From endometriosis to cancer and infertility…the 8 things your PERIOD is telling you about your health
IT’S that time of the month, a fact of life that no woman can ignore.
But while some almost breeze through their period barely noticing it, others are left doubled over with painful cramps and heavy bleeding.
The reality is, it’s different for every woman.
But when it comes to what’s “normal” and what’s not there are a few key things to remember, experts told The Sun.
Significant changes in your period – from colour to flow and regularity – can all be an indication that something isn’t quite right, down there.
From endometriosis to stress, even cancer, these are the eight things your period could be telling you about your health…
1. A hormone imbalance
Dr Helen Webberley, a GP for Oxford Online Pharmacy, said: “Women tend to menstruate every 21 to 35 days.
“If you do not have regular periods it could be a sign that your hormones are out of balance which can lead to the symptoms commonly associated with PMT – these can include headaches, mood swings, night sweats, fatigue and weight gain.”
Your period is regulated by your oestrogen and progesterone levels, which tell the body when to release an egg and when to prepare the womb for pregnancy.
They also tell your body when to have a period.
When they are out of kilter your body isn’t able to regulate your period as well.
According to the Mayo Clinic, it is normal for women to experience irregular periods from time to time, but not all the time.
It can be caused by stress, weight loss, pregnancy or drinking too much alcohol.
If you are concerned about the regularity of your period you should see a GP.
2. Thyroid problems
This is linked, in part, to a hormone imbalance.
The thyroid gland secretes hormones that are necessary for a whole host of bodily functions – including growth, body temperature and muscle strength – so when there is a problem with the thyroid a person’s entire body can be affected.
An overactive thyroid gland can cause your period to stop completely.
Dr Webberley added: “Irregular periods can be a result of your thyroid not working properly.
“This can lead to fatigue, weight gain, depression, high cholesterol, and other symptoms.”
3. Weight problems
As touched on above, if you’re overweight or underweight then the balance of your hormones may be affected.
Overweight women are more at risk of reproductive problems such as polycystic ovary syndrome, which is caused by a raised level of male hormones in the body.
Dr Webberley suggests that if your periods are irregular, or not happening at all, then it may be time to look at what the scales are telling you.
She said: “If you’re either underweight or overweight, your balance of hormones may be affected, which can cause irregular periods.
“In some cases, particularly where stringent dieting or overtraining is a factor in weight loss, it can cause periods to stop altogether.
“Your period is therefore a good indicator of whether you are at a healthy weight.”
4. Extreme stress
Stress can also impact the regularity of your period.
When you are stressed it doesn’t just affect your mental state, but also your physical health.
Dr Webberley, who works with to encourage open conversation about periods among teenage girls, explained: “Adrenalin, commonly known as the fight or flight hormone, is released during times of extreme stress.
“Adrenalin can severely interrupt the body’s hormonal equilibrium, to the extent where it can actually prevent conception.
“If your periods stop, it could mean you need to take some time out to de-stress as it could be affecting your general health.”
5. Endometriosis
Endometriosis is a painful condition in which the lining of the womb behaves abnormally and begins to grow outside the womb in places like the fallopian tubes.
The body cannot rid itself of the tissue properly, which can cause extreme cramps and problems with menstruation.
It can even stop periods all together.
FOR 10 PER CENT OF WOMEN IT TAKES 15 YEARS FOR A DIAGNOSIS
According to the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Women’s Health many women are often dismissed by GPs as imagining their symptoms.
It found about 40 per cent of those with endometriosis visit their doctor ten times before they are referred to a specialist.
Their report, tabled in March 2017, noted for 10 per cent of women it takes 15 years of seeking help to become diagnosed.
The group interviewed 2,600 women who had suffered with the chronic condition and produced a 51-page report.
Paula Sherriff, the MP for Dewsbury, who chaired the all-party group, said: “The fact that almost 50 per cent of women did not feel that they were treated with dignity and respect is appalling.”
The exact cause of the condition isn’t known, but it’s thought it could be hereditary or due to environmental factors – even the presence of certain toxins in the environment could play a role, according to the NHS.
It can cause painful or heavy periods, pain during and following sex, bleeding between periods and can lead to difficulty conceiving.
So it is vital you know what is normal for your period and, if you notice any change, to discuss it with your GP.
6. Infertility
While many of the changes to your period can be relatively minor, they can be a sign something more serious is wrong.
Dr Webberley warned some changes can indicate problems with fertility.
Your period is an essential part of the process of conceiving a baby.
If your ovulation cycle is not working properly then it can be very difficult to become pregnant.
Endometriosis and polycystic ovary syndrome can lead to infertility, as can growths on the uterine wall and polyps caused by heavy bleeding, according to Narendra Pisal, a consultant gynaecologist at London Gynaecology.
He said: “It is always a good idea to get things checked out with your GP or gynaecologist if you’re unsure.
“Bleeding during an average period is supposed to be around 80ml – less than half a cup – but a lot of women do have more bleeding than this.
“You can call your periods heavy, but if you are passing lots of clots or having to constantly use double protection, are changing protection more frequently than every four hours or if your periods are making you anaemic you should visit your GP.
And even if your flow is not that obviously heavy but is leaving you feeling tired and exhausted, you should also see a doctor.
7. Cancer or pre-cancerous cells
Heavy periods can also be a sign of something much more serious, even deadly, such as uterine cancer.
According to the NHS, heavy bleeding or bleeding between periods is an indication you may have the cancer.
Bleeding may start as light bleeding accompanied by a watery discharge, which may get heavier over time, it explains.
Most women diagnosed with womb cancer have been through the menopause, so any vaginal bleeding will be unusual.
The risk of womb cancer increases with age, as well as a hormone imbalance and being overweight.
Women who have more oestrogen in their system are more likely to develop the disease.
8. Brain tumour
It is rare, but a change in your period can also be a sign you have a brain tumour.
The pituitary gland, which is about the size of a pea and located deep in the base of your brain, controls the secretion of hormones in the body.
It controls several hormone-secreting glands including the thyroid, adrenals and ovaries.
If you have a tumour on the pituitary gland then it can affect how hormones are released and, in turn, the body’s response to those hormones.
As the menstrual cycle is dictated by hormones and controlled by the ovaries, if there is a problem with the control centre upstairs it can change the regularity and even colour of your period.
If you are worried about any changes to your period you should speak to a GP.
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