When Is A Period Considered Abnormal?

Keeping track of your menstrual cycle can help you answer the question: when is a period considered abnormal. Then filter in the remaining information here to distinguish whether your cycle is normal. All women are different, and we celebrate that, but knowing when to speak to Women’s Care about your period can save you unnecessary pain and anxiety.

What Is “Normally” Considered Normal

Each month a woman’s body prepares for a possible pregnancy. The ovaries release an egg, which is known as ovulation. If the egg is not fertilized, the uterine lining is shed.

There are some parameters to help you compare your menstrual cycle to what most doctors consider normal. In addition, this will help you discover your own normal.

• The cycle is counted from the first day of a period to the first day of the next one.
• Menstrual cycles occur every 21 – 31 days.
• Menstruation lasts from 2 to 7 days.
• Some women have light bleeding while others have heavier bleeding within that time period.
• Cycles tend to shorten as a woman ages.

As you keep track of your own cycle, note occasional changes or irregularities, especially the following.

Abnormal Bleeding Or Bleeding Between Periods

This could be bleeding longer than usual, or it could mean bleeding heavier than your normal. Bleeding between periods is not a commonplace situation and should be discussed with Women’s Care.

If you need to change your tampon or pad more than once an hour, this is abnormal. If you are passing clots larger than a quarter or bleeding through clothing, this is abnormal. If your cramps are so severe they are keeping you from your daily life, speak with your gynecologist.

At the same time, if very heavy periods are normal for you, this should be discussed with your doctor too. Heavy periods or prolonged periods could be related to fibroids or endometriosis.

Irregular Or Missing Periods

There can be several reasons for missing periods and this should be checked out by your doctor. It could be pregnancy, weight loss, or eating disorders that can affect hormones.

PID or Pelvic Inflammatory Disease causes irregular periods. This is an infection located in the reproductive organs.

Premature ovarian failure can occur in women less than 40 years of age. It will cause irregular periods.

Other conditions or lifestyle issues can cause abnormal periods include the following:

• Hypothyroidism
• Hyperthyroidism
• Obesity
• Excessive exercise
• Certain medications
• Cervical or endometrial cancer