4 “Weird” Period Issues That Are Totally Normal
By Guest Writer – Korin Miller
Periods are inherently kind of weird. After all, if you bled for five to seven days in any other situation, it would be cause for serious panic.
But there are some things that can happen during your period that are definitely freaky. How do you know whether it’s a normal occurrence or time to call your doctor? We got Nancy Herta, M.D., an ob-gyn at Michigan State University, to weigh in. According to Dr. Herta, you shouldn’t freak out if you notice these weird—but totally normal—issues during
You Have a Huge Blood Clot
Sure, it’s freaky when a massive clot lands in your toilet but Dr. Herta says it’s not uncommon. “Often blood will collect in your vagina and form a clot,” Dr. Herta says. “It’s really normal.” That’s why you may notice clots more after you stretch it between tampon changes, she explains.
Your Period Suddenly Stops
This can happen for a number of reasons, but Dr. Herta says it may be due to the fact that you didn’t ovulate that cycle which can happen on occasion. “When that happens, your period will be heavier or lighter than usual,” she says. It’s not cause for concern: Dr. Herta says it’s “completely normal.”
You Get a Gush of Blood When You Stand Up
Gross? Yes. Normal? Yep. “If you’ve been lying down or sitting for a long period of time, blood will collect in your vagina,” Dr. Herta explains. “When you get up, that pool of blood will come out.”
It’s a Little Smelly Down There
Sure, it’s not the best part of having your period, but sometimes a funky odor can develop. Luckily, you can do something about it—try changing your tampon or pad more often. “Any time you have old blood that just sits there, it will start to break down and smell,” Dr. Herta explains.
Of course, some weird period issues are actually a sign that something’s off. Dr. Herta recommends talking to your doctor if your cycles are really irregular, meaning they have more than a 10-day variation, or if you’re in serious pain each month during your period. Also, if you bleed heavily and feel lightheaded, dizzy, or nauseous, you should speak up—it could be a sign that you’re anemic during your cycle.
But Dr. Herta stresses that every woman’s period is different, and there are variations within that. “Everybody has a different range of ‘normal,’” she says. If you notice something that’s outside of that range, it doesn’t hurt to flag it to your doctor.
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