When something’s not right with your menstrual cycle
There are plenty of women who could attest to the pain and inconvenience that is getting a period every month, but a normal menstrual cycle—or lack thereof—can also be an important gauge on your health and tip you off when something is going awry. Be on the lookout for these period problems—they could be red flags you need to bring to your ob-gyn. Learn the 19 answers to embarrassing questions you want to ask your gyno.
Your periods were regular each month and then became irregular
The characteristics of a menstrual cycle vary from woman to woman, but the average menstrual cycle typically lasts 25-30 days, with a period lasting three to seven days. If you’ve noticed a change in your usual menstrual schedule or your cycle is longer than 35 days or shorter than 21 days, talk to your gynecologist about what underlying issues could be behind the shift. Health conditions like PCOS, thyroid problems, or other issues could be responsible for period problems like cycle length irregularity. An irregular period is one of the many thyroid symptoms that you need to watch out for.