Did you know? On an average, a woman has about 450 periods during her lifetime. You have been dealing with your periods for quite a few years. But each time it’s just equally confusing with all the cramps, mood swings, binge eating and a lot of other phenomenons that you still cannot decipher or predict. But if you notice closely, you can understand a lot more about your menstrual health from your periods. From your flow to the pain in your body parts, everything signifies something. Let’s take a closer look at these symptoms.
When Your Period Cramps Are Unbearable
Cramps are common during periods. They can occur in different body parts for a different woman. But when these cramps seem unbearable and interfere with your daily routine, you need to take it seriously. Severe cramps in the lower abdomen, lower back, pelvis, rectum, or vagina can be a sign of endometriosis and uterine fibroids. Endometriosis is a painful disorder in which the tissue that normally lines the inside of your uterus, grows outside your uterus. Endometriosis commonly involves your ovaries, fallopian tubes and the tissue lining your pelvis. Severe cramps and heavy bleeding are both the symptoms of uterine fibroids. Fibroids are noncancerous growths of the uterus that often appear during childbearing years. You may think it is normal to have severe cramps, but if you cannot go on with your day during your periods, you need to consult a gynaecologist.
When You Have Uncontrollable Bleeding
Changing fully soaked pads 4 times a day (24 hours) is normal. You may change your pads every 6 hours for hygiene reasons, but changing the fully soaked pads every couple of hours may be a symptom of Menorrhagia or uterine fibroids. Menorrhagia is the medical term for menstrual periods with abnormally heavy or prolonged bleeding. In this condition, bleeding could also occur between your regular periods.
Other symptoms include:
- Needing to change sanitary pad during the night
- Bleeding for longer than a week
- Passing blood clots larger than a quarter
- Restricting daily activities due to heavy menstrual flow
- Symptoms of anaemia, such as tiredness, fatigue or shortness of breath
If you notice these symptoms, you need to take some time out to meet the gynaecologist and start the treatment to control heavy bleeding.
When You Have Unpredictable Mood Swings
You may be very irritable, angry or over-sensitive before your period arrives. This is because you might be going through a Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS). It is a natural occurrence due to the hormonal changes that take place in your body before periods. However, when these symptoms affect you for 2 weeks or more it may signify a more serious illness- PMDD (Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder). PMDD can easily be confused with PMS as most times even you notice your friends also going through an emotional roller coaster before their periods. So, how do you differentiate between the two? Here are the symptoms of PMDD:
- Deep sadness or despair, with possible suicidal thoughts
- Lasting irritability and anger, which may include frequent outbursts at loved ones
- Feelings of tension or anxiety
- Panic attacks
- Mood swings
- Crying
- Disinterest in daily activities and relationships
- Trouble thinking or focusing
- Feeling out of control or overwhelmed
- Fatigue
- Low energy
- Food cravings or binge eating
These symptoms may end when your periods start. However, it is essential you visit a doctor to address this issue and stay healthy physically and mentally.
Take the period health quiz now to check how healthy your periods are!
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You can also consult your friendly gynaec here and clear out your doubts:
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