Is This Normal? How to Talk to Your Doctor About Your Period
Taking a trip to the doctor’s office is never really an exciting prospect. For many, it’s a place of uncomfortability, uncertainty, or somewhere full of nervousness. It can be hard to communicate exactly what’s on your mind in an unnatural environment, and this becomes even harder when you’re not sure what exactly you want to say.
When it comes to talking about menstruation, a lot of this uncertainty can come from not knowing what’s normal and what isn’t. Is my cycle an abnormal length? Am I bleeding too much? Should I be in this much pain? While everyone’s experiences of menstruation are different, there are some symptoms that you definitely shouldn’t be slapping an ‘I’ll just put up with it’ label on. You are more than justified in sharing these concerns with your GP.
So, how do you know if what you're experiencing is ‘normal’, and how do you tell your doctor exactly what is going on so something can be done about it?
What is normal… and what might not be
It's important to remember that everyone’s menstrual cycle is different. Just because your friend might bleed for longer than you or get their period more often does not mean something isn’t ‘normal' with either of your bodies. That being said, the NHS is a helpful resource to better understand what is typical of your menstrual cycle and what might be a red flag worth going to your doctor about.
A period is the part of the menstrual cycle when someone with a womb bleeds from their vagina for a few days. The NHS states that for most people this happens around every 28 days, but variation around this is common, with periods ranging from every 21 days to every 35 days.
The actual bleeding part of the period can last between 2 and 7 days, yet many people experience an average of 5 days of bleeding. Crucially, the NHS advises that periods can change – becoming longer, shorter, lighter, or heavier. While this may not mean there’s a problem, it is worth getting this investigated by your GP or at your nearest sexual health clinic.
Irregularities in your period are important to look out for. If your period cycle is fewer than 21 days or more than 35 days apart, it is considered irregular. Missing three or more periods in a row when you are not taking a contraceptive pill that stops these periods is also irregular. If your menstrual flow has become significantly heavier, or a lot lighter than usual, OR is lasting for longer than seven days, it is also considered irregular. All of this ‘irregularity’ warrants a doctor's appointment, so calling up and booking yourself in with your GP is a recommended next step.
When it comes to pain around your periods, menstruators are often prone to gritting their teeth and bearing it, which normalises and maintains the damaging ethos of ‘putting up with the pain.’ If your period pain is so intense that it gets in the way of your day-to-day activities, then it is at the very least something you shouldn’t be putting up with, and in some instances can be a sign of an underlying condition. It’s best to consult your doctor about any severe menstrual pain as they can help you learn more about your body while offering care and advice that gets you back to a life that isn’t dictated by discomfort.
Talking to your GP
You might be able to get a jist of what’s normal through medical websites and scientific resources but communicating that in relation to your experiences to your doctor can feel overwhelming.
It’s normal to feel intimidated by a medical practice, and maybe a bit uncertain of yourself when talking to your GP, but it’s important to remember that your GP is there to help you. They can support most effectively when they have a clear idea of what you’re experiencing, when it's happening, and what you want to change.
Keeping a diary or using a period tracker to note your periods and the symptoms you experience can help identify patterns in your cycle and help your doctor understand your period. Clue and Stardust are two well reviewed, female owned period tracker apps that allow you to keep track of your bleeding, physical symptoms like cramping and bloating, as well as your emotions. There are many apps out there that do similar things, but if you’d rather keep track in your own way, keeping a diary of when you begin and end your period, or even noting it down in your calendar, can provide valuable insight that your GP can use to better understand your experiences.
Talking about period pain isn’t always easy, but knowing how to describe it and explaining how the pain impacts you can be really useful for your GP. Ask yourself how severe the pain can be on a scale of 1-10, thinking about how the different levels might impact your activities in different ways, and at what points you have to rely on pain killers to get by. Additionally, knowing the right words to describe your pain can help your GP build a stronger idea of how you experience menstruation. Whether it be aching or sharp, dull or constant, tingling, burning, or crushing; knowing what the pain is like, where you feel it, and how long it lasts for are all helpful factors to deepen understanding.
Preparing specific questions you might have beforehand, and even writing them down, could help you feel more confident during your appointment. Taking notes during your visit can also help you remember any advice or next steps your doctor recommends.
Ultimately, remember that seeking medical help for your menstrual health is completely justified, and GPs are there to help get to the bottom of your concerns. Making an appointment and approaching it with self assurance are the first steps in building a relationship with your period that isn’t defined by pain and discomfort. You understand your body better than anyone, and any worries or uncertainty you may have are more than worth discussing with a medical professional.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider regarding your menstrual pain or any medical condition.