Periods
A period is part of what happens during the menstrual cycle when women, girls and people who menstruate bleed from their vagina.
Most people have periods every 28 days or so, but this varies from person to person.
Your period is a great sign that you're healthy. If you are having problems with your periods, it may be a sign that you may need to change the way you eat, find ways of getting active or reduce your stress, or of a long-term health condition, like endometriosis, that may need treatment.
What is a 'normal' period?
Everyone experiences periods differently. However, here are some guidelines on what a typical period is like:
- Usually last between 4 and 8 days.
- At it's heaviest, the blood will be red. At its lightest, it may be pink, brown or black.
- You will lose between 5 to 12 teaspoons of
blood - if you bleed more than this, speak to your GP.
- You shouldn't have any pain - if you have pain, talk to your GP to find out what the cause of the pain is.
When do people usually get their first period?
Periods start during puberty at around 11 years old. When you first get them, they may not be regular. If you're 16 and haven't yet had your first period, speak to your GP.
Tracking your periods
You can track your periods using mobile apps or a traditional calendar.
Tracking your symptoms, emotions and experiences on a period app is particularly helpful for planning pregnancy or speaking to a health professional about any problems you have relating to your periods.
You may wish to use the following apps (others are available):
Period products
During your period, there are different products you can use to soak up or collect the blood you release.
The main types of products you can use are:
- Period underwear - underwear with a built in 'pad' that can be washed and reused.
- Disposable pads - strips of padding that stick to the inside of your underwar to soak up blood.
- Disposable tampons - small tubes of cotton wool that you insert into your vagina to soak up blood.
- Reusable menstrual cups - reusable silicone cups that you put inside your vagina to collect the blood. These can be washed out and reused.
You can buy different types of products depending on how heavy your period is.
Free period products
If you are struggling to buy period products, there are places in Havering where you can get them for free.
- Schools
- All schools and education settings can get free period products from a government scheme. Speak to your education setting to see if free products are available.
- Speak to your School Nurse.
- Foodbanks - most foodbanks offer period products for free if you ask for them.
- Queen's Theatre - there are free period products in the bathrooms for those visiting the theatre.
Mental health & periods
PMS (premenstrual syndrome) is the name for the symptoms people who have periods may experience in the weeks before their period comes.
You may experience any of the below:
- mood swings
- feeling depressed or irritable
- feeling upset, anxious or emotional
- tiredness or trouble sleeping
- bloating or cramping
- breast tenderness
- headaches
- spotty skin
- greasy hair
- changes in appetite or food cravings
PMDD is a very severe form of PMS. It can make it hard to work, socialise or have healthy relationships and can cause depression, anxiety and suicidal feelings.
New studies have shown that people with ADHD are 3 times more likely to experience PMDD.
If you are worried about PMDD, speak to your GP.
Get support with your periods
- If you're worried about your period or menstrual cycle, speak to your GP.
- Try to track your periods so you have as much information as possible to share with your GP. Use the NHS Scotland questionnaire to write down ideas to discuss with your healthcare professional.
Visit the NHS website for support relating to
Menopause
Menopause is when your periods stop forever. This usually happens to people who have periods between the ages of 45 and 55.
