Periods can be as varied as the weather.
For some women, they come and go with little concern,
but for other women, their period can sometimes
make it tricky to leave the house without worrying.
If you find your bleeding lasts longer than seven
to eight days, need to change your pad or tampon every hour
or less, have blood clots that are larger
than a 50 cent coin, have period pain that won't go away
after taking pain killers, or feel excessively tired
or dizzy, you could be experiencing what's known
as heavy menstrual bleeding.
You're not alone.
A quarter of all women in Australia
experience the same symptoms.
It's particularly common in teenagers and women over 30.
There are many reasons why heavy menstrual bleeding occurs.
About half of women don't have an obvious cause
for their heavy periods.
If you suffer some of these symptoms,
it's important to contact your health professional for help.
As heavy menstrual bleeding can affect your iron levels,
treatments could include an iron supplement
or infusion or medication to reduce the bleeding.
Periods shouldn't interfere with your life.
By speaking to a trusted health professional,
you'll be able to understand your symptoms
and how you can manage them a little more easily.
For more on periods, please go to jeanhailes.org.au.