What is a Normal Menstruation Period?
Here are come frequently asked questions about Menstruation.
How Long is a Normal Menstruation Cycle?
The menstrual cycle starts on the first day of one period to the first day of the next. This duration is not the same for every woman.
The average Menstrual cycle is 28 days, but this can vary from woman to woman. Some might occur every 21 to 35 days, and this can be normal also.
For the first few years after menstruation begins, long cycles are common.
How Long Does a Period Normally Last?
The average length of menstrual bleeding is three to six days.
It is normal for a girl to have irregular periods in the beginning. During this time, the duration of her periods may vary from as short as 2 days to as long as 7 days.
It can take up to a year for periods to become regular.
What Causes Menstrual Pain?
You may experience abdominal cramps during menstruation. These cramps are caused by the contraction of the uterine and the abdominal muscles to expel the menstrual fluids.
What is the Normal Colour of Period Blood?
Menstrual blood sometimes looks different to normal blood, say from a cut finger.
Menstrual blood is different from normal blood due to its composition and its physical properties. These properties include a few teaspoons of blood per cycle, and the shedded parts of uterine tissue, cervical mucus, endometrial cells, vaginal secretions, and bacterial flora.
The color and consistency of menstrual blood can change throughout your menstrual cycle.
It may be thin and watery one day, and thick and clumpy the next. It may be bright red or brown, heavy or light.
How Much Blood is Normal to Lose?
The usual amount of blood loss per period is 10 to 35 ml. Each soaked normal-sized tampon or pad holds a teaspoon or 5 ml of blood.
That means it is normal to soak one to seven normal-sized pads or tampons (“sanitary pads”) during a normal period.
Heavy menstrual bleeding is considered to be 60ml or more in each cycle. But it is not usually necessary to measure blood loss.
Spotting Between Periods
Sometimes, spotting or brown discharge occurs in the middle of your cycle, during the ovulation phase.
What is Considered A Long Period?
Abnormal bleeding or prolonged periods can be anything longer than 7 days.
Doctor use medical terms when referring to irregular or prolonged menstrual bleeding.
- Menorrhagia describes a period that is very heavy or long lasting.
- Polymenorrhea refers to irregular bleeding for spans of 21 days or less
Can you lose too much blood during your period?
Women who have menorrhagia usually lose twice as much blood as a normal woman. If you have bleeding that lasts longer than 7 days per period, or the bleeding is so heavy that you have to change your pad or tampon nearly every hour, you need to talk with your doctor.
What Cause Prolonged Menstrual Bleeding?
Certain endocrine conditions such as polycystic ovaries and thyroid disorders can also cause irregular cycles; these disorders should be checked out by a specialist.
Prolonged or irregular bleeding can also be caused by: fibroids, endometriosis, pelvic inflammatory disease, prolapse, uterine polyps and infections including STDs
Your Next Step
If you are experiencing period that are not normal or are concerned about any gyneacological problem that may require further investigation, take action.
Dr Gailani can offer advice on a possible diagnosis, further investigations and suitable treatment.
For patients suffering from prolonged periods, excessive bleeding or irregular bleeding, we would advise that you see your general practitioner and possibly obtain a referral to see Dr Gailani at www.omargailani.com.au/
