Ep.5/Periods 101 - Understanding the Wildes of Menstruation
What is normal? Flow, Timing, Color, PMS, we'll talk about it all.
These are things I regularly hear from clients and members of my community:
"My period lasts 10 full days.......
"I get my period every three weeks......
"I have terrible cramps during my period.....
"I overfill my super plus tampon after three hours....
"I feel like a crazy person on an emotional roller-coaster during my period.....
Always followed up with the question "Is That Normal?"
After I quit hormonal birth control, I had no idea what to expect and TBH, it had been so long (decades) since I'd had a period.....I was a little scared of the unknown. So I did what I do best....read books, listed to podcasts and basically consumed all the info I could on the fascinating subject of periods including the difference between what is common and what is "normal"....which is NOT the same thing BTW.
Today I'm sharing my knowledge with you.
It is important to note that every woman's body is different, and what is considered "normal" can vary from person to person. If you have concerns about your menstrual cycle or are experiencing unusual symptoms, it is always best to consult with your healthcare professional.
I believe that a woman's menstrual cycle can tell us a lot about her overall health, its actually our Fifth Vital Sign and a great indicator of underlying issues. Also let's face it, periods are weird and wonderful all at the same time.
I'll start with the basics and highlight some indicators that you should partner up with your medical provider along the way.
How Long Should My Cycle Be?
A normal menstrual cycle, I'm talking entire cycle, not just your period (from the first day of your period to the first day of your next period) should last anywhere from 21 to 35 days, with the average cycle length being around 28 days. That's right my friend, you have a 2-week window of normal! It's like a game of menstrual roulette, your normal cycle may last three weeks or nearly five....but will typically last around the same number of days each cycle. If it fluctuates more than a few days more or less, you should check in with your medical provider.
What About My Actual Period?
Length and Timing
One key factor in a healthy menstrual cycle is the regularity of your period. Ideally, you should be getting your period at the same time each cycle, with a variation of only a day or two. If your period is consistently irregular, it could be a sign of hormonal imbalances or other underlying health issues.
Your period should last between 2 to 7 days, with the first or second day being the heaviest. Your flow should also be consistent throughout your period - if it suddenly becomes significantly heavier or lighter, this could also be a cause for concern.
Volume
We typically lose 2-3 Tablespoons of blood each menstrual cycle, which doesn't seem like that much over the course of several days.....but its definitely enough to bleed through a pair of jeans and stain your aunt's favorite velvet chair.
Volume does matter. If you're bleeding like a stuck pig for longer than a week, it's time to check in with your doctor. And if you're only spotting for a day, well, some might consider that lucky, but that would be evidence of an abnormal cycle and something to discuss with your medical provider as well.
Color
Now, let's get into the nitty-gritty. It's important to note that the color of your menstrual blood can also be an indicator of your overall health. Your period should be a lovely bright vibrant shade of red, not too light and not too dark. If your flow is the color of a brown paper bag, it might be time to give your diet a makeover. And if your flow is the color of orange or grey, or is red but looks thin and watery, this is a sign you may want to chat with your doctor.
What's the Low-Down on Ovulation?
The menstrual cycle isn't only about blood......another important (and often overlooked) aspect of a healthy menstrual cycle is ovulation. The best indicator of ovulation is your Cervical Mucus. Yes, ladies, that means you need to be paying attention to the change in vaginal fluids throughout your cycle. Don't let this health status indicator go un-used.
After your period you'll likely experience some dry days then as your body moves toward ovulation you'll notice a more abundant watery, sticky, pasty or creamy mucus. During ovulation, your Cervical Mucus should be clear and stretchy, like raw egg whites. If you're not sure what that means, just think of the texture of Elmer's glue. After ovulation you'll likely notice thicker mucus but less of it, then several dry days before you begin to bleed again.
You can also verify ovulation by taking your Basil Body Temperature each day. After ovulation, your temperature will spike a bit then drop back down just before your next period.
If do not experience ovulation, its time to chat with your medical provider. Note that most forms of hormonal birth control prevent ovulation all together. If you are not ovulating due to your chosen birth control, monitoring cervical fluid as a sign of health will not apply.
What About PMS?
Last but not least, let's talk about PMS.
Ah, premenstrual syndrome, the monthly gift that keeps on giving. You might experience bloating, mood swings, and cravings for chocolate. And if you're lucky, you might even get some acne or back pain. But hey, at least you have an excuse to binge-watch Netflix and eat an entire pint of ice cream.
Just kidding - sort of.
While PMS is common, it's important to note that it's not normal to experience severe or debilitating symptoms. If your PMS symptoms are interfering with your daily life, there are natural remedies and lifestyle changes that can help, such as exercise, meditation, and dietary changes.
Normal PMS symptoms might include:
Mild breast tenderness
Mild cramping
Slight decrease in energy and desire to converse with other humans
Changes in appetite or food cravings
These are all signs that your body is on the normal hormonal rhythm train.
Common (but not Normal) PMS symptoms might include:
intense cramping...the kind that keeps you in bed with a heating pad
Severe depression, anxiety, or mood swings....that you typically can not control and don't understand
Severe fatigue or loss of energy...the kind that has you calling in sick to work because you can not on God's green earth find the strength to peel the covers back, let alone put real clothes on.
Excessive bleeding...soaking through a pad or tampon in under two hours, several times per day.
As I said, while these may be common, they are not normal. In fact, these are indicators of a larger issue going on inside your beautiful body. There are natural energy fluctuations throughout the cycle and I whole heartedly believe we should honor those. But if you are not able to function during certain days of your cycle, I encourage you to consult with your doctor for a deeper dive into what might be going on behind the scenes.
OK, Sum It Up
So there you have it, friend. A "normal" menstrual cycle should be a regular, moderate flow of red blood for 2 to 7 days, occurring every 21 to 35 days. And if you're experiencing any irregularities, it's time to consult with your doctor.
I believe that listening to your body and being in tune with your menstrual cycle is crucial for overall health and wellness. Actually, I created a course called Ignite Your Life that is all about the hormonal rhythm of your menstrual cycle, what is happening in your body, and how to support it through each season of the cycle. If your into it, grab a warm beverage and crack open the course to learn more about how you can tap into the beauty and power of your cycle.
Now if you'll excuse me, I need to go stock up on organic cotton tampons and finish up my research on period panties.