Menstrual Product Options to Meet Every Woman’s Needs

Did you know that heavy periods can affect up to 25% of all women? However, only a portion of those women will be aware that what they’re experiencing isn’t normal. It can be difficult to gauge what’s normal and what’s not from discussion alone.

It’s important to talk to other women about your period and contact your doctor if you think there could be a problem. Knowing what is a normal period will help you to take care of your overall health. So, what is considered a normal period flow?

Common Features of a Period

For most young girls, their period will start between the age of ten and sixteen. When periods start they’re often not regular and it can take up to three years for them to develop a pattern. Averagely, a menstrual cycle lasts 28 days with a period lasting between five and seven days.

However, a woman’s cycle could be anything between twenty-one and forty days, and having irregular cycles could mean that number changes frequently. Day one of a cycle is the first day of bleeding so it’s important to take note of this so you can track your cycles.

The Volume of Your Period

It’s not easy to estimate the volume of your period but by doing so, you can work out if your period flow is considered normal. Light tampons hold up to 3ml of fluid while super tampons can hold up to 12ml. A daytime sanitary pad will hold up to 5ml of fluid whereas a nighttime pad can hold up to 15ml.

The average amount of blood expelled during the course of a period is between 5ml and 80ml which is akin to up to 6 tablespoons. If you find yourself soaking through tampons or pads every two hours, you’re likely experiencing heavy bleeding. This can be an indication of a health problem, like fibroids, PCOS, or endometriosis. 

Using Birth Control

Using hormonal birth control could affect the flow of your period and your period length. When you use options like the pill or patch control, you will usually bleed during your ‘no hormone’ days. However, this isn’t like a regular period.

This is called withdrawal bleeding and it is caused by the decline reproductive of hormones in your body. While using this type of birth control, your endometrial lining will not develop in the same way it would without it. The endometrial lining is often thinner while using hormonal birth control which means users often experience lighter periods and some skip periods altogether.

Similarly, using the shot, the implant, or the hormonal IUD can result in lighter and shorter periods. However, using the copper IUD often has the opposite effect. Because this method is non-hormonal, some women find themselves with heavier and longer-lasting periods.

Spotting 

It’s important to track any spotting you experience during your period and at other times. Spotting can occur as the lead-up to your period but for some women, it can occur at other points during the cycle. Some women regularly experience spotting around the time of ovulation, also known as ovulation bleeding.

Other women may experience spotting due to their birth control choice. Spotting is also common during the first few weeks of pregnancy. However, spotting can indicate a health issue that should be addressed by a medical professional. 

For example, spotting can be an indication of an infection that needs immediate attention or a condition that needs addressing.

Clotting

Passing clots during your period is completely normal, especially in the first two days when your period is at its heaviest. It’s also normal to pass clots while bleeding after giving birth. There are two things to look for when you’re considering if your clotting is normal.

Firstly, most clots are relatively small so if you're passing large clots you should discuss it with your doctor. Secondly, the frequency of your clotting is important. If your passing clots frequently throughout the whole of your period or in other parts of your cycle, this is also something to raise with your doctor.

Talk About It

Although talking about periods can still be somewhat of a taboo subject, don’t be afraid to ask questions. Without making comparisons or talking to medical professionals it would be difficult to pinpoint if there’s a problem. The quicker you discover more about your period and your body, the more confident you will be at managing it.

When you know what to expect from the flow of your period, you can learn what works for you. There are tons of products and resources that can help you feel in more control over your body at every point during your cycle.

Manage Your Period

Your period doesn’t have to be a nasty surprise every month. In fact, at Flo Box, we want to make it the exact opposite. We offer a wide range of products to suit your needs, from tampons to menstrual discs, and care kits. We also offer subscription boxes so you never have to find yourself empty-handed when you need our products the most.

Take a browse through our boxes and make sure your period is as pleasant as you can make it.

What’s Your Normal Period Flow?

Figuring out your normal period flow can make all the difference to your preparation. Consider spending a few months tracking your cycle to find out what you can expect from your periods. Once you know what you need, choose your subscription box at Flo Box and we’ll make sure it’s delivered to you on time for when you need it.

If you have any questions about our products, feel free to contact us for more information.