ARE YOU LISTENING TO YOUR PERIOD?

What goes through your mind when the word ‘period’ is mentioned?

Do you hate your period? Do you dread it? Do you appreciate it?

I started my period when I was 12 years old. I remember thinking I had peed on myself one afternoon is school. I rushed to the washrooms.

There I was, looking at my blood-stained panty in disbelief! ‘So, this is what we were told about when the ladies from ‘Always’ came to give us the period talk?’ I thought to myself.

With no pad in sight. I was so confused on what to do. I tied my school sweater around my waist and asked my class teacher for an early leave home.

She was very polite and asked me to see the school matron first for a pad.

I skipped the visit to the matron and dashed straight home.

On my arrival, I remember my mum gasping, why are you back home this early? There we were having the period talk. To be honest I was very excited, bittersweet to be precise. Happy to now be referred to as a ‘woman’ and scared about what I was to expect and do next. My mum placed a pad in my hands and asked me to wear it.

This was the only time in my entire life that I was happy about my period.

Only time could tell that my period would one day turn into the most horrific experiences of my life. Obviously, that was after I was diagnosed with symptomatic fibroids at the age at 26.

Through my interaction with women living with fibroids and even with women who questioned why their period felt some ‘type’ of way, I realized most women don’t know what an abnormal period feels or looks like. Funny if you ask me, as this is the one thing that every woman ought to know.

Your body is designed in a way that before anything goes 100% wrong it will give you prior warnings.

Before I found out I have fibroids my period was extremely heavy accompanied with blood clots, this were my first symptoms.

Without being familiar with the abnormal symptoms/signs of a period you will end up jeopardizing your reproductive health when you could have avoided all the trauma if you had LISTENED TO YOUR BODY!

Before we delve into finding out whether your period is abnormal lets first bust a myth.

Pre-menstrual Syndrome doesn’t equal an abnormal period.

Pre-menstrual Syndrome is when a woman’s mood or body changes before/during her period.

PMS normally goes away after 2-3 days after your period begins.

Symptoms include period cramps, bloated stomach, diarrhea, sadness, mood swings etc.

This is very normal for every woman to encounter.

Here’s how to listen to your period and to tell whether you are experiencing an abnormal period:

1. Cramps that interfere with your lifestyle/ Dysmenorrhea

Let’s set the record straight.

A normal period will consist of cramps that start just before your period into at least the third day of your period.

Any kind of pain that interferes with your concentration at work, cripples your movement or normalcy should be looked into by a gynecologist.

If you don’t get relief from over the counter medication, it’s also time to see a doctor.

2. Pelvic Discomfort

Is normal during your period.

From back pains, pain that sometimes stretches to your legs that can be managed is ok.

But when movement is crippled, this isn’t normal.

3. Hemorrhaging / Menorrhagia

If you are soaking up a sanitary towel or tampon in less than 2 hours.i.e. every 30min- 1hour OR you have to double up with tampons and pads then something is amiss.

Also, if your period lasts for more than 7 days it would be necessary to check in with your doctor that something isn’t wrong.

It is also important to note that a period accompanied by heavy blood clots could be a sign of fibroids or ovarian cysts.

4. No period/Amenorrhea

You are not pregnant and have not seen your period this month?

There is definitely something wrong.

It could mean you are not ovulating, having a hormonal imbalance or you are stressed etc.

5. Bleeding during sexual intercourse

Unless you were having sex at the time when you were expecting your period, bleeding during sex is a NO NO!

If you are experiencing this please see a doctor.

If you are experiencing any of the above symptoms please see a gynecologist obstetrician to rule out that something isn’t wrong with your reproductive health.

Thanks for taking time to read this article.

At the end of the day, I don’t write this article to check mark my writing to do list, my goal is to ensure that your reproductive health is at its optimum. This is the only way for you to thrive.

Remember your health is wealth.

When you are unwell, you won’t be with your children, you won’t be able to fend for yourself and the people you love.

That is why I seek to empower you with this knowledge every week. To ensure you thrive.