Facts about abnormal periods

There have been a lot of topics on abnormal period so here is a guide that can hopefully answer some of your questions. Source information comes from
http://womenshealth.about.com/cs/menstruat...truabnormal.htm

You may be experiencing an abnormal period, abnormal uterine bleeding, an abnormal menstrual cycle if...

your menstrual cycle is longer than 31 to 35 days apart, or less than two weeks from day one of your period to day one of your next period.

you are soaking through more than one tampon or sanitary pad in 1 or 2 hours, or if your period lasts longer than 7 days, you may be experiencing excessive uterine bleeding or heavy menstruation.

you experience extremely severe cramps with menstruation. Some cramping is normal during your period, although not all women experience menstrual cramps, if your menstrual cramps seem more severe than normal you should see your health care provider to rule out and/ or diagnose the cause.

you may see clots of tissue in your menstruation, don't worry, this is no cause for alarm! Remember, your period consists of the lining of the uterus which is shed during menstruation, clots are very often a part of this shedding and rarely cause for alarm.

you are a young girl who has recently experienced the onset of menstruation, don't worry if you skip periods or have irregular periods for the first few years. This is very normal.

you are a young girl who extremely active in sports activities you may experience absence of menstruation for long periods of time. The cause of this is not clearly known.

you are a woman who is postmenopausal or a girl who is younger than eleven should see a doctor immediately if they experience uterine bleeding.

you are a young woman who is over 16 and have not started your period. See your health care provider and be sure to ask about the possibility of polycystic ovarian syndrome or PCOS, particularly if you are experiencing other symptoms of PCOS.

Remember, normal menstrual bleeding lasts about 5 days, and although it may seem like you are losing a lot more blood, the amount of blood lost during your period is only about 2 to 8 tablespoons. Menstruation occurs on average every twenty-eight days; but, anywhere from twenty-five to thirty-one days between periods is considered a normal menstrual cycle. If you think you are experiencing abnormal bleeding or abnormal periods, contact your health care provider for advice about what steps you should take next.

Additional Resource
http://womenshealth.about.com/gi/dynamic/o...Firregular.html

I felt that this topic would be better-suited for the Girls' Locker, considering guys don't have periods.

Thank you for posting this. I you.

^^
Thank you Felicia

This is a chance for you girls to get tips and information about your period. For those who have trouble keeping up with their period or those who just have questions!

Science

Irregular Periods

Irregular periods are most common in adolescents, when your period begins. Something similar happens when women reach menopause in mid-to-late forties. It's perfectly normal.

'Don't worry, though, if your cycle does not always last exactly 28 days. Just as most women's bodies aren't proportioned to fit exactly into one dress size, very few women have menstrual cycles that last precisely 28 days.'

-- Dr. Michelle P. Warren

Why do irregular periods occur?

Most commonly, it's because women have not ovulated suring a cycle, so it is delayed.

Why do I have periods?

The ovary inside your body releases an egg because it is not fertilized. This occurs during your menstrual cycle. Ovulation may be delayed or may not come at all, but that's how your body works and it's perfectly normal to sometimes have irregular periods. The blood released is from endometrium, or the lining of the uterus. It builds up and the signal for it to shed off is your regular ovulation cycle and the egg is not fertilized. Heavy bleeding occurs when your period comes late, causing the lining to grow more than it should.

When I have my period, why does the endometrium stop growing?

There's a hormone called progesterone that acts to stop the growth of endometrium. The ovary makes progesterone for 14 days after the endometrium is shed in your period.

Here's a diagram of what a uterus looks like (thumbed):



Living With Your Period

How to help minimize the pain

1. Use a hot water bottle or heating pad to help relax muscles
2. Avoid wearing tampons when your cramps are very severe
3. Exercise 30 minutes a day-

Strech out your muscles and loosen your cramps doing:
- Yoga
- Gymnastics
- Dancing
- Swimming

Get rid of frustrations and/or irritibility with:
- Kick-boxing
- Martial Arts
- Jogging
- Power walking
- Rollerblading

4. Don't lie down and feel sorry for yourself! Do something active to get your mind off cramps!

5. If you have a sore back, avoid standing for too long. Some women find that being in the fetal position helps loosen muscles.

Also, try lying on your back with your feet about 8 inches from your butt. Lift your butt off the ground so it makes a straight line beteen your shoulder and your knees.

Here are some yoga techniques (thumbed):



See a doctor if

1. Severe pelvic pain suddenly appears whether or not you're on your period.
2. Menstrual bleeding increases drastically from normal level.
3. Your periods occur less than every 21 days.
4. You're cramping more than usual or cramping when you regularly don't.
5. Cramps persist after trying medication, exercise and other pain prevention methods.
6. Your period causes sudden high fever, diarrhea, or skin rash.
7. You think you might be pregnant.

Minimizing PMS

1. Less Salt - Salt causes bloating. Snack on carrots, raisins or Cheerios instead.
2. Less Sugar - Sugar intensifies mood swings! Eat cheese or yogurt instead.
3. More wholegrains - Your body needs more nutrients in whole-wheat products.
4. More fruits and veggies - When you're on your period, you're losing nutrients in your blood. Replace them fast with healthy foods! They also relieve cramping and bad moods.

*Did you know?* Fresh pineapple juice contains bromelain, an enzyme that is thought to help relax muscles? It can relieve menstrual cramps too!



How do I know when my period is coming?

- Breasts feel tender
- Feeling tense
- Swelling of abdomen or other parts of body
- Getting zits or pimples
- Pain in parts of body; particularly your back, legs or abdomen.

*Tip* Mark when you start and end your period on a calendar so you can expect when your next period will be. Be prepared and wear a pantiliner the day before you start your period (and obviously on the day of your period). However, periods are often unpredictable. Just try your best to keep track of your periods.

Menstrual Cramp and Pain Relief medicines

- Midol
- PMS Ease
- PMS Essentials - Hormone Balancing Formula
- Nature Sunshine's Products - Cramp Relief
- Birth Control Pill

References
- Exam 5 Review: Chapter 27 Uterine Anatomy
- Tampax Irregular Period Article
- Teenwire
- Midol

Yeah, I was very annoyed because I usually get my period around every 27 days and I got it on 31 days which is so annoying. For me, my period is delayed due to stress, which is not a good thing...

Mines just, all over the place.

i have a question....can a period can mess up you body and maybe gain weight?

^yeah b/c that's what i heard

Lmao, my bad. -edits-

Yes, sometimes I wouldn't have my period for two whole months, and I got pretty scared.
But then it came, though I hate periods, but at least everything was alright.
>3<

Topics Merged and title editted.

Since I made a topic about periods a while ago I decided merge mine and Katts topics together and edit the title.

imma 17 and i get mine every 2 months :D

2 to 8 tablespoon of blood..yea right -.-

I think it's so weird how athletic girls skip their period. My friend who is a cross country and track runner get's her period about every other month!
You would think that would encourage us women to run more....

;D;D

Thank you for posting this!

Thank you so much!

ive tried everything for 3 years to regulate my period. PFT.
doctor here i come.

Two to eight tablespoons? Really?
I never knew that, but thinking of it like that..ehck.

Pineapples? Wow i love pineapples. thanks for posting all of this =]

ya so im really confussed...all my friends talk about their periods n stuff...and ive never had mine...but the last week of the month i have HORRIBLE cramps...i dont know wat 2 do?!

If you don't get it by 16, go see a doctor. (I believe that's what the age was. I haven't done research, I'm just saying what I remember from health. )

Umm. You're probably getting yours soon, I guess. Try using a heating pad.

should this be in health?

go see a doctor bout it
but i'm pretty sure it's coming

oh man. when u get ur period it means ur healthy. how much do u weigh?

---> Health

I'm also going to merge your question with" Facts about your periods thread", which is incredibly helpful.

My pediatrician said you usually get your period when you hit about 100 pounds.

my periods weird.. i have it for 3 days.. then it tottally stops for 1 day.. then i have it for 1 more day... then its over
i dont understand it
but i am very very very active
so it might have something to do with that

periods suck. i think i missed mine. but, i think it's because of stress. stress can do that, they can make you loose your period, and then it makes you all freaked out and everything. periods are a drag

thanks for the info (replying with my brother looking away)

thats very good facts

Yeah. I've played on my school soccer teams since 7th grade. I managed to not get my period til the end of my freshman year of high school. But I absolutlely LOVE soccer season, because sometimes I manage to go through the whole season without a period ... no joke! Too bad I don't have time to play on the college soccer team because of my crap schedule of tons of classes and then work every night. Oh well .. I'm gonna have to start working out on my own or just find another team to play on, I guess.

so is mine!! but all this was very informational. thank you!

I'm bleeding.. purple. Is that normal?

Oh my God this topic made me think of when I first had mine, LOL.
I thought I was gonna die. But thanks for posting, its interesting.

This one girl in my gym class was seriously contemplating a sex change due to the amount of cramps she was getting from her period today. I was amused.

I only get mine for three days at the longest so it's alright i suppose

Ok.. So I'm new to the whole period thing
I got my first period last month..
EXACTLY the morning of sept 29th, around 8:10
I got it again YESTERDAY.. it hasn't been long this the last one :/
The last one was SUPER light and light light brown, it lasted three days.
This one is SUPER heavy.. I've ruined 4 pairs of underwear since yesterday, Its gushing all over.. Dark red, soaking up the pads quickly..

Is this possible?
To get your period earlier than normal?
Bear in mind its only my second one
But its nasty.. and I'm confused!

my doctor specializes in children and adolescents.. she told me that for the first two years, it's okay to have an abnormal period. my two years is coming up in december.

Thanks for posting all of this information. I can really get used to having my period now! I have only had it for about 6 months now, so I am still getting used to it, but at the same time, I know when it starts and when it ends, so I have pads with me everday! lol!

Oh dear god. I sure hope you're joking.

OH MY GOOOSSHH IM BLEEDING BLLLLLLEEEEEEEEEEEEDDDDDINNNNNGGG!!!! THE PAIN THE PAIN!!!!!!!! IM GOING TO DIE!!!!!!!

If you are just getting yours...its most likely not on scheduale. I've had mine for almost 3 years, and I didn't know my scheduale (which is every 25 days instead of the usual 28) till this year. So dont worry if you have just gottne your period.

lol @ .fire

mine comes either in the beginning of the month or the end. =/

got this from cosmogirl and i thought it was helpful.

QUOTE

your menstrual cycle's horomone fluctuations can make you creative and energetic some days, intutive and nuturing on others. here gabrielle gichterman, author of 28 days, explains how what she calls hormonolgy helps you make the most of your hormonal up and downs. (btw, week one begins on the first day of your period.)

week 1: you're slow-moving and you have trouble making decisions.
why: your period is here and estrogen and testosterone are low and sapping your energy.
maximize your mood: because you're not at your sharpest this week, put off making any drastic decisions, like trying a new short haircut or swithcing your college major, until next week. re-energize yourself by taking frequent naps so that you can be the best you can.

week 2: you're at your peak - your memory is at its sharpest. and you're confident, with lots of energy.
why: estrogen and testosterone are at their highest levels, so you're energentic and thinking faster!
maximize your mood: schedule tests if you can (like the SAT or your driving test), and try a new sport (roller derby, anyone?). skip slow activites (long plays, piano concerts: you'll get bored.

week 3: you're feeling mellow and especially self-protective.
why: after ovulation comes a surge in progesterone, which makes you a bit cautious.
maximize your mood: go with the slow - make time for yourself (try meditating). have a heart-to-heart with someone who needs your advice or someone you've been having problems with. and avoid taking risks-try bungee jumping some other time!

week 4: you're intuitive, creative, and introspective about your feelings.
why: a drop in testosterone has you thinking with your right brain (the visual, artistic side). estrogen and progesterone are also at their lowest points, making your suspectible to mood swings.
maximizing your mood: take PMS with artsy projects like DIY'ing a necklage or writing a song. east your moods by indulging in guilty pleasures.

A lot of your menstrual blood is mixed with fluids and such. You know, those to support the possible baby?

i dont really know why, but i get a major chocolate crave when ever my period comes.

As Diana (a painefull euphoria) informed me, many girls get a chocolate crave because of the loss of iron from blood loss.

I'm not 100% sure, so looking it up in a trustworthy source wouldn't hurt, but hopefully that clears things up a bit.

^ I had to pop in here when I saw a response by AC.

I crave anything salty when I'm in full moon mode.

You know, actually I was thinking about it. I always refer to that time of month as full moon mode and I came upon this article on WebMD today:
Here's the part that I thought was cool

From Menstrual Health article at WebMD

^ Well, just trying to broaden my horizons.

wow, i didnt even know that, im glad i do now. i always thought that my iron might have been low.