Here's what actually happens during your period:
Essentially, your whole menstrual cycle is designed to get you pregnant, says Streicher. When ovulation occurs in the middle of your cycle, an egg is released from the ovaries and moves to the fallopian tubes, where it could meet with sperm and get fertilized. Meanwhile, your body revs up production of the hormone progesterone, which thickens the lining of the uterus so that it'll be ready for a fertilized egg to implant. But if no pregnancy occurs this month, those progesterone levels drop and that thickened uterine lining sloughs off. That's your period!
Dark or brown period blood doesn't mean you're dying.
People tend to fixate on any little change in blood color, says Streicher, but you shouldn't. "Bright red generally means more active bleeding. If it's brown it means it's been sitting around for a while .
A missing period isn't always a sign of pregnancy... but it usually is.
The most common cause of a missing period (if you're of childbearing age) is pregnancy, says Streicher. But that's obviously not the only reason it can be MIA. It could be stress, weight changes, extreme diet or exercise changes, or a whole host of health conditions (we'll get to those in a bit). If you're worried about it, check with your doctor.
The best way to beat period cramps is by taking an OTC pain reliever BEFORE they start.
Don't be a hero. Cramps are caused by something called prostaglandins, which are released during your period. But taking an anti-inflammatory like Motrin or ibuprofen can actually block the production of more prostaglandins. "The mistake everyone makes is that they think they should use as little medication as possible," says Streicher. "If you start to take medication the day before you get your period or the minute you see that first drop of blood, not only will it dramatically decrease cramping, but it will also decrease bleeding."
If your cramps are severe, hormonal birth control can also keep prostaglandins in check. But if you've tried all that and you're still curled up in the fetal position every month, see your doctor to make sure it's not something else.
PMS is seriously no joke, and it's all your hormones' fault.
Whether you get monthly moodiness, acne, migraines, diarrhea, exhaustion, anxiety, or even clumsiness, it might be related to the hormonal changes that occur during your period, says Minkin. Of course, if these things also occur during other times of the month, it might not be all your period's fault, so it's worth talking to a doctor if any of these are new or they seriously interfere with your daily life.
Just because you get a period every month, that doesn't necessarily mean you're ovulating.
Crazy, right? Getting a monthly period is actually not a guarantee of your fertility or ovulation, says Streicher. For instance, you can still have a period even if you didn't release an egg that month, which is the case for anyone on hormonal birth control, but it can also be the case for other people with irregular cycles. If you're having trouble getting pregnant, your doctor can help you determine if you're actually ovulating.
A little ~odor~ during or after your period is also normal, but there's no need for scented tampons.
"The inside of the vagina should not smell, and all of those chemicals and perfumes and stuff can be irritating," says Streicher. That said, it's not uncommon for you to have some odor with your period, since your vaginal pH levels can get thrown out of whack. Just make sure you're cleaning your genitals safely and you should be fine.
Spotting between periods is usually no big deal.
Some people bleed a little bit during ovulation (around the middle of your cycle), but it can also happen for hormonal reasons or when you're getting used to a new birth control method. It's generally nothing to worry about, but if it happens all the time, tell your doctor.
Your period can start ~changing~ as early as your late 30s.
The average age to go through menopause is 51, but it's not uncommon to notice some perimenopausal changes in your late 30s or early 40s, says Minkin.
Getting your period while pregnant is kind of possible.
OK, it's not a real period, but about a third of women report bleeding in the first few months of their pregnancy, says Minkin. So it can look an awful lot like a period and it can definitely confuse people.
But if you're soaking through a pad or tampon more than every two hours, that might be an issue.
Super-heavy bleeding isn't fun, and it might be a sign that you have a hormonal irregularity, infection or polyp, says Minkin. So if you're running through pads and tampons like crazy, call your gyno.
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