Your menstrual cycle can help tell you a lot about your overall health.

Renowned naturopathic doctor Lara Briden encourages women and girls to consider their periods to be “monthly report card.” In her book, Period Report Manual: Natural Treatment For Better Hormones and Better Periods, Briden shares how your period can be used as a vital sign to review underlying health conditions.

For many women, periods are a hushed matter that is often not spoken about and that leads to misinformation. This continued misinformation can lead to you ignoring important signs to help diagnose long term ailments.

To dispel many myths and correct misinformed views, we will discuss:

• What your period should look like.
• Common irregular cycles.
• When to see a doctor.

A Healthy Period

So, what should your period look like?

A menstrual cycle should be around 25-35 days long.  Your cycle should also be consistent. Therefore, your period shouldn’t fluctuate from a 28-day cycle to a 33-day cycle, if this is your experience, consult a doctor. Fluctuations in your cycle can mean hormonal deficiencies and this should not be ignored.

Menstrual fluid is not just blood. The fluid released in your period contains blood, uterine lining, vaginal secretions, and cervical mucus.  It should be mostly liquid. Large clots are another sign of some irregularity. Small menstrual clots do occur but pay attention to anything larger than two centimetres.

Your period can be a range of colours, bright red to brown.

For most of your cycle, your period should be a bright red, like cranberry juice. But blood turns darker when it makes contact with the air. When your flow begins it will be bright red but may turn a darker shade as your cycle progresses. This is a sign that there is adequate blood flow to your pelvic region.

To see if your period is ‘regular,’ you can track it and there are several apps available that allow you to record your cycle, know when you are ovulating and note any other related symptoms.

Menstrual Cycle Irregularities

You can experience irregular cycles for several reasons. Here are some common reasons why your period may be abnormal.

• Pregnancy: one of the most obvious reasons for a missed period. Are you pregnant?
• Nutritional imbalances: food is fuel and if you experience any major disruptors in your diet that can affect your period. Eating disorders, rapid weight loss, or weight gain may affect your cycle.
• Uterine fibroids: these non-cancerous growths can lead to extended bleeds and heavier periods.
• Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS): is a common hormonal condition characterised by high male hormones in women. POC will result in infrequent or prolonged periods.

This article is for information only.  If you think you have cause for concern, please contact your healthcare provider immediately. Discuss your symptoms with your doctor and ask questions related to your period and reproductive health.  

Sources: Mayo Clinic, mindbodygreen, Planned Parenthood, Ruby Cup, Women’s Health and Period Repair Manual: Natural Treatment for Better Hormones and Better Periods by Lara Briden, ND.