Periods ⋆ Meno Martha International Menopause Directory

“Your period can last between 3 and 8 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”

Definition

What is a woman’s menstrual period?

DotS the definition of a woman’s menstrual period may vary. The (United States) MedlinePlus’ definition is:

“Menstruation, or period, is a woman’s monthly bleeding”.²

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 day 21 to day 40 of their menstrual cycle.

Your period can last between 3 and 8 days, but it will usually last for about 5 days. The bleeding tends to be heaviest in the first 2 days”.³

The (United States) Mayo Clinic’s definition is:

“Normal vaginal bleeding, or menstruation, occurs every 21 to 35 days when the uterus sheds its lining, marking the start of a new reproductive cycle. A menstrual period may last for just a few days or up to a week. Your flow may be heavy or light and still considered normal. Menstrual cycles tend to be longer for teens and for women nearing menopause, and menstrual flow may also be heavier at those ages”.⁴

Menstrual Cycle

What is a woman’s menstrual cycle?

DotS the definition of a woman’s menstrual cycle may vary. In What Happens During the Typical 28-Day 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”.⁵

In About the Menstrual Cycle: What Is A Menstrual Cycle? the (Australian) Jean Hailes for Women’s Health’s definition is:

“The menstrual cycle is a cycle of bodily changes controlled by female hormones that cause a regular bleed. This bleed, which usually occurs monthly, comes from the uterus (womb) and flows out from the vagina. ‘Period’, ‘menstruation’ or ‘menses’ are all words used to describe the blood loss women experience at this time”.⁶

Menopause

How can women tell if they are approaching menopause?

In Menopause What Are the Symptoms? Early Symptoms – Changes In Menstrual Periods the Australasian Menopause Society note:

“Many women have a change in their menstrual cycle (period) before their periods stop. You should see your doctor if your periods become heavy or more frequent”.⁷

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 North American Menopause Society (NAMS) 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”.⁸

The JH note:

“When To See Your Doctor

There are many reasons you might need to see your doctor about your periods including:

Changes in the pattern of your period
Increasingly heavy periods
Long periods of more than eight days
Periods that come fewer than three weeks apart
Periods coming more than two to three months apart
Painful periods that cause you to stay home
Bleeding between periods
Bleeding after intercourse

Your menstrual cycle is a normal process for your body. Each woman experiences her menstrual cycle differently, most without any difficulties. If there is any change in your cycle that worries you, see your doctor”.⁹

Health Topics A-Z

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Health Topics A-Z

Links

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Sources

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