6 Unexpected Period Changes Every Woman Should Pay Attention to

Weight, blood pressure, and heart rate are common measurements used by healthcare providers to assess your health. But there's another bodily function to consider when trying to figure out what's going on in your system: your period.

Sudden changes in how heavy your flow is, where your cramps rank on the pain scale, spotting between cycles, and other unexplained changes are all signals from your period that something is wrong. It could be a minor and insignificant issue, but it could also be a sign of something more serious that you don't want to put off.

Here are six changes to watch for, as well as the conditions that may be causing them.

1. You Notice Big, Jelly-Like Blood Clots

When you have your period, blood clots on your tampon or in the toilet are normal. They appear when your flow is very heavy, and the natural anticoagulants that normally break down clots before they leave your body simply can't keep up with how quickly your uterine lining is shedding.

They are typically dark or bright red in color, with irregular shapes and sizes. Small clots the size of raisins are usually not a cause for concern. Larger, thicker clots bigger than the size of a quarter, on the other hand, may be a cause for concern.

Menorrhagia is indicated by larger clots. A hormonal imbalance that causes a very heavy flow could be the cause, and large clots can also be a sign of infection or even miscarriage.

If you have had large clots for at least a few cycles in a row, notify your healthcare provider as soon as possible so they can investigate further.

2. Your Period Suddenly Gets Extremely Heavy or Lasts for a Long Time

Some people have three-day periods, while others have six or seven. Menorrhagia that lasts more than a week, on the other hand, might be cause for concern.

An overactive or underactive thyroid, as well as polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), are common hormone-related issues that can result in irregular and longer periods. Medications that disrupt hormones, such as thyroid drugs, steroids, and antipsychotics, are frequently to blame.

Uterine fibroids and polyps are two benign growths that can cause abnormal vaginal bleeding. Another factor to consider is age. When women in their late thirties and forties enter perimenopause, hormonal changes can cause their periods to become shorter or longer.

3. You're Spotting

Spotting or light bleeding at any time of the month other than your period can be quite concerning. If it occurs infrequently and is light, such as a few drops of blood, it is probably nothing to be concerned about and could simply be the result of fluctuating hormone levels.

However, if it is severe or occurs on a regular basis, notify your healthcare provider. Hormonal birth control, fibroids, or an infection could all be factors. Spotting could also indicate cervicitis, uterine or cervical cancer.

4. Your Menstrual Blood is Watery or Grayish

Some color changes are worth noting. When you're pregnant, blood that appears watery may be mixed with vaginal discharge. If your menstrual blood is watery and/or grayish in color, it may indicate an infection, such as a sexually transmitted infection (STI), especially if it has a foul, strong odor.

5. Your Period Disappears

Although PCOS and thyroid issues can make your flow heavier and last longer, the hormonal changes associated with these two conditions can also cause your period to disappear temporarily. Stress can also disrupt ovulation, causing you to miss a period or two.

Don't be surprised if your period stops after you lose weight. Extreme weight loss reduces body fat and estrogen production, resulting in lighter or nonexistent periods.

6. Your Cramps Get Worse

If you experience severe lower back or pelvic pain during your period, there could be something else going on, such as endometriosis. There is no definitive test for endometriosis, but if your doctor suspects it, they can prescribe birth control pills or other medications that can provide relief.