What Can your Period Tell About your Health?

Your period reveals a lot of information about your health. If you notice some unusual symptoms, such as pain, irregular flow, or a change of the color of your period, there may be something wrong with your health.

Here are some period symptoms that will help you to identify whether you are dealing with some health problem.

PERIOD PAIN

While experiencing some small amount of pain during your period is a common issue, excessive pain that lasts for days has to be examined by a healthcare professional. There are a few health conditions that are related to your period pain.

DYSMENORRHEA

The occurrence of a painful period that causes abdominal cramps is called dysmenorrhea. This problem is caused by excessive levels of prostaglandin, a hormone that is related to pain and inflammation. Sadly, this is a very common issue that affects half of the female population.

ENDOMETRIOSIS

Another less common condition is endometriosis which causes severe painful cramps that last for over two days. This condition occurs when the uttering lining is appearing outside the uterus, usually in the pelvic area. About 10% of the female population suffers from this condition.

COLOR AND FLOW OF YOUR PERIOD

The color of your period is in close relation to your hormonal health. Dr. Alisa Vitti, a functional nutritionist and holistic health counselor, states that the period colors can be described in three ways:

STRAWBERRY JAM

If your period is light, resembling a strawberry jam, it may be an indication that your levels of estrogen are low. Low estrogen levels are often responsible for having a delayed period with a light flow. Apart from reduced levels of estrogen, a light flow can occur due to a usage of birth control pills.

MASHED FROZEN BLUEBERRIES

Periods that are similar both in color and texture to frozen blueberries can indicate that your levels of estrogen are high. Increased estrogen levels usually cause a heavy period flow.

CRANBERRY JUICE

Red color which resembles a cranberry juice means that you have a healthy hormonal balance. Periods of cranberry juice color usually cannot become too heavy, and they will start and end on time.

SPOTTING

Spotting is irregular or abnormal bleeding which occurs in between your periods. This could mean that you are suffering from some serious health condition, which is why you have to consult a medical professional. Some of the major causes of spotting are:

Stress – Excessive stress is one of the most common culprits for the appearance of spotting.
Infection – Any infection can cause spotting, not only one that is brought by STD.
Hormonal imbalance – Spotting can occur when your levels of estrogen and progesterone are imbalanced. This imbalance is usually caused because of a usage of different birth control methods, thyroid problems, and dysfunctional ovaries.
Cancer – In some rare cases, spotting can appear as a result of cancer of the ovaries, uterus, cervix, and vagina.