“Is it normal…” I Googled. Here were the top three queries:
“Is it normal to miss a period?”
“Is it normal to bleed while pregnant?”
“Is it normal to have white discharge every day?”
Stigmas surrounding women’s health have made it difficult to feel comfortable learning about our bodies, much less aware if something about our cycle is a cause for concern. Betties, we’re desperate to know if fill-in-the-blank is normal because we want to know if we are not.
Here’s the thing: while a thermometer reading of 101F is an easy indication of a fever, the reproductive system is complex, and the only way to indicate something “abnormal” is by establishing what’s “normal” for you first. So before you take to the internet, invest in learning your cycle with this checklist of questions:
How often do I get my period?
▢ LESS THAN EVERY 21 DAYS
▢ EVERY 21-35 DAYS
▢ MORE THAN EVERY 35 DAYS
WHY THIS IS IMPORTANT:
Your period might be the main event, but the menstrual cycle goes way beyond the bleed! Typically, the length of a Betty’s cycle is somewhere between 21-35 days and their period generally lasts up to 7 days. For new menstruators (welcome to the club, babes!), it might take a few years for your cycle to find its groove. Learning yours gets you in tune with your body and aware of when that period is planning to come back ’round again.
How heavy is my flow?
DAY 1+2 ▢ LIGHT ▢ MEDIUM ▢ HEAVY
DAY 3+4 ▢ LIGHT ▢ MEDIUM ▢ HEAVY
DAY 5+ ▢ LIGHT ▢ MEDIUM ▢ HEAVY
WHY THIS IS IMPORTANT:
Bleeding will vary Betty to Betty, but if you’re having to swap your period product every hour, having periods that last for more than a week could indicate a possible issue. Spot a blood clot or two? No sweat – small clots can be normal unless you’re passing clots the size of a quarter or larger. If that’s the case, give your provider a ring. Health aside, keeping tabs on your bleed levels can help steer you toward a period product that can stand up to your flow
Do I ever bleed between periods?
▢ NO
▢ yes (if yes, jot down the date + details if you can!)
WHY THIS IS IMPORTANT:
Bleeding between periods is typically harmless and not cause for immediate concern, but it’s a smart move to have your healthcare provider check it out. Having the date and details can help hone in on the cause of any spotting.
Do I ever miss my period?
▢ NO
▢ yes (if yes, jot down the date + details if you can!)
WHY THIS IS IMPORTANT:
The most common reason for a period gone MIA is pregnancy. However, a variety of factors could cause a hiccup in the cycle. If you can rule out pregnancy + miss more than three cycles, it’s time to hit up your GYN provider!
How intense are my cramps?
▢ no cramping
▢ light cramping
▢ moderate cramping
▢ intense cramping
WHY THIS IS IMPORTANT:
Cramps are practically the mascot for periods, but we’re not here to normalize pain that keeps you from your fullest self! Most menstruators can expect mild-to-moderate pain a few days before + during their period. Measuring pain is tricky you see, because every Betty’s pain tolerance + type will differ. Think of mild-to-moderate pain to mean, yes, it hurts, but it doesn’t hurt so badly that it disrupts your daily life. If you find yourself clocking cramps of that nature, it’s time to hit up your provider.
How other physical symptoms do I experience before/during my period?
▢ cravings
▢ headaches
▢ nausea
▢ breast tenderness
▢ joint/muscle aches
▢ bloating
▢ other:
WHY THIS IS IMPORTANT:
Betties, our periods come with an array of aches and ughs. Knowing your body’s period cues can help you get in front of the pain + work with your provider to see about any solutions that could help make your cycle a little bit more bearable.
How is my mental well-being during my period?
Which of these emotional symptoms do you experience most intensely?
▢ cravings
▢ anxiety
▢ sleep problems
▢ irritability
▢ mood swings
▢ distractibility
▢ low self-esteem
WHY THIS IS IMPORTANT:
We believe caring for your emotional symptoms is fundamental to period care.
Betties, you may experience one or all of these emotions – and that’s okay! Our bodies + minds are connected, so it’s no surprise that when our monthly visitor makes an appearance, our mental health might be affected as well. Tracking your emotional symptoms can help establish any patterns and signal what approach is needed– whether that’s self-care, medication, or counseling.
Bravo, Betties!
You’ve kicked off the getting-to-know-you of your one-of-a-kind cycle.
Body literacy begins with learning *your* normal so you can loop in your provider when care is needed. Your period? It’s not just a monthly thing; it’s not just a Google query, and it’s definitely not a topic we should keep hush-hush about – it’s a unique indicator of our capital-H Health and overall well-being.
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