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5 period symptoms that might signal a serious health problem

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Don't ignore these period irregularities.
Don't ignore these period irregularities.

Like it or not, your period is a part of your life. And you’re probably well aware of what is and isn’t normal for your flow. While most women have some variation with their periods, if something is off down there, you know it.

That said, it can be hard to know whether things are just weird one month or if you’re experiencing something that should be flagged for your doctor.

Just know this: Your period can tell you more than you realise.

“Periods are a pretty good indicator of gynaecological health,” says Dr Christine Greves, a gynae at the Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women and Babies.

Basically, if something is wrong down there, it’s likely that your period will be affected.

Again, sometimes periods just get out of whack and it’s no biggie. But it’s a good idea to let your doctor know if you experience any of these symptoms:

1. You’re regularly passing big blood clots 

Having the odd clot during your period is normal, but if you’re consistently having blood clots that are large (think: golf ball-sized), it could be a sign of uterine fibroids, non-cancerous growths that can develop in your uterus, says Dr Jessica Shepherd, an assistant professor of clinical obstetrics and gynaecology and director of minimally invasive gynaecology at the University of Illinois College of Medicine.

Read more: This explains why you get clots in your period blood

2. You repeatedly soak a tampon or pad in less than an hour

This is more than annoying: Bleeding this heavily could be an indication that you have polyps in your uterus or uterine fibroids, says Dr Shepherd.

If you experience shortness of breath and dizziness with heavy bleeding, you need to see a doctor ASAP, Dr Greves says.

This could be a sign that you’re anaemic and may have a hormonal imbalance that needs to be corrected in order to stop or slow the bleeding.

Read more: 6 things your period could be telling you about your health

3. Your period lasts longer than seven days 

There are plenty of things that can make this happen, including stress,Dr  Shepherd says, and some women just have long periods. But if it’s not normal for you, a longer-than-normal period can also be due to polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and uterine polyps.

“In a worst-case scenario, it could be uterine cancer,” she adds.

Basically, you don’t want to ignore this.

Read more: 7 reasons your period might be late – other than pregnancy

4. Your cycle is less than 20 days 

Again, everyone’s cycle is different but if you’re suddenly having short cycles, it could be a sign of ovulatory dysfunction or a thyroid disorder, Dr Greves says.

It could also indicate PCOS and uterine polyps, which can cause “weird, irregular bleeding”, Shepherd says.

Read more: Your vagina might be itchier on your period – here’s why

5. You missed a period but aren’t pregnant or breastfeeding 

If you’ve been under a lot of stress or are doing a lot of high-intensity exercise, that can cause you to miss a period, Dr Shepherd says.

But thyroid issues can also make your period stop. If you miss a period and don’t have pain, you’re probably OK to wait it out. But if you keep missing periods, Dr Greves says you need to call your doctor.

It could be a sign of a hormonal imbalance that needs to be fixed.


This article was originally featured on www.womenshealthsa.co.za


Image credit: iStock

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