Period symptoms that warrant a visit to your ObGyn
NO two periods are the same; every woman’s time of the month is different. Some women experience no pain or symptoms, while others endure from mild cramps to debilitating pain that has the potential to prevent them from carrying out their daily tasks.
But while the period is often seen as the unwelcome visitor that brings five days of misery, there are some things that shouldn’t be happening during your time of the month.
Obstetrician-gynaecologist (ObGyn) Dr Ryan Halsall said while pain is a common symptom of a monthly period, if it interferes with your daily activities, then it becomes a warning sign that you should get it checked out and treated.
“It may be a case of endometriosis even though a few women have the condition but experience little pain,” Dr Halsall told All Woman.
The ObGyn said other things to watch out for include:
1. An irregular cycle
Dr Halsall said irregular periods could be a sign of underlying medical issues like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), which may affect a woman’s fertility.
2. Inter-menstrual bleeding
The ObGyn said not all bleeding from the vagina is your period. “If you bleed in between periods, it is not your period, so don’t treat it as such. It could be an inflammation, polyps — an overgrowth of the lining of the uterus — a sign of early menopause, fibroids, or even cervical cancer.”
3. Heavy flow
Dr Halsall said a period or its flow is considered heavy if it lasts more than seven days or if sanitary napkins have to be changed more than every three to four hours. “Heavy periods should be evaluated, as the loss of blood can lead to anaemia. It may be a sign of fibroids, PCOS, as well as cancer in older women.”
4. PMS or PMDD
Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is often considered to be normal moodiness that comes as part of the menstrual cycle package, but there’s also premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), which is a severe form of PMS. Dr Halsall said either condition can lead to depression and even suicide.
5. Fatigue/fainting
Dr Halsall said these are signs of anaemia. He said women who experience heavy menstrual periods, for example, are at the greatest risk for anaemia. He said if these symptoms persist, it is important to seek the advice of your ObGyn as people who are anaemic feel tired and worn out, and their overall health begins to suffer. In severe cases, Dr Halsall said anaemic people who do not seek treatment can experience major organ damage including heart failure.
6. Pain
Mild cramps are OK with your period, but Dr Halsall said severe pain that stops you from working, going to school or doing regular daily tasks isn’t OK. “There could be a more serious reason for this pain — that being a condition known as endometriosis. This occurs when the cells (endometrium) that make up the lining of the uterus grow outside of the uterus. These cells grow in large numbers and line both the abdominal and uterine cavities. During the woman’s menstrual cycle these cells are influenced by the hormone production and imbalance. Endometriosis can cause nausea, bloating, diarrhoea, rectal pain, and abdominal cramping,” the ObGyn said. He added that endometriosis is best diagnosed and treated via laparoscopy, and pointed out that in severe, intractable cases, removal of the womb and ovaries may have to be done.
