It’s that time of the month again. You’ve probably proclaimed that your period is the absolute worst at one point in your life. What your period says about your health can reveal more than you know. Whilst the time of the month is often far more inconvenient than not, there is one bright side.
Your menstrual cycle can reveal more about your health than just pregnancy. Because of menstruation’s tight relationship to hormone health, your period can provide information that extends beyond the reproductive tract. The experts at Midwife 360 in South Florida have compiled some of the most important bits of information regarding ‘that time of the month’ and what it says about your health.
What A Normal Period Looks Like
A woman’s menstrual cycle occurs when her body removes its uterine lining each month. The uterine is preparing for the probable implantation of a fertilized egg in the womb, thus, resulting in pregnancy. However, because there is no fertilized egg, our bodies must shed the lining and prepare for the following month.
Periods can vary greatly from woman to woman. Where some can experience a regular cycle, others are irregular. Periods typically last three to seven days, and the usual cycle is 28 to 32 days.
Women can experience the following symptoms during their period:
- Cramps
- Breast tenderness
- Bloating
- Migraines
- Lethargy
- Mood changes
- Food cravings.
Monitoring your symptoms, as well as the length of your cycle and the textures and colors, can help indicate important changes or issues about your health.
What Your Period Color Means
Menstrual blood color can vary from black to bright red, as well as brown or orange. These changes in color are very normal and ObGyn’s are rarely concerned with the changes.
Bright red: frequently indicates that you are at the start of your period and is shedding blood quickly. Don’t be alarmed, this is usually the sign of a healthy, regular menstruation.
Pinkish: when a period is just beginning the vaginal discharge can mix with the blood creating a pink tone. This is just a diluted version which can also mean your period is lighter. In some cases, this can show signs of low estrogen.
Diluted or watery: indication of severe anemia which is caused by a nutritional deficit.
Brown, dark brown/dark red: older blood found in the uterine lining that has oxidized. This often occurs at the end of a cycle.
Large clots in a jam-colored red: when the uterus does not contract well and sheds blood quickly, blood remains in the uterus and clumps together. Thus, forming clots that can be big or small and deep in color. Have no fear, this is very normal.
The only time most ObGyn’s raise concern is when spotting occurs between cycles.
Irregular Cycle
Again, as with other period-related issues, irregular periods may be completely normal. However, there are other variables that might be causing your inconsistent flow. For starters, stress might be a major factor here.
When you’re anxious, your body creates extra cortisol, often known as the stress hormone. High levels of stress can disrupt the hormones that result in the production of an egg. This ultimately leads to your menstruation, so your period may be late or you may skip it entirely.
Another possibility is that you have polycystic ovarian syndrome. PCOS is a moderate (and treatable) hormone disease in which you develop excessive amounts of the male sex hormone androgen. Leading to increased hair growth and weight gain. Women with PCOS may not ovulate every month, therefore they may not have a period every month.
Furthermore, if you’ve had any type of medical treatment in your uterine cavity, such as abortion, scarring may make it more difficult for the blood to flow normally.
Finally, if you engage in high-intensity workouts, you can experience an extremely light or nonexistent period. This is due to the fact that your body isn’t producing enough hormones. Talk to your doctor to determine the best course of action.
Heavy Flow?
The problem with identifying your period as “heavy” or “light” differs depending on who you ask, making it difficult to measure. If your flow lasts more than seven days and you have to replace your tampon/pad every two hours, this is considered heavy bleeding.
However, it can also suggest other health issues that need to be addressed, such as
- Hypothyroidism
- Adenomyosis
- Uterine Fibroids
- Von Willebrand Disease
Another thing to bear in mind is that some drugs can influence the sort of bleeding you’re experiencing. Non-hormonal copper IUDs can also make your period heavier. Certain birth control medications such as the Depo-Provera injection can alter the way you flow as well.
If you are worried about the length and heaviness of your period, consult with your gynecologist.
Looking For A Better Way To Track Your Cycle?
Unlike other devices, Tempdrop measures your temperature rather than hormones. For example, your sleeping temperature, or baseline body temperature(BBT). So, whether you have regular cycles, irregular periods, or awaiting fertility to return, Tempdrop can help you detect temperature variations that are key to maintaining ovulation.
Tempdrop provides remarkable precision in BBT measurement. Science is leading the way for female reproductive technology. Tempdrop, on the other hand, is the most convenient and affordable choice available.
Midwife 360 has partnered with Tempdrop to provide a better look at what your period says about your health. Midwife 360, located in Palm Beach, began in 2014 and is now a staple to women’s care in South Florida. Some of the services offered at Midwife 360 include; holistic gynecology as well as midwifery services such as routine women’s care, family planning, and pregnancy care and birthing.
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