Periods

A period is the part of your menstrual cycle when you bleed from your vagina for a few days.

This usually happens about every 28 days. But it's common for periods to be more or less frequent than this. The gap between your periods can range from 21 to 35 days.

What to expect during your period

Periods are different for each person. Your period can last from 2 to 7 days. But it will usually last for about 5 days. The bleeding is usually heaviest in the first 2 days.

When your period is at its heaviest, the blood will be red. On lighter days, it may be pink, brown or black.

Learn about period problems.

PMS (premenstrual syndrome)

Changes in your body's hormone levels before your period can cause physical and emotional changes.

This is known as PMS (premenstrual syndrome) or PMT (premenstrual tension).

Not all women who have periods get PMS.

There are many possible symptoms of PMS, but typical symptoms include:

• feeling bloated
• breast tenderness
• mood swings
• feeling irritable
• spotty skin or greasy hair
• loss of interest in sex

These symptoms usually improve when your period starts and disappear a few days afterwards.

A small number of women may experience more severe symptoms of PMS known as premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD). If you think you may have PMDD, talk to your GP.

Sanitary products

Sanitary products soak up or collect the blood released during your period.

Sanitary pads

Sanitary pads are strips of padding that have a sticky side you attach to your underwear to hold them in place. One side of the pad is made of an absorbent material that soaks up the blood.

Pads come in many sizes, so you can choose one to suit how heavy or light your period is.

Panty liners are a smaller and thinner type of sanitary pad. You can use them on days when your period is very light.

Tampons

Tampons are small tubes of cotton wool that you insert into your vagina. They soak up the blood before it comes out of your body.

There are 2 types of tampons:

• tampons with an applicator
• tampons without an applicator - you use your fingers to insert the tampon

In both types, there's a string at one end of the tampon, which you pull to remove it.

Tampons come with instructions that explain how to use them. If the tampon is inserted correctly, you should not feel it inside you. If you can feel it or it hurts, it might not be in properly.

A tampon cannot get stuck or lost inside you. Your vagina holds it in place and it expands inside you as it soaks up the blood.

Menstrual cups

Menstrual cups are an alternative to sanitary pads and tampons. The cup is made from silicone (a rubber-like material) and you put it inside your vagina.

Menstrual cups collect the blood rather than absorb it. You throw away sanitary pads and tampons after use. But you can wash menstrual cups and use them again.

Period underwear

Period underwear are pants made from absorbent fabric. They soak up blood in the same way as sanitary pads, and have a layer to prevent leaks. They're designed to be washed and reused.

Changes in your periods

Your periods can change. For example, they may last longer or get lighter. This does not mean there's a problem, but get any changes checked.

The changes could be caused by an infection or abnormalities in your cervix (the neck of your womb). In rare cases, it could be cervical cancer.

If you miss a period and you've had sex, you could be pregnant. You should take a pregnancy test.

You can:

• take a pregnancy test at home
• go to your GP for a pregnancy test

Stopped or missed periods

Menopause

Your periods will continue until you reach menopause.

Menopause is when a woman stops having periods completely. This usually happens when you are in your late 40s to mid-50s. In Ireland, the average age of menopause is 51.

Your periods may start to become less frequent over a few months or years before they stop. In some cases, they can stop suddenly.

Menopause