Menstrual period is different for every woman. Some women may feel no cramps or pains during their menstrual period, while others may experience extreme pains that may affect their daily activities. Some period may be very light, while others may very heavy. Some women may bleed for just two days, while others may bleed for 7 days.

Women with regular periods have nothing to worry about. However, if your period is irregular or if you experience any changes to your monthly cycle, consult your doctor immediately.

Let’s look at six symptoms of menstrual cycle you should watch out for.

Intense cramps

Menstrual cramps are caused by uterine contractions that push out your uterine lining, mild cramps are considered normal. Normally, a woman begins to feel menstrual cramps a day or two before her actual flow. It can last for about 2 to 4 days.

READ ALSO: Eight Possible Causes Of A Late Or Missed Menstrual Period

Mild cramps are not issues for concern. However, it may be an issue when cramps get extremely unbearable, a condition called dysmenorrhea.

Apart from menstruation, other possible causes of painful cramps include:

endometriosis
fibroid
pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)
an IUD
adenomyosis
sexually transmitted diseases (STDs)
stress

Breast pain

Breast pain or tenderness may occur during your periods due to fluctuating levels of hormone. In some cases, the pain may radiate right up into your armpit where there is some breast tissue called the Tail of Spence. If you experience breast pain that is outside your monthly cycle, consult your doctor.

READ ALSO: 7 Natural Ways to Enlarge Your Breasts

Skipped periods

Some women have more regular periods than others, but get a period about once every 28 days. If your periods unexpectedly stops. Pregnancy is one of the main reason why you may have skipped periods.

If pregnancy isn’t the case, something else may be the cause of your skipped period, such as:

Intense exercise: The levels of hormones that control menstrual period may be affected when you engage in intense or extreme workouts. Also, sudden excess loss of body fat can make your period to stop.
Weight gain. Adding on lots of pound can also offset your hormone balance and menstrual cycle.
Continuous birth control pills. The nonstop use of certain birth control pills can cause you to have fewer or no periods.
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). This causes hormone imbalance, which eventually leads to irregular periods and the growth of cysts in ovaries.
Extreme stress. Being constantly under stress can offset a regular menstrual cycle.
Perimenopause. This is the period before the actual menopause which occurs in late 40s or early 50s. During this period the levels of estrogen decline and your periods can fluctuate.

Heavy bleeding

Menstrual bleeding volume varies from woman to woman. Heavy menstrual bleeding, also called menorrhagia, occurs when one or two pads/tampons get soaked in an hour. Other symptoms may include shortness of breath or extreme fatigue.

Causes of heavy menstrual bleeding include:

A hormone imbalance. An underactive thyroid gland (hypothyroidism) or PCOS can affect the production of your hormone. Hormonal changes can thicken your uterine lining, leading to heavy periods.
Fibroids or polyps. These can also cause heavy bleeding. They are benign growths in the uterus.
Endometriosis. This occurs when tissues that normally lines the uterus begins to grow in other parts of your pelvis.
Adenomyosis. This condition occurs when tissue that normally lines the uterus grows into the uterine wall.
Intrauterine device (IUD). The use of this birth control method can lead to heavy bleeding, particularly during the first year.
Bleeding disorders. Inherited conditions like Von Willebrand disease can cause heavy menstrual bleeding.
Pregnancy complications. A heavy flow could be a sign of a miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy.
Cancer. Uterine or cervical cancer can also lead to heavy bleeding.

READ ALSO: Possible Causes of Heavy Menstrual Period

Abnormally short or long periods

Generally, periods can last from two to seven days. Some women have typical short periods, which may not be an issue for concern. Using hormonal birth control can also shorten your cycle. Going into menopause can unsettle your normal cycles. However, if your periods suddenly get much shorter, consult your doctor.

Bleeding between periods

Several factors may be responsible for bleeding or spotting in between periods. A change in birth control can cause you to bleed in between periods. Other conditions that may lead to this condition includes:

Pregnancy
PCOS
Ectopic pregnancy or miscarriage
STDs like chlamydia or gonorrhea
Injury to the vagina
Uterine polyps or fibroids
Perimenopause
Cervical cancer, ovarian cancer, or uterine cancer

Source: https://healthdiary365.com/6-menstrual-period-symptoms-never-to-ignore/