All You Need To Know

• What happens to your body during a period?

  Each month, one of your ovaries will release an egg which travels to your womb. The lining of your uterus thickens and if the egg is fertilised by sperm, it will stick to this lining and grow. This is how you get pregnant. 
  
  If the egg is not fertilised, the lining of the uterus breaks down and passes out and through your vagina as blood. The amount of blood is actually quite small, between 20-90ml or 1-5 tablespoons. But some people can bleed more heavily than others. 
  
  In the movies, periods can be shown as bleeding through clothing, but it's important not to worry about this as it's rare. In fact, there are lots of different types of sanitary products available, so with time you can choose which suits you and your lifestyle most.

  Easy read guide - periods

• What period product should I use?

  During your period you'll need to use a product to soak up your menstrual blood. Whichever product you use, it's important to change it regularly during the day to keep clean and reduce the risk of leaking. 
  
  Here are the main types of period product available

  Tampons: these are tubes of cotton wool that are designed to put into your vagina to soak up the blood before it leaves your body. It's not possible to lose one inside your body, but it's important to change them regularly every 3-6 hours and never leave one in for longer than 8 hours. 
  
  Sanitary pads or towels: these are strips of absorbent padding which have a sticky side that attaches to your pants. These pads come in different thicknesses to suit your flow. 
  
  Pantyliners: these are much thinner than sanitary pads and are used as an extra protective layer for your pants, rather than absorbing much blood. 
  
  Menstrual cups: they may sound strange, but menstrual cups are made from flexible silicone which you can place into your vagina to catch the blood. They can be emptied into the toilet, then washed and reused.
  
  Period underwear: this underwear can soak up as much blood as other types of product and hold it in an absorbent layer to prevent leaks. They can then be washed and reused. 
  
  Period products like tampons and pads should always be wrapped up and thrown away in a bin and never flushed down the toilet.

• Where can I find period products?

  Period products are available to buy from supermarkets, pharmacies and local shops, plus you can find them online too. 
  
  If you are struggling to afford period products, you can get a free bag of them from all libraries and mobile libraries in Norfolk through the Tricky Period scheme.
  
  More about the tricky period scheme

• Are there any other symptoms?

  As well as losing blood each month, there are some other changes that can happen to your body called pre menstrual syndrome (PMS).

  You won't always have PMS, but most people with a uterus can feel some of these symptoms at some point in their life.
  
  Some of the symptoms are:

  • Mood swings - your feelings changing quickly
  • Feeling upset, worried or irritable
  • Tiredness or trouble sleeping
  • Bloating or tummy pain
  • Sore breasts
  • Headaches
  • Spotty skin
  • Greasy hair
  • Changes in appetite

  It's important to remember that PMS is very common and doesn't tend to last for long. If you are worried about any symptoms you have with your period, it's best to speak to your GP for advice and support. 

  More about PMS

• How often should I have my period?

  Periods tend to happen around every 28 days for most people, but it's common for periods to be more or less frequent than this, ranging from every 23 days to every 35 days.
  
  When you begin your period it can sometimes take some time for it to become regular. Speak to your GP for advice if your periods become irregular or if your normal pattern of periods changes.

• My periods are irregular, is there anything wrong?

  Irregular periods are not usually a sign of anything being wrong and can be pretty common when you first start your period. The most common causes of irregular periods include:

  • Puberty - when you start your periods
  • Pregnancy - a missed period is often an early sign of pregnancy
  • Contraception - taking the pill, contraceptive injection or having an IUS (commonly called the coil) fitted
  • Weight change - losing or gaining weight
  • Stress - Anxiety and Stressful periods of life
  • Exercise - Exercising too much 

  Occasionally, irregular periods can be a sign of other conditions, so if you are worried it's worth booking an appointment to see your GP. Doctors see young people about their periods all the time, so it's nothing to feel worried about. If you aren't sure if your periods are irregular, you can track them using a diary or an app. These dates can be super useful to your doctor too.
  
  You might also want to get some advice from a GP if:

  • Your periods last longer than 7 days
  • You have irregular periods with other symptoms like weight gain, tiredness or excess hair growth
  • You haven't started you period by the age of 15. Your doctor might suggest a quick blood test to check your hormone levels. 

  Find more info about irregular periods here

• What if I've missed my period?

  Pregnancy is the most common cause of a missed period - but there could be another reason.

  If you’ve had unprotected sex, the condom split, or you missed a pill, take a pregnancy test. 
  
  If you aren't pregnant, there are lots of reasons that you may have missed your period. Here are some practical tips to help:

  Stop worrying: it’s important to stay positive because missing your period is often caused by stress and worry, and it certainly doesn’t mean you won’t get it back again!

  See your doctor: if you’ve not had a period for two months, make an appointment with your doctor. Ongoing stress can cause your period to stop for six months or more.

  Record your cycle: if you’re having irregular periods, try to keep a record of your cycle, or at least try to remember the last one you had.

  Speak to your mum/sister: if there’s a history of any similar problems in your family it might help you work out what’s wrong.

• I think I'm pregnant. What now?

  If you find out you are pregnant, don't panic. It can be very overwhelming but plenty of help and support is available to help you decide what to do next.

  None of your choices may feel exactly right – just what’s best at the moment, and that's normal. Unfortunately, you’ll need to act quickly if you want to keep all your options open. So you may not have a lot of time to think about things. Having said that, before you do anything, we’d recommend talking it over with some people you trust and researching your options.

  Sexwise is a website that gives good advice to help you think through all those options.

  Support for unplanned pregnancy

  If you are looking for local advice on your pregnancy and the journey to parenthood, Just One Norfolk has lots of information and support available locally.

  Support for parenthood