not realize that their bleeding is abnormal and do not know to seek help. Here are a few common questions and general answers that we hear all the time

How do I know if my period is heavy?

There are many indicators of HMB (heavy menstrual bleeding). Here are a few to watch out for:

•      your period lasts longer than 7 days,
•      you have to change your sanitary protection more than every hour,
•      you are iron deficient and anemic,
•      you frequently pass large blood clots.

If you have any of these symptoms, please talk to your doctor to investigate if you have a bleeding disorder, or take a Self-BAT test which will help you determine if your bleeding is normal or abnormal.

How long should my period be?

A period that lasts up to 7 days is normal and 3–5 day periods are average. If your periods last longer than 7 days, talk to your doctor or take a Self-BAT test to determine if you should seek medical advice.  

My periods are really painful. Is that normal?

Period pain, known as dysmenorrhea, is normal for many women but can have abnormal causes. There are a few common causes for painful cramps during your period. Teenagers often get cramps from a chemical called prostaglandin which occurs naturally in the body during their cycles. These cramps can be severe. Older women who experience cramps may have a condition such as uterine fibroids or endometriosis. If you have bad menstrual cramps, talk to your doctor for a diagnosis and appropriate treatment.

I bleed after intercourse. Is that normal?

Bleeding after intercourse is abnormal and can stem from a number of issues – some benign, some serious. It’s important to talk to your doctor to determine the cause of your post-coital bleeding. Here are a few potential causes:

•   an infection, for example pelvic inflammatory disease (PID),
•   a sexually transmitted infection (STI), for example chlamydia,
•   vaginal dryness,
•   cervical or endometrial polyps,
•   cervical ectropion, where there is an inflamed area on the surface of the cervix,

• an underlying bleeding disorder,

•   cervical or vaginal cancer.

If you frequently experience post coital bleeding, talk to your doctor.

If you still have questions about your period or your bleeding, please contact your doctor, or take a Self-BAT test which will help you determine if your bleeding is normal or abnormal.

To learn more about effective treatments or to continue the conversation, please get in touch with us by writing to us at the bottom of our website homepage. Join our communities on Facebook and Instagram to get regular information about bleeding disorders and help other women be empowered by this knowledge.