6 Alarming Signs That Your Periods Are Abnormal

Most women consider periods as an unpleasant time that can interfere with certain plans and activities. However, while mild pain and discomfort during menstruation can be considered normal, you may experience strange and even undesirable symptoms that can make you stain in bed. You should understand that if your periods had changed suddenly without any obvious cause, it may be a manifestation of a certain disease or infection. That’s why we gathered these six alarming signs that your periods are abnormal.

1. Heavy bleeding
If you have to change your pad or tampon every few hours, it means that your menstrual bleeding is extremely heavy. You should understand that there are certain health issues that can cause abnormal bleeding and other unpleasant symptoms. The most common of them are uterine fibroid, endometriosis, adenomyosis, and polyps.

For example, women with uterine fibroid usually have increased blood flow during periods. Fibroids grow in the uterus interfere with normal endometrium shed during periods. As a result, bleeding can be much heavier then it should be. That’s why it is better to ask your gynecologist about the best treatment for fibroids.

2. Severe cramps
Despite the fact that many women experience severe menstrual cramps, they don’t think that it can be an alarming symptom. However, unbearable pain during periods (dysmenorrhea) that can interfere with normal activity can be a sign of adenomyosis and other uterine conditions.

Adenomyosis is a condition that occurs when the inner lining of the uterus (endometrium) grows inside the uterine walls. This condition causes a lot of unpleasant symptoms like heavy periods, severe cramping, bloating, and pelvic pressure. You should know that it is essential to treat adenomyosis since it can lead to infertility.

3. Irregular periods
If your periods suddenly become irregular, it may be a sign of a hormonal imbalance or conditions that are caused by hormonal fluctuations. That’s why you should visit the gynecologist to evaluate your condition.

Timely and proper treatment can ease your symptoms and prevent further complications. However, if you use hormonal contraception, it can also change your menstrual cycle due to additional hormones.

4. Missed periods
Many women with missed periods think that pregnancy can be the only cause of their condition. However, there are a lot of diseases that can also lead to missed periods. For example, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) can make yo0ur periods disappear.

PCOS is caused by a hormonal imbalance when a woman has an increased level of male hormones. They lead to the development of small cysts on the ovaries. That’s why women with PCOS may experience fertility issues since the ovulation can’t occur. As a result, periods can also disappear or become short and light.

5. Blood lumps
Small blood lumps are a normal part of periods since they develop due to blood coagulation and the shedding of the endometrium. However, severe clotting during periods can become an unpleasant sign of several conditions.

In many cases, blood lumps occur because of endometriosis, adenomyosis, and hormonal imbalance. It is essential to visit a doctor with such issues since they can cause a lot of unpleasant symptoms.

6. Strange blood odor
If you have noticed that your menstrual blood starts to smell strange, it can be a sign of bacterial vaginosis. However, it can also occur if you don’t maintain proper intimate hygiene or forget to change a tampon.

Bacterial vaginosis occurs because of the bacteria overgrowth in your vagina. In most cases, it causes a fishy vaginal smell, itching, and abnormal discharges. You should understand that treatment for bacterial vaginosis is essential since it can increase your risk of preterm delivery, STIs, and PID.