PERIODS - What’s Normal? What’s Not?

The menstrual phase of your cycle can tell you a lot about your overall health.  A period should be symptom free, you shouldn’t feel pain and you should be able to carry on with your everyday life without any interference. I bet you've heard or been told, 'oh yeah - PMS is normal'... it's not! PMS is common but it is NOT normal. Let's explore what you should expect with a 'normal' period:

1.Cycle length

When your period begins, it can take up to 3 years for it to 'regulate' or become regular.  Once they do, a regular cycle is between 28-35 days and a bleed can last 5-7 days. If your cycle is shorter than 28 days or beyond 35 days you may need some added support. Also, if you continue to bleed beyond 7 days, this may be considered abnormal and may warrant an investigation also.

2.Colour

A healthy period should be a bright red colour.  This may differ from the start to the end of each bleed.  You may notice a brown discharge before your period really flows and maybe a little at the end of a cycle also - this is just old blood that has become oxygenated.

3.Flow

Your period may start off light and it is 'normal' to expect heavier bleeding on days 2-3 and an easing off into day 4-5.  Most periods are bright red to maroon for the first 2 days. If you need to change your sanitary products every 1-2 hours - this is considered a heavy flow and is not normal.

4.Mood

As your hormones shift throughout each cycle, you may start to notice shifts to your mood and emotions.  During a bleed you may feel low or ‘empty’, and maybe even irritable. It's always a great idea to keep track of your cycle and symptoms like 'low mood', so that you can plan and find ways to support your body AND mind during your period e.g. if you find your energy dips coming up to the menstrual phase of your cycle, it might be an idea to incorporate some rest or a quick nap to recharge. If you find your mind is busy and overwhelmed, finding some stillness through meditation, getting out for a walk or talking to someone you trust and sharing what's coming up would be a great idea.

5.Blood loss

On average you will lose 2-4 tablespoons of blood during your period. This will equate to changing your pad/tampon every 4+ hours, which means you may use 4+ products in the first 2-3 days of your bleed. If you're changing your products every 1-2 hours, this is a heavy flow and may warrant an investigation. Remember - flow will differ for everyone.

What you shouldn’t expect:

PMS is common but is NOT normal.  Symptoms associated with PMS can include: painful periods, heavy periods, constipation, diarrhoea, breast tenderness or swelling, fatigue, low mood, anxiety, unexplained tears, cravings, fluid retention.  Addressing diet and lifestyle can have a profound affect on reducing PMS symptoms.

Curious about what your period reveals about your health?

Download our Free Period Type Checklist and Naturopathic Guide to discover your unique 'Period Type' - plus practical tips to support it naturally.

Discover your Period type here