What Is Considered Abnormal Period Bleeding?

Getting your period is a sign that you’re healthy and that all is functioning the way it should with your reproductive system. However, variations in your cycle can feel disconcerting. Is your menstruation abnormal? More often than not, you have nothing to worry about. Education is key. To put your mind at ease, here we explain about normal and abnormal menstruation and normal and abnormal period bleeding and how to tell the difference.

Typically, your menstrual cycle will last 28 days, meaning you’ll get your period about once a month. The length of your menstrual cycle is highly individual and can vary a lot from your friends, however, so anywhere between 21 and 35 days is considered normal. Abnormal menstruation is menstruation that occurs outside this window – in other words, you get your period too often or not often enough.

Menstruation usually lasts between 2 to 7 days. That’s considered normal. If you bleed for longer than a week, this is considered abnormal period bleeding. Likewise, if your period is particularly heavy – as in soak through a pad once an hour heavy – this is also a sign of abnormal period bleeding.

Light bleeding right before your period is known as spotting. It’s very common and is no big deal. Spotting is pink or brown blood that can show up on the toilet tissue after wiping, or on your knickers. Think enough pink or brown blood to leave a stain on light-coloured underpants, but not enough for a tampon. It can feel disconcerting if you don’t know what it is. However, spotting is not the same as abnormal period bleeding.

It’s important to differentiate between spotting and abnormal bleeding. If you are bleeding enough to soak through a pair of knickers and it’s not time for your period, it’s also time to consult a doctor.

If you’re spotting, wear a panty liner like ALWAYS Dailies. They work like sanitary towels, but are way thinner and much more flexible, making them great for days when a pad is overkill, but you still need some protection. In fact, they’re so thin and flexible, you’ll barely know they’re there.

Abnormal menstrual bleeding can cause some concern, especially if you don’t know what is causing it. Abnormal bleeding is the result of a disruption to the hormones that control your reproductive cycle, including when and how long you get your period. Understanding some of the potential reasons for these hormonal disruptions can help you get to the bottom of it.

1. Your body weight is too low
2. Your body weight is too high
3. You are very stressed out
4. Medical conditions that disrupt your hormone cycle. Talk to your doctor

1. You get your period infrequently
2. You’ve missed your period for three months in a row
3. Extreme or severe pain during or leading up to your period
4. Spotting in between periods

Here are some signs of abnormal menstruation that require attention:

1. Your period lasts for more than 7 days
2. You bleed through a menstrual pad or tampon every hour for more than two hours straight
3. You notice sudden gushes in your flow
4. You bleed for a week or longer
5. You need to wake up in the middle of the night to change your pad

If you experience any of these abnormal period symptoms, it could mean you have menorrhagia. Consult your doctor for advice.

TAMPAX Pearl Compak tampons come in a whole range of sizes and absorbencies. They super small, so they’re easy for taking with your anywhere. Plus, TAMPAX Pearl use patented LeakGuard technology for up 100% leakage protection so you stay dry and confident on your period.