Understanding what's normal for your menstrual cycle can help you identify when something might be off. While every woman’s cycle is unique, certain signs can indicate that your menstrual bleeding is abnormal and may require medical attention.
Take a moment as the Capital Women’s Care team shares what is — and isn’t — considered normal menstrual bleeding and how we can help.
Normal menstrual bleeding typically lasts 3 to 7 days and occurs every 21 to 35 days as part of your menstrual cycle. Most women lose 2 to 3 tablespoons (or 30-40 millimeters) of blood during this time. Unless you use a menstrual cup, you probably won't be able to measure how much blood you lose, and that's okay.
The flow usually starts light, becomes heavier, and then tapers off toward the end. While some cramping and discomfort are normal, the bleeding should not be so heavy that you need to change your pad or tampon more than every 3-4 hours during the day, nor should it include large clots. (You also won't need to change your pad overnight unless you have heavy flows.)
Abnormal menstrual bleeding can take many forms. You might suspect you have abnormal bleeding if you experience:
If you find yourself changing your pad or tampon every hour, doubling up on pads and tampons, waking up in the night to change your pad, or passing large blood clots, your menstrual bleeding may be heavier than normal.
Heavy menstrual bleeding, also known as menorrhagia, can be more than just an inconvenience. It can lead to fatigue as well as iron deficiency anemia.
Let us know if your bleeding lasts over seven days or is shorter than three. While an occasional deviation from your normal is okay (stress can mess up your period!), consistently short or consistently long periods may indicate other issues.
Fibroids, for example, can cause longer periods.
If your periods consistently last longer than a week or if they are irregular, coming more frequently than every 21 days or less often than every 35 days, it could be a sign of an underlying issue. Conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) or thyroid disorders can affect the regularity and duration of your menstrual cycle.
Spotting or light bleeding between periods can be concerning, especially if it happens frequently. While occasional spotting might not be a cause for alarm, persistent bleeding between periods could signal hormonal imbalances, uterine fibroids, or other underlying conditions.
Keep track of your cycle and report any irregular bleeding to your Capital Women's Care provider.
There are a few conditions where it’s normal to miss a period altogether. This includes pregnancy, perimenopause, and the use of certain birth control. However, if you miss periods in the absence of those three conditions, it’s worth giving us a call.
Menstrual cramps are common, but if your pain is severe enough to disrupt your daily life, it’s worth investigating. Conditions such as endometriosis or pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) can cause intense menstrual pain and abnormal bleeding.
If you have abnormal bleeding, our first goal is to pinpoint the source of your symptoms and then formulate a plan to address it. Your Capital Women’s Care provider may review your health history, review your symptoms, and analyze imaging tests such as an ultrasound.
Depending on the cause of your symptoms, we may recommend:
If you’re concerned about your period or are struggling with abnormal bleeding month after month, don’t hesitate to reach out. Give us a call at 301-663-6171 to reach any of the locations in Frederick or Mount Airy, Maryland. You can also click here to request an appointment today.
