5/14/2020 What’s a Normal Menstrual Period?

What Is a Normal Period?

Think about how old you were when you got ARTICLES ON
your first period. Now think about how old you
VAGINAL
BLEEDING
may be when you enter menopause. Your body
and life will change a lot from one to the other,
Your
right? So does your menstrual cycle. Period

When it comes to periods, "normal" covers a lot of

ground. Use the broad range of factors below as a Irregular
guide. And remember: The only true normal is Periods
what's normal for you.
Heavy
Timing Periods
(Menorrhagia)
Every month, your body prepares to get
pregnant. Your ovaries release an egg. Hormones
Between
rise and fall. Periods
This is your menstrual cycle. It starts on the first
day of your last period and ends on the first day Common
of your next period. Though the average cycle is Problems on
28 days long, anything between 21 and 45 days is Your Period

considered normal. That's a 24-day difference.

5 Things
For the first year or two after menstruation About Your
begins, women tend to have longer cycles that Period
don't start at the same time every month. Older
women often have shorter, more consistent
Vaginal
cycles. Bleeding
After Sex

Vaginal
Bleeding
Treatment

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5/14/2020 What’s a Normal Menstrual Period?

If you're on birth control pills or have an IUD, it can change the

timing of your period. Ask your doctor what's normal for your form
of contraception.
How long your period lasts also varies. The time from the first sign
of blood to the last is usually in the 3 to 5 day range. Anything
from 2 days to a week-long period is normal.

Flow
If the egg your ovary releases every month isn't fertilized, the
lining of your uterus sheds through your vagina. This is your
period. The amount of blood that comes out of your body is called
your menstrual flow.
Whether your flow is light, moderate, or heavy, it's all considered
normal.

Symptoms
Some months your breasts may feel tender when you have your
period. Other months you may notice bloating around your
abdomen or mood swings. Other normal menstruation symptoms
include:

Acne
Cramping in the lower abdomen and back
More hunger
Sleep issues

WebMD Medical Reference Reviewed by Traci C. Johnson, MD on February 11, 2019

Sources © 2019 WebMD, LLC. All rights reserved.

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