Our periods are linked to several health issues
Between certain ages, periods are by and large an inevitability.
Sometimes painful and unpleasant, they can come with a raft of miserable side-effects: Cramps, mood-swings and skin breakouts, to name a few.
While the majority of women prefer to knuckle down and forget, as much as is humanly possible, that it's happening, periods are worth paying attention to .
In fact, they could be a key indicator of a health issue, Betty explains.
Here's what your period might be trying to tell you.
1. You have problems with your thyroid
Irregular periods can be a result of your thyroid not working properly. This can lead to fatigue, weight gain, depression, high cholesterol, and other symptoms.
Feeling tired? It could be linked to your thyroid
2. You're experiencing issues with your weight
If you’re either under weight or over weight, your balance of hormones may be affected, which can cause irregular periods.
In some cases, particularly where stringent dieting or over-training is a factor in weight loss, it can cause periods to stop altogether.
Your period is therefore a good indicator of whether you are at a healthy weight.
Your period and your weight are often linked
3. You're extremely stressed
Adrenalin, commonly known as the fight or flight hormone, is released during times of extreme stress.
Adrenalin can severely interrupt the body’s hormonal equilibrium to the extent where it can actually prevent conception.
If your periods stop, it could mean you need to take some time out to de-stress and it’s affecting your general health.
Stress plays havoc with our bodies in many ways
4. You're experiencing a hormonal imbalance
Women tend to menstruate every 21 - 35 days.
If you do not have regular periods it could be a sign that your hormones are out of balance which can lead to the symptoms commonly associated with PMT, which can include headaches, mood swings, night sweats, fatigue and weight gain
Our periods can indicate things about our hormones
5. You might be suffering from bone health issues
The natural balance between estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone ensure healthy bone production.
If your periods become irregular, it could be a sign that your bone function is not working at full capacity
Periods can even show us we have bone health issues
6. You may have problems with your reproductive system
If you experience abnormally heavy periods, or menorrhagia, it can be a sign of an issue with your reproductive system.
Mr Narendra Pisal, consultant gynaecologist at London Gynaecology, explains that it can be a sign of uterine fibroids, endometriosis, PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome) or even some forms of cancer.
He says, "it is always a good idea to get things checked out with your GP or gynaecologist if you're unsure.
"Bleeding during an average period is supposed to be around 80ml (less than half a cup), but a lot of women do have more bleeding than this.
"You can call your periods heavy, if you are passing lots of clots or having to constantly use double protection, changing protection more frequently than every four hours or if your periods are making you anaemic.