Due to the varying levels of normalcy found within the female population, it can be difficult to determine whether your menstrual cycles are unhealthy. Below are three common signs of unhealthy menstrual cycles and clear guidelines to help you determine whether your cycles are within the realm of normal or something to be checked out by your gynecologist.
1. Your Flow is Abnormally Heavy
What does a heavy flow look like and how can you possibly know if your flow is within normal limits or not? Luckily, there are a few easy to measure guidelines to follow.
While every woman is different and there's a wide range of what's considered a normal flow during menstruation, a heavy flow is classified by this one simple guideline – if your pad or tampon requires changing every hour for a few consecutive hours, it's time to see your gynecologist. A heavy period can indicate a number of issues, from hormonal imbalances to fibroids to a blood clotting disorder.
2. Your Flow is Irregular
While there are a number of reasons for a late or missing period every once and a while, continued irregular menstruation can be a sign of a number of health issues.
The length between menstruation cycles can vary among women – anywhere from 21 days to 35 days in healthy women. If you're experiencing longer gaps, however, or the length of your cycles vary widely, seeing your gynecologist and getting to the root of the problem is important. Changes in weight, stress, and hormonal imbalance are common reasons for irregular menstrual cycles, but a full work up by your gynecologist can help to best pinpoint the cause and get you on the track towards regularity.
3. Your Flow is Abnormally Painful
If your periods are causing enough pain and discomfort to interfere with your life, it's time to make an appointment with your gynecologist.
Painful periods, also known as dysmenorrhea, is a fairly common disorder among menstruating girls and women. For some ladies, however, menstruation pain becomes severe enough to cause absence at school or work and interfere with basic, daily activities. While excess hormones can cause this disorder, other common causes include endometriosis, adenomyosis, and fibroids.
If you feel that your menstruation cycles are unhealthy or are concerned about certain symptoms you're experiencing, make an appointment with your gynecologist as soon as possible. Regular monitoring of your cycles can clue you in to a number of health issues, all of which can be treated with the help of your doctor.
To learn more, contact a gynecologist like Mark E Richey MD PC.
Share21 January 2016
After watching my mother navigate treatment for breast cancer in my early teens, I knew pretty much what to expect from my dad's diagnosis with prostate cancer. What I didn't know was how different chemotherapy and radiation can affect different people. My mother became very ill while my dad seemed to weather the treatments with few ill effects. I spent a long time researching the differences in treatments, types of chemotherapy, and how each one can react differently with the body. I created this blog to help others understand the same things, because I knew I couldn't be the only one unfamiliar with it. I hope it helps you if someone you love is facing treatment for any type of cancer.
