Your period is an indicator of your body’s overall health
MANY women dread their monthly periods for obvious reasons, such as cramps, mood swings, acne and craving of comfort food.
While some of these complaints are normal, others can be avoided.
Women’s health experts suggest that getting your period each month is an indicator of your body’s functionality. By tracking your periods, you can pick up when your body is functioning normally or when health changes are occurring.
Dr Peter de Jong, a gynaecologist and obstetrician at Netcare Christiaan Barnard Memorial Hospital, says a normal period should have the following characteristics:
It should occur monthly, lasting for about three to seven days.
It should not have clots and, on average, a woman should be using three tampons or pads daily, depending on how heavy the flow is.
Ideally the period shouldn’t be too painful. De Jong explains that the blood flow and pain may differ, depending on the woman’s age. For young women, the period may be irregular and painful due to hormone fluctuations and imbalances throughout puberty.
De Jong says obesity may affect a woman’s period. A diet low in fibre and high in saturated fats can lead to poor nutrition and this can negatively affect regularity and lead to painful menstrual periods. Bad foods may include takeaways, sugary drinks, refined foods such as pastries, cookies and cakes, and high energy foods such as white bread, potato chips and pizzas.
After menopause, women shouldn’t experience any bleeding.
De Jong says pain and heavy bleeding may indicate an anomaly and this may need an investigation to check if there are abnormalities. If your periods become irregular or painful, it is also recommended that you consult your doctor.
Tests may include a pap smear. De Jong suggests women have these done every two to three years and, for high-risk women – including those who smoke, are HIV-positive or have many sexual partners – once a year.
Other things that your periods may reveal about your health include the following:
Hormone imbalance problems: On average, women should be having their period every 21 to 35 days. A period outside this time frame may indicate a hormonal imbalance.
Thyroid problems: An irregularity in your menstrual cycle can be the result of your thyroid not working properly. A poorly-functioning thyroid may also result in fatigue, weight gain and high cholesterol.
Weight problems: Women who are either underweight or overweight may have problems with the balance of hormones, which can cause irregular periods.
Overtraining and some extreme diets may also affect your periods, making them irregular. Some women’s periods may stop altogether, which indicates a problem.
Bleeding after your periods: De Jong says bleeding or staining after your period can sometimes be normal for women who take birth control pills.
However, women who do not take birth control and still see prolonged bleeding after their period should consult their doctor.