Normal vs. Heavy Periods
How do I know if my periods are normal?
During your menstrual cycle, your body prepares for the possibility of becoming pregnant.
During the first half of your cycle, estrogen and progesterone hormone levels rise and thicken the lining of the uterus to protect the egg released by an ovary each month.
If an egg is fertilized, it will embed itself into the new thick lining of your uterus. However, if no egg is fertilized, your body sheds the excess lining over the course of several days in the form of menstrual blood or, your period.
Normal periods can vary from one woman to the next.
In a typical period...
- 4 to 12 tablespoons of blood are lost
- Bleeding occurs regularily every 24 to 31 days
- Bleeding lasts between 4 to 7 days
In a heavy period...
- Bleeding lasts longer than 7 days
- Bleeding may occur regularily or eratically
- Changing tampons / pads more than ever 2 hrs.
- Heavy bleeding causes you to limit your activities or miss work
- Hevy bleeding causes fatigue or anemia
During your menstrual cycle, your body prepares for the possibility of becoming pregnant.
During the first half of your cycle, estrogen and progesterone hormone levels rise and thicken the lining of the uterus to protect the egg released by an ovary each month.
If an egg is fertilized, it will embed itself into the new thick lining of your uterus. However, if no egg is fertilized, your body sheds the excess lining over the course of several days in the form of menstrual blood or, your period.
Normal periods can vary from one woman to the next.
In a typical period...
- 4 to 12 tablespoons of blood are lost
- Bleeding occurs regularily every 24 to 31 days
- Bleeding lasts between 4 to 7 days
In a heavy period...
- Bleeding lasts longer than 7 days
- Bleeding may occur regularily or eratically
- Changing tampons / pads more than ever 2 hrs.
- Heavy bleeding causes you to limit your activities or miss work
- Hevy bleeding causes fatigue or anemia