Menstruation | The Family Planning Association of Sri Lanka

Menstruation

 

What are the common reasons for missed or late periods?

 If you suspect you might be pregnant, consider taking a home pregnancy test or consulting your doctor for confirmation.

 Keep in mind that late or missed periods can also be caused by factors such as medication, stress, diet, or exercise.

It's normal for young women to experience irregular menstrual cycles, especially when just starting to menstruate.

If you have any concerns or are experiencing pain, it's important to speak with your doctor for guidance.

 Hormonal fluctuations can also lead to irregular periods in young women whose cycles are not yet well established.

 

How long is the average period length?

After your first period, it's common for menstrual cycles to be irregular for a few years. As you progress through adolescence, your cycles will become more regular, although there may still be some variability. Typically, the length of a period ranges from 3 to 5 days.

 

Is it normal to have a period twice in a month?

Yes, it’s possible. 

  • Some months, your menstrual cycle may last for more or fewer days than the previous month.
  • Or your cycle may start earlier or later than before.

If you usually have a regular cycle, a change in your cycle could indicate a medical condition. Please talk to your doctor to get medical advice.

 

If your period lasts more than 7 days, what should you do?

If you have bleeding that lasts longer than 7 days per period or is so heavy that you have to change your pad or tampon nearly every hour, you need to talk to your doctor.

 

What is an irregular period?

This is a common occurrence for many women and girls.        
Your period is irregular if:

  • it comes more frequently than 21 days,
  • you go 35 days or more between period.

Sometimes irregular periods can be caused by:

  • some medicines,
  • exercising too much,
  • too low body weight,
  • too high body weight,
  • hormonal imbalances such as thyroid hormone level abnormalities. And including polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)

Consult your doctor to determine the cause and get help.

 

How do you treat irregular periods?

For irregular periods there usually is no immediate reason to consult your doctor. But if you are concerned, please do so. 

They may also prescribe hormonal contraception to prevent unintended pregnancies and reduce irregular bleeding.

 

What are the reasons for less bleeding during periods?

Lighter periods than usual should not cause concern. People often find their menstrual flow varies from month-to-month. The following factors can cause periods to be lighter than usual:

  • Normal Variation
  • Major Change in weight 
  • Stress and other external influence
  • Medications and Contraceptive methods    
  • Health conditions.
  • Perimenopause
  • If bleeding when pregnant, it is important to find out why. To work out what is causing the bleeding, you may need to have a vaginal or pelvic examination, an ultrasound scan or blood tests. Please contact your doctor to get medical advice immediately.

     

Is it normal to have no pain during periods?

Yes! For some, menstruation is entirely painless and problem-free. Be happy if you are one of them.

 

Are painful menstrual cramps normal? 

For many, periods pains are real. Common pains can be:

  • abdominal cramps,
  • headaches and back pain
  • breast tenderness
  • mood swings or nausea

If you're experiencing severe discomfort, consult your doctor for investigation and pain relief options. Hormonal contraception like the pill can make periods lighter, reducing pain and limitations on activities like exercise, and sex.

 

Why are my period cramps so painful?

Painful period cramps could be caused by heavy menstrual bleeding or they could be caused by endometriosis. In this painful condition, the cells or tissue lining the uterus, grow outside the uterus. You should consult a doctor to help you get better. 

 

What is PMS (premenstrual syndrome)? Is it real?

Certainly, PMS (premenstrual syndrome) is a real experience for many women. Approximately 8 out of 10 women encounter discomfort before their monthly period due to hormonal changes. For some, these symptoms can be severe and significantly affect their daily lives, both personally and professionally.

 

What you should know:

Most common premenstrual symptoms are divided into two groups:

  1. Affective: depressive mood, angry outbursts, irritability, anxiety, confusion, social withdrawal
  2. Somatic: breast tenderness, abdominal bloating, headache, swelling of extremities

Please talk to your doctor if you are suffering from these symptoms.

 

Is having sex during your period safe?

Using contraception during your period is important as fertilization can occur during this phase of your menstrual cycle. Ovulation typically occurs about two weeks before your period, between day 7 and 21 of your cycle. Therefore, it's crucial to consistently use contraception to prevent pregnancy.

 

Can I get pregnant during my period?

Yes - during monthly bleeding the chances of pregnancy are low but not zero. Bleeding itself does not prevent pregnancy. In the first several days of monthly bleeding, the chances of pregnancy are lowest. As the days pass, the chances of pregnancy increase, whether or not she is still bleeding. The risk of pregnancy rises until ovulation. The day after ovulation the chances of pregnancy decrease.  

 

Can sperm survive in period blood?

Yes, sperm can survive in your body for up to 5 days whether you are menstruating or not. And the period blood can't flush away sperm. Please always use a contraceptive method to avoid unplanned pregnancies.

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