Periods

Periods

“Your period can last between 2 and 7 days,
but it will usually last for about 5 days.
The bleeding tends to be heaviest in the first 2 days”.1

Umbrella

What may the Periods Umbrella include?

Depending on the Source (DotS) this Umbrella may include:

  • George
  • Girl’s Week
  • Menses
  • Menstrual Cycle
  • Menstrual Period
  • Menstruation
  • Monthly Bleeding
  • Normal Vaginal Bleeding
  • Period/s
  • “Monthly”

Period

What is a period?

DotS the definition of a period may vary. In Periods: Overview the (United Kingdom) NHS’s definition is:

“A period is the part of the menstrual cycle when a woman bleeds from her vagina for a few days.

For most women this happens every 28 days or so, but it’s common for periods to be more or less frequent than this, ranging from every 23 days to every 35 days.

Your period can last between 2 and 7 days, but it will usually last for about 5 days. The bleeding tends to be heaviest in the first 2 days”.2

Menstrual Cycle

What is the menstrual cycle?

DotS the definition of the menstrual cycle may vary. In Your Menstrual Cycle: What Is the Menstrual Cycle? the Office on Women’s Health, United States Department of Health and Human Services, Womenshealth.gov’s definition is:

“The menstrual cycle is the monthly hormonal cycle a female’s body goes through to prepare for pregnancy. Your menstrual cycle is counted from the first day of your period up to the first day of your next period. Your hormone levels (estrogen and progesterone) usually change throughout the menstrual cycle and can cause menstrual symptoms”.3

In Periods: About the Menstrual Cycle the (Australian) Jean Hailes for Women’s Health’s (JH) definition is:

“The menstrual cycle is a natural process in the female reproductive system. It repeats every cycle from your first period (menarche) to your final period menopause.

Each cycle begins on the first day of your period and ends the day before your next period”.4

Menstrual Cycle Pattern

What is a usual menstrual cycle pattern?

In Vaginal Bleeding: Basics – Definition the (United States) Mayo Clinic explain:

“Vaginal bleeding from a period usually happens every 21 to 35 days. This is called the menstrual cycle. The blood comes from the lining of the uterus, which is shed through the vagina. When this happens, a new reproductive cycle has started”.5

Look for A Pattern

How may I Look for A Pattern with my periods?

In Periods (Menstruation): Irregular Periods the (Scottish) NHS Inform elaborate on:

“It can be helpful to keep a note of your period dates and symptoms using a calendar, a diary or an app. You can then discuss this with your doctor who can decide if any tests or treatments might be necessary”.6

Health Care Provider

What if there are changes in my periods?

If there are changes in your periods, it may be in you best interest to choose to talk to your health care provider about this. In Menstrual Calendar the Menopause Society (formerly the North American Menopause Society) explain:

“During the transition to menopause (called perimenopause), it is normal to skip periods, but very frequent or heavy bleeding episodes often requires an evaluation by your healthcare provider. Any bleeding after menopause requires an evaluation by your healthcare provider”.7

In Periods: When To See Your Doctor About Your Period the JH note:

“There are many reasons why you might need to see a doctor about your periods. For example, if you have:

  • Heavy periods
  • Painful periods
  • Absent periods
  • Unusual bleeding (e.g. bleeding between periods, after having sex or after menopause)”.8

Health Topics A-Z

Where may I find Health Topics A-Z related to Periods?

In Health Topics A-Z you may find:

Health Topics A-Z

Links

Where may I find Links related to Periods?

Your Country may have Links similar to:

Links

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Sources

Where may I find the Sources quoted?

You may find the Sources quoted at:

Sources

  1. Periods: Overview. Page Last Reviewed: 05 January 2023. NHS https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/periods/ Accessed: 28 May 2026
  2. Periods: Overview. Page Last Reviewed: 05 January 2023. NHS https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/periods/ Accessed: 28 May 2026
  3. Your Menstrual Cycle? What Is the Menstrual Cycle? Page Last Updated: 13 January 2025. Office on Women’s Health, United States Department of Health and Human Services, Womenshealth.gov https://womenshealth.gov/menstrual-cycle/your-menstrual-cycle Accessed: 28 May 2026
  4. Periods: About the Menstrual Cycle. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://www.jeanhailes.org.au/health-topics/periods/ Accessed: 28 May 2026
  5. Vaginal Bleeding: Basics – Definition. 02 May 2023. Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/symptoms/vaginal-bleeding/basics/definition/sym-20050756 Accessed: 28 May 2026
  6. Periods (Menstruation). Last Updated: 07 January 2026. NHS Inform https://www.nhsinform.scot/healthy-living/womens-health/girls-and-young-women-puberty-to-around-25/periods-and-menstrual-health/periods-menstruation/ Accessed: 28 May 2026
  7. Menstrual Calendar. 2015. North American Menopause Society https://menopause.org/wp-content/uploads/default-document-library/menonote-menstrual-calendar-english.pdf Accessed: 28 May 2026
  8. Periods: When To See Your Doctor About Your Periods. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://www.jeanhailes.org.au/health-topics/periods/ Accessed: 28 May 2026
Topic Last Updated: 01 June 2026 – Topic Last Reviewed: 28 May 2026

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