Awkward period bleed question!!

[Anon1846]

Hi all!

This is a topic I really dont like speaking if but I'm in need of some advise!

Is it normal to not have a constant flow when on your cycle? I can have a while without bleeding and then all of a sudden I get a labour like contraction with a sudden large flow consisting of large clots. I am usually on for up to 2 weeks of this and get multiple of these throughout the day. Is this normal for females or could this be caused by my endometriosis?

Thanks in advance!

[luthien]

I think there's a few things you're taking about in one question!

First is a menstruation (period / bleeding) should normally be between 3 to 5 days average. So if yours is different that could be due to your endometriosis.

Second a normal cycle should be between 25 to 35 days, this is from the start of one period to the start of the next, with ovulation being about the middle. If yours is longer / shorter / variable it could also be your endometriosis.

Third the heaviness of flow does vary throughout the day and depends on hormones, gravity / sitting / standing / empty stomach / sleep. During your period your uterus is always losing blood at a constant rate however it's kind of like a leaky sponge so sometimes the uterus has to squeeze some out - this is what some women feel as "contractions" or "spasms". It can be followed by a large amount of blood. When blood flows out of our bodies it usually clots (like on cuts) quite quickly but the cervix and vagina produce an anti clotting agent which during normal flow stops the blood clotting so it comes out a bit like water. However if flow is too fast (heavy / gravity when standing) the vagina and cervix can't keep up so the blood still comes out clotted.

I had the above issue and still do when using pads, but since using a menstrual cup - when out and about as I'm still getting used to it, I don't have that nor does it looked clotted when changing the cup. Sorry if too much information. So I know it's not odd its just a faster flow, the cup slows it down.

Also consider our pelvic muscles naturally contract to keep everything up - urine / faeces / mucus / sperm so naturally periods too. That's why when you sneeze or cough on your period stuff comes out - I know it's horrible!

Definitely go see your endometriosis specialist or GP, even with the above your periods do not sound normal so you need someone to take a look, they could do some hormone tests - put you on hormones. Have you been diagnosed with endometriosis? If so then you should have an endometriosis specialist you can make an appointment to see and discuss. If not then you'll need to be referred to be diagnosed - which is a laparoscopy - the formal way to diagnose it.

Happy to help with any questions x

[Anon1846 in reply to luthien]

Thank you for the help! The lengths of my cycles I know are bad, I could bleed for 2 weeks and then a week after a week or 2 I can be back bleeding. In currently awaiting an appointment with a gynecologists but my gp has diagnosed unofficially endometriosis including on my bladder and bowel.

At currently I use tampons (which is becoming more and more difficult) but have considered getting a cup. For me I can be wearing a tampon and nothing is on it unless I get this contraction, with my cycle it seems all or nothing with no inbetween and I've never quite understood if this was normal