Have you ever wondered if you have a “normal” period?
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While normal for one person might look different for another, here are 7 period symptoms that are 🚨NOT🚨 normal.
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1. Extremely Heavy Bleeding
—If you're soaking through your pads or tampons in under two hours (or filling your cup in 4 hours), you should talk to a medical professional.
2. Intense Cramping
—If you regularly experience cramps so bad that you have to miss work or school, or cramps that don't seem to be relieved by over-the-counter painkillers, you may be dealing with something more serious.
3. Spotting
—Spotting can be a sign of a host of reproductive health problems, including uterine or cervical polyps (which are benign but may cause bleeding after sex, as well). 4. Large Blood Clots
—Blood clots bigger than a quarter can be a sign of uterine fibroids, as well as hereditary disorders like von Willebrand disease.
5. Severe Lower Back Pain
—If you deal with incapacitating back pain during your period, as well as abdominal or pelvic pain, it can be a sign of endometriosis.
6. Painful Bowel Movements
—This is a rare one, but still serious. If you're experiencing bowel movement pain during your period, it can be a sign of endometriosis.
7. Any Major Changes in Your Symptoms
—The biggest symptom that something is up with your reproductive health (or your health in general) can be a major change of any sort to your period symptoms.