Menstrual cycle: What's normal, what's not(3/4)
Your menstrual cycle lasts from the first day of your period to the first day of your next period. The average menstrual cycle is about 25-30 days, but it can be as short as 21 days or longer than 35 — it’s different from person to person. The number of days in your cycle may also vary from month to month. When you get your period, it’s normal to bleed anywhere from 2 to 7 days.
The average person loses anywhere between 1-6 tablespoons of menstrual fluid during each period. It can be thin or clumpy and varies in colour from dark red to brown or pink. (When you first start having your period, it may last only a few days or be super light.) If your period is so heavy that you have to change maxi pads or super tampons every hour, call your doctor or your local Planned Parenthood health centre.
Everyone’s body is different, so their periods are different too — what’s “normal” varies from person to person and can change over your lifetime. Some birth control methods or health conditions may also affect your period.
What causes menstrual cycle irregularities?
Menstrual cycle irregularities can have many different causes, including:
• Pregnancy or breast-feeding. A missed period can be an early sign of pregnancy. Breast-feeding typically delays the return of menstruation after pregnancy.
• Eating disorders, extreme weight loss or excessive exercising. Eating disorders — such as anorexia nervosa — severe weight loss, and increased physical activity can disrupt menstruation.
• Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Women with this common endocrine system disorder may have irregular periods and enlarged ovaries that contain small collections of fluid — called follicles — located in each ovary, as seen during an ultrasound exam.
• Premature ovarian failure. Premature ovarian failure refers to the loss of normal ovarian function before age 40. Women who have premature ovarian failure — also known as primary ovarian insufficiency — might have irregular or occasional periods for years.
• Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). This infection of the reproductive organs can cause irregular menstrual bleeding.
• Uterine fibroids. Uterine fibroids are noncancerous growths of the uterus. They can cause heavy menstrual periods and prolonged menstrual periods.
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