Your body can give you lots of physical and emotional signs that your period is about to start. These include period cramps, painful breasts, backache, headaches, bloating, mood swings and food cravings. Together these are known as PMS (premenstrual syndrome).

There’s lots you can do at home for painful menses. As well as everyday painkillers, try placing a heat pad or covered hot water bottle on your pelvic area – or have a warm bath or shower. Gentle exercise like walking or swimming can help with the physical pain and take your mind off it too. 

Just as all women experience different symptoms, the length of your menstrual cycle can vary. On average, it’s about 28 days but can be between 24 and 38 days. What’s most important is that you monitor what’s normal and regular for you and get advice if you notice anything unusual about your menstruation.

Heavy menstrual bleeding is usually defined as losing 80ml or more in each period. If need to change your sanitary products every hour, your periods last more than 8 days or your heavy flow is affecting your quality of life, come and see one of our healthcare professionals.

There are lots of reasons why your periods might stop, which is why it’s important to seek advice. You might be pregnant if you’re sexually active but other reasons include:

• being underweight
• stress
• taking the contraceptive pill
• the menopause
• conditions that cause hormone imbalance, such as polycystic ovary syndrome
• some medications and illnesses