Let’s be real, While it’s great to get life advice from your friends and family on most things, there are some topics best left to the professionals—like your period. Fortunately, doctors have basically seen and heard everything under the sun when it comes to what’s going on down there, so even questions you consider totally gross or taboo are completely normal for them.
Is it normal that my period lasts only two days? How about as long as 12?
While period length varies per person, the average duration of a period is from three to seven days.
Generally speaking, anything longer than seven days isn’t considered normal, meaning you should check in with your gyno to see what’s up. Periods that last more than seven days may have an underlying cause, including stress, hormone imbalance, infection, or more.
Another thing to check in with your doctor about: If your period length is all over the place, jumping from three days one cycle to seven the next. The key is to get a sense of what’s normal for you, and then, if your cycle doesn’t match up in comparison to previous cycles, consult your gyno.
Is it normal to see blood that’s not red during my period?
While you might think that period blood should always be fire-truck red, it’s totally normal for it to be darker—or even lighter, too. Periods can vary from one to the other, and from person to person. One period can start off red and turn brown toward the end, or vice-versa. And the consistency of the blood can change too.
Is it normal that my period is really heavy and I go through multiple tampons or pads per day?
It depends on the number. Having to change your tampon or pad every three to four hours is considered normal. Anything more than that—i.e. you’re changing it almost every hour for several days in a row—could signal a deeper health issue, and you may want to speak to your doctor.
Another factor to consider is which day of your period you’re on. Many women experience a heavier flow on the first and second days of their periods, and then it starts to get lighter.
Your best option is to go for the products that are designed to help you handle your particular flow that day.
Is it normal that my period seems to come every other month?
Irregular periods are normal at the beginning, in the first couple years after you get your first period. But as you get older, it should start to come more regularly. Getting your period once every four to five weeks is considered normal at that point.
There are a couple of factors that could prevent this from happening. For one thing, if you’re not taking in enough calories or are exercising an extreme amount, you may not get your period at all and you should check in with your doctor. Another factor to consider is an endocrine problem. Getting your period every other month means you’re not ovulating as regularly, which could signal an underlying issue. If that’s the case, be sure to let your gyno know so she can help you figure out the root cause.
Is it normal that I sometimes bleed through my tampon at night?
Definitely—and blood flow can vary throughout your cycle, too. Many girls bleed through a tampon or pad in the first few days of their periods.
One way to handle the excess bleeding: Make sure you use an extra-absorbent tampon or pad.
Is it normal that I get completely ravenous the week before my period?
The feeling that you could eat an entire pizza before your period is definitely normal. It all has to do with fluctuating hormones—specifically, the hormone progesterone, which is responsible for this increase in appetite. Your body produces progesterone in greater quantities right after ovulation, which is why you get so hungry and may crave things like carbs and sugar.
Is it normal that my discharge gets weird during my period?
It’s definitely not just you—gynos says that weird discharge is part of the deal when it comes to getting your period. You can thank chemicals called prostaglandins for this occurrence. When you get your period, the uterine lining breaks down, and during that process, your body makes prostaglandins, which can make you crampy, and cause indigestion, nausea, and diarrhea.
In other words: No, you are not imagining your weird discharge issues. They are real, and (fortunately) they don’t last forever.
