Period Issues
Regular menstrual periods in the years between puberty and menopause are usually a sign that your body is working normally. Irregular or heavy, painful periods can be very debilitating and can be a sign of a serious health issue. Please explore the information below and book a consult to discuss further.
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Periods – Guidance
Periods
Periods are a normal part of growing up for girls. The body starts to go through a number of changes including breast development, pubic hair growth and periods between the age of 8 and 15. On average, most girls start their periods around the age of 13 and stop them around the age of 51.
Heavy periods (Menorrhagia)
What is Menorrhagia?
Periods with abnormally heavy or prolonged bleeding.
- Menorrhagia means periods with abnormally heavy or prolonged bleeding that occur every month. Although heavy menstrual bleeding is a common concern, most women do not experience blood loss severe enough to be defined as menorrhagia.
- The amount of blood loss interferes with your quality of life. For example, if it stops you doing normal activities such as going out, working or shopping. It can occur alone or in combination with other symptoms.
- It is difficult to measure blood loss accurately. Some medical definitions of blood loss during a period are: A normal period is a blood loss between 30 and 40 ml (six to eight teaspoonfuls) per month. Bleeding can last up to eight days, but bleeding for five days is average. A heavy period is a blood loss of 80 ml or more. This is about half a teacupful or more.
Period Pain (Dysmenorrhoea)
Many women experience an ache in the lower abdomen, back and tops of their legs, especially in the first few days of their period. The first couple of days are usually the worst and then it lessens. Sometimes conditions such as endometriosis can make period pains become worse.
What is Dysmenorrhoea?
Most women have some pain during periods. It is often mild but, in about 10% of women, the pain is severe enough to affect normal activities, it can even stop them from going to work or school. The pain can be so severe that they are unable to go to school or work. … Read more in our blog…
Periods which stop (Amenorrhoea) or are irregular (Oligomenorrhoea).
Periods can temporarily stop and usually this isn’t a problem. If it happens, check if you are pregnant and that you are feeling generally well. If so it’s fine to wait and see what happens. If it has been going on for longer than 3 months check in with your doctor.
Everyone starts their periods at different times. If you are older than 16 and still haven’t started your periods or if you are 14 and haven’t yet got any signs of puberty (breast development, underarm or pubic hair) see you doctor to discuss it further. Periods can also be unpredictable. If you bleed between your periods or after sex, or after the menopause, you should discuss this with your doctor.
What are the causes for periods to stop or become irregular? …. Read more in our blog…
