What’s a normal period?

When I was growing up my ‘period talk’ was so obscure and involved so many metaphors that I had absolutely no idea what they were talking about; they could have been telling us how to clean your carburetor or how electricity works for all I got out of it. 

I remember on the way home from the periods/birds and bees talk, my mum asked me if I had any questions and I remember thinking “About what? I don’t even know what just happened, what was that?” 

I think my understanding grew by default not design, with snippets of whispered information here and there.  It was definitely not something spoken about in the open or seemingly even something you would legitimately want sensible, accurate information on.  It was all code words and secret signs, like we were involved in some sort of menstrual espionage

If you aren’t sure, you’re not alone

Not everyone gets good information and knows what ‘normal periods’ are like.  Sometimes girls just aren’t told and other times, like me they get some riddle you have to work out on your own, and others are told wrong information, like bad pain is normal and to just go on with it.

Signs your periods are healthy

The first thing to say is that there are differences between girls/women and that no two girls/women will be the same and that is ok.   Working out if everything is ‘normal’ can be done by looking at cycle patterns, blood flow and any symptoms.

Your periods are regular

It can take 1 to 2 years for teens to get into a regular cycle, but once established it should be pretty consistent.  Sometimes illness, a stressful event or travel can make a period late or early, but otherwise it should be predictable.  A healthy cycle is every 21-35 days.  Most women will not vary that much, but one woman might be every 25 days (give or take a couple of days) and another might be every 30 days (give or take a couple of days).  Cycles of less than 21 days or longer than 35 days may indicate a hormone issue, unless if you have a copper IUD which may make your period a day or so longer. As you head into perimenopause the rules go out the window somewhat, but typically women will have more frequent, shorter and heavier periods for a while, then may miss periods and be erratic before stopping altogether.

There is no other bleeding

There shouldn’t be any bleeding in-between periods or bleeding after sex.  The possible causes of this are many, from minor to significant, so if this is happening keep a record of when it happens and check with your doctor.

Your periods are consistent in length

The average period is 5 days, but a healthy period can be anywhere from 3 to 7 days in length.   Just as with cycle length, the healthy periods are pretty consistent in length, so not 2 days one month and 7 days the next.

Manageable flow

Estimating blood flow can be hard, especially when starting out. Add to that misinformation or lack of information which makes it impossible to know what normal is.  The average blood loss is 30-40ml (a teaspoon is 5ml).  Between 60 and 80ml you start getting changes in your red blood cells due to lack of iron and more than 80ml and you risk developing anaemia.   A fully saturated light tampon holds about 3ml while a saturated super tampon holds about 12ml.  A regular pad holds about 5ml and a soaked overnight pad holds about 10 to 15ml.

The flow is typically heavier on days 1 and 2 of the period and then tapers off.  Even in the first couple of days, you should be able to last at least 2 hours before needing to change a pad, tampon or menstrual cup, and you shouldn’t flood.  Very small clots can be normal, but large clots are not.

You have some change pre-menstrually but it isn’t a hellscape

As your hormone levels drop in the week leading up to your period you may have some mild bloating, fatigue are breast tenderness or fullness.  You might feel a little irritable or sensitive.  Feeling like your moods are out of control and having a negative impact on your relationships, work and study is not normal and may be PMS or maybe PMDD.  It is not normal and you don’t need to simple accept more intense mood changes, severe fatigue, breast pain, bloating, difficulty concentrating, hormonal migraines and cramping. 

Cramps

Some mild twinges and discomfort can occur at ovulation (called mittelschmerz) but it should not be intense enough to stop you living your life normally or require analgesia.  Mild cramping can be normal at the beginning of the period, but again, it should not be intense enough that you cannot go to school/uni/work, cannot play sport or do the things you usually do.  It definitely shouldn’t make you faint or vomit.  Some women feel a heaviness, some more a cramp, and sometimes lower back aching.

TLDR:

Your period is a great barometer for overall health, and a regular, relatively painless cycle should be the goal.

  • Your cycle should be regular and between 21 and 35 days length
  • The period should last 3-7 days
  • The flow should be manageable – not just spotting, and not flooding
  • Symptoms such as pain and PMS should be mild

Keeping track

It is a great idea to track your cycle and learn about your cycle and how it affects you.  You can use a diary or a free app (but make sure you know who has access to your data).

Changes to your period

If you use hormonal contraception (the pill, mini pill, Implanon, Mirena) or have a copper IUD, your period/bleeding patterns may be different.