Video
Dr Pixie:
This site was inundated, not surprisingly, with questions about periods. A lot of you asked, ‘well, when is it normal to start periods?’ It’s normal to start your periods any time between the age of eight and sixteen, and the average age is twelve.
Lots of you wondered about blood loss during periods—what’s normal? The average blood loss is between five and twelve teaspoons full. So it may seem like a lot, but it actually isn’t.
A lot of you seemed to be concerned about what you can and cannot do when you’re having a period. Can you go swimming, can you have sex? It’s absolutely fine to have sex when you’re having a period, there is no medical reason why you can’t. As regards swimming, in fact a lot of doctors recommend swimming as a way to alleviate period pain, so it’s totally okay to swim when you’re having a period.
Lots of you have questions about what can you do when you’re having a painful period? Very simply, you can go to the pharmacy and buy drugs like paracetamol or ibuprofen over the counter, which work very very well. If you’re having really problem periods, your GP may prescribe a contraceptive pill or other medication that would help the blood loss and the pain.
Doctor Responses: Periods
Doctor Pixie answers your most frequently asked questions about periods such as: When do girls get their periods? How much blood is lost during a period? Can you have sex while on your period?
With thanks to the Baker Street Medical Centre
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Hiya guys i only started my periods 5 months ago but is it normal for a period to be med/heavy and last for up to 2 weeks? pls help :/ x
I am early 30's and have suffered with heavy periods for 20+ yrs and it has taken over my life, like I have to plan holidays around my period, and I can't wear coloured clothing during my period. I can't wear strongest tampons as I leak so need to wear sani towel as well. The towels I wear are the night times ones and need to wear 2 towels (front to back)of pants or I'll be changing clothing. Visited my GP many occassions and they want to put me on pill, but as a high risk DVT this not an option. They hold me it will settle down asfter having my kids, but two kids later no such luck. Any advice from anyone ??/
Hello I'm. Jemma I have just come off my periods and it lasted for about 9 days I had no red blood just brown all the time and the flow was slower could this mean I'm pregnant I also had cramp on my right side. Could u help me please
i have periods problem every 15th day i get periods and after finished 3rd day i get white discharge to much i need help iam i normal
Im 16 and i recently started the pill on my period and i was wonderin when im protected fully and also ive been on a period now for a week is this normal for someone who has just started the pill? i started the pill last week aswell.
hi everyone , I'm 15 and havnt started my period yet and just want to know what age should i go to a gp if I still havnt started? , please answer :)
Hi, I am 52 and started the menopause a long time ago. I hadn't had a period for around 18months but then had one bleed. Is this normal?
Hi I'm 18, I have been bleeding a lot more then I should be and it's since I had my baby 19 months ago and I don't want to go to the doctors because I don't believe they could help me after the messed up my after birth in surgery. Is there any other way I can get this sorted because I'm terrified of doctors x
im almost 15 and i havent had a period in 7 mnths i started them 3 years ago and they have always been 2/3mnths apart but i havent had a period since february i have told my mum but she doesn't think it's anything to worry about but should i
Hi im 16 and i havent started having regular periods yet. I had one when i was about 13 which lasted about 5 days then one this year in may which was very heavy and lasted about 6 days. Im kinda worried what should i do?
