How many days does your period last?

You have probably heard many women say that some have a period that lasts 5 days and others barely 3. Today we will tell you about the factors that influence how long your period lasts.

What is menstruation and why does it occur?

Menstruation, period, or vaginal bleeding, is part of the menstrual cycle, a natural process that every woman goes through during her adult life. The menstrual cycle is a process of changes that occur in the body on a monthly basis and that have to do with the preparation for pregnancy. Each month, one of the ovaries releases an egg (ovulation). If this egg is not fertilized, the endometrium, the layer that covers the inside of the uterus, is shed and expelled through the vagina in the form of blood, generating menstruation. If you want to know more about the menstrual cycle, visit our article about it. The first menstruation is called menarche, and it appears when the female reproductive system is fully formed and functional. This occurs during adolescence, normally around the age of 13. From the age of 50 onwards, menopause occurs, which is when periods disappear.

Usual duration of menstruation and menstrual cycle

The menstrual cycle is the time between the first day of your period and the day before your next period. Menstrual bleeding occurs at the beginning of the menstrual cycle and can occur every 21 to 35 days, and last between 2 and 7 days. As you can see, there is no exact science to this. Your menstrual cycle can be regular, meaning it can last the same amount of time each month, or irregular. Your period can last more or less days, be light or heavy, painful or painless, and it can still be considered normal. The important thing is that you know what is normal for you.

How do I know if my period is irregular?

With so much variation in the numbers within the 'normal' range, it's only natural that you might wonder whether your periods are regular or not. It's very common to have irregular menstrual cycles and periods at some point in your life, especially during the first few years after you first get your period, but if your period is irregular it's recommended that you consult a specialist. Here are some examples of what an irregular period might look like:

• Your period is so heavy that you have to change your protection method every hour.
• Your period lasts much shorter than usual or longer than 8 days.
• You are over 16 years old and you still haven't had your period.
• You have very intense pain before or during your period.
• You have unusual bleeding between periods.
• You get your period more often than every 21 days, or less often than every 45 days.

Also note if something changes suddenly within your 'regularity', you don't get your period, it comes early or late, you feel different symptoms than usual... that could be a sign that something is happening. It is very important that you keep some kind of track of your period, to check that everything is okay. If you have such irregular periods that you don't know when your period will come and you are worried about staining, we advise you to try our menstrual panties , the light flow ones are ideal so that menstruation doesn't catch you by surprise. See menstrual panties

Causes of irregular menstruation.

There are several reasons that can affect your period, it is important to know what they are to find out what is happening to you and how to solve it.

• First periods: During the first years of menstruation, it is common for periods to be irregular, but they will become regular over time.
• Menopause : During premenopause and menopause, periods become more irregular until they disappear.
• Pregnancy: If you miss your period for a month, a probable cause is pregnancy.
• Breastfeeding : After childbirth, during breastfeeding, hormonal changes cause irregular menstruation.
• Medications : Taking certain medications or contraceptives can cause menstrual irregularities.
• Stress : Stress, anxiety or emotional changes can generate the production of hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol, which interfere with the functioning of the menstrual cycle.
• Excessive physical activity: The military in moderation is great during menstruation, but intense physical activity, which is common in athletes, can cause changes or even suspension of the menstrual cycle.
• Eating disorders: Some eating disorders such as anorexia or bulimia can also cause alterations in the menstrual cycle, as well as obesity or sudden changes in weight.
• Illness : There are some diseases such as polycystic ovary syndrome or endometriosis that can affect the menstrual cycle.

Tips for managing long and irregular periods

As you have already seen, there is no exact science on how many days a period lasts, since the regularity of your period can vary throughout your life and can be due to a multitude of causes. In more extreme cases, seek the help of a health professional and follow their advice. There are medications that can help you regularize your period, such as hormonal contraceptives (always under medical supervision). For the pain and discomfort of menstruation, CBD oil is a very good solution, take a look at our FreeU Calm CBD oil. To get through those days in the most comfortable, safe and natural way, menstrual panties , menstrual cups or reusable pads will help you forget about disposable sanitary products and the chemicals they contain. If you are interested, here you can discover 5 natural and effective remedies to relieve menstrual pain.