Women's Health: Here's what your period might be telling you about your health and when to consult a doctor.
Women's Health: What Does Your Period Reveal About Your Overall Health?
Your menstrual cycle is more than just a monthly occurrence, it's a window into your overall health. The regularity, flow, colour, and associated symptoms of your period can provide valuable insights into your hormonal balance, reproductive health, and even underlying medical conditions. While periods vary from women to women, significant changes or irregularities can be indicators of health issues that may require attention. Here's what your period might be telling you about your health and when to consult a doctor.
What does a healthy period look like?
A typical menstrual cycle ranges between 21 to 35 days, with bleeding lasting anywhere from 2 to 7 days. The flow should be moderate, starting with a brighter red colour and gradually becoming darker. Mild symptoms such as cramping, bloating, and mood swings are normal. However, extreme discomfort, irregularities, or unusual changes could signify underlying health issues in women.
What your menstruation says about your health
1. Irregular periods and hormonal imbalance
If your periods are irregular, it could be a sign of hormonal imbalances caused by conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) or thyroid disorders. Stress, weight changes, and excessive exercise can also disrupt your hormonal balance, leading to irregular menstrual cycles.
2. Heavy bleeding in periods and fibroids
Heavy or prolonged bleeding, known as menorrhagia, may indicate uterine fibroids or polyps. In some cases, it could also be a sign of endometriosis or adenomyosis. If you frequently soak through pads or tampons in an hour, seek medical advice.
3. Missed periods and pregnancy or health issues
Missing a period is often associated with pregnancy, but it could also point to health issues in women like PCOS, stress, or thyroid issues. Long-term absence of periods, known as amenorrhea, requires medical attention to rule out serious concerns.
4. Painful periods and endometriosis
While some cramping is normal, severe pain during periods could be a sign of endometriosis. This condition occurs when tissue similar to the uterine lining grows outside the uterus, causing inflammation and pain.
5. Clots and blood consistency
Passing small clots is common, but larger clots or jelly-like consistency might indicate hormonal imbalances or uterine fibroids.
6. Unusual colour changes
Bright red blood typically signifies a healthy period, but dark brown or light pink spotting might indicate hormonal imbalances, vaginal infections, or cervical issues.
7. Premenstrual symptoms and mental health
Severe mood swings, anxiety, or depression during your period could be linked to premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), a more severe form of premenstrual syndrome (PMS). PMDD often requires medical intervention.
8. Early or late onset of periods
Periods starting too early (before age 10) or too late (after age 16) could be signs of hormonal imbalances or underlying health issues like delayed puberty.
When to consult a doctor
1. You should consult a doctor under the following circumstances of your menstrual cycle.
2. Your menstrual cycles become shorter than 21 days or longer than 35 days.
3. Vaginal bleeding is excessively heavy or lasts more than a week.
4. You experience debilitating pain during menstruation that disrupts daily life.
5. Periods suddenly stop without explanation.
6. There are changes in the colour, flow, or texture of your period.
Paying attention to changes in your cycle and consulting a healthcare professional when necessary can help you address health issues in women earlier and maintain an optimal well-being. Remember, understanding your menstrual cycle is a step toward empowering your health and ensuring a balanced, healthy lifestyle.
Disclaimer: This content including advice provides generic information only. It is in no way a substitute for a qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist or your own doctor for more information. NDTV does not claim responsibility for this information.
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