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Menstrual cycle: What’s normal and what’s not?

Health
 Track your period to find out what's normal for you

According to WebMD, your menstrual period will be as varied as your life is from the time you start your period to the time you hit menopause. This means that what is considered a normal period will change from one woman to the other.

Tracking your period, the longevity, flow, premenstrual symptoms, will help you determine what is normal for you and what is not.

The factors below will help you determine what to consider normal and what to worry about when it comes to your period.

Cycle

A normal cycle lasts anywhere from 21 to 35 days. This varies from woman to woman. It is also dependent on a number of factors which can influence the longevity of your period.

When you first have your period, your cycle will be irregular and your period could last a longer time. As you get older, your cycle regulates and then becomes irregular again as you near menopause.

Birth control, that is pills or an Intra-Uterine Device (IUD), can also affect the length of your cycle. Be sure to speak to your OB/GYN about what to expect.

 If you feel sick or feverish after using a tampon, consult your doctor

Flow

The amount of blood flow you have during your period also varies depending on different factors. It tends to be light in the first few months of your period. As you get older, some women experience very heavy flow. Consult your OB/GYN about your flow as a heavy flow might be normal for you or it might be abnormal especially if you need to change your pad or tampon more frequently than every two hours.

On average your period should last between two to eight days. Irregular periods can be caused by hormonal changes, weight loss, stress, illness, use of birth control.

A missed period might be normal, a sign of pregnancy or some other underlying problem. Consult your doctor.

 Consult a doctor if you have unusually severe cramps

Other factors

Consult your doctor if:

1. You have severe cramps before and during your period.

2. You are unable to go about your day to day life because of your period or PMS.

3. On using a tampon, you feel feverish and sick.

4. You miss your period for more than 90 days.

5. Bleeding lasts for more than eight days.

6. At 16 years, your period hasn’t started yet.

7. You bleed in between your period.

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