May 15 2024 12 mins
5 Period Red Flags You Shouldn’t Ignore | PCOS and Menstrual Health
Today, we're diving deep into the top 5 period red flags you should never ignore, especially if you have PCOS. Period problems might be common, but that doesn't mean they're normal or something you should just live with. Understanding why these issues occur and how to address them can make a huge difference in your menstrual health.
🔴 Red Flag #1: Missing Periods Missing periods, also known as amenorrhea, is a common issue with PCOS. If you go more than 35 days between periods or have less than 10 periods a year, it’s often due to lack of ovulation, called an anovulatory cycle. High insulin and androgen levels are usually the culprits, preventing your ovaries from ovulating. While birth control can help shed the uterine lining, reversing insulin resistance and reducing androgens naturally through nutrition, supplements and healthy habits are my method of choice!
🔴 Red Flag #2: Heavy Periods Heavy periods, or menorrhagia, affect 20-25% of women with PCOS. If you're soaking through more than 16 regular tampons per cycle or bleeding for more than seven days, you might be experiencing heavy periods. This often results from too much estrogen and not enough progesterone, or conditions like hypothyroidism. It's essential to get this checked by a doctor as other causes like polyps or fibroids can also lead to heavy bleeding.
🔴 Red Flag #3: Prolonged Bleeding Prolonged bleeding can significantly impact your life, often leading to fatigue and stress. This is typically due to a lack of ovulation and an imbalance between estrogen and progesterone, causing your uterine lining to shed continuously. This is a major quality of life issue and can be managed with the right hormonal balance and medical support.
🔴 Red Flag #4: Severe PMS Symptoms Severe PMS, including pain, cramps, digestive issues, migraines, and mood swings, can indicate hormonal imbalances. If these symptoms are debilitating, it's a sign that your menstrual cycle needs attention. Balancing your hormones can help alleviate these symptoms, leading to a healthier, symptom-free period.
🔴 Red Flag #5: Spotting Between Periods Spotting between periods can be a sign of low progesterone levels. This sporadic bleeding occurs when estrogen levels build up the uterine lining, but without enough progesterone to maintain it, the lining sheds prematurely. Ensuring adequate progesterone production can help eliminate spotting and maintain a regular cycle.
🌟 Take Control of Your Cycle Over the next 100 days, focus on three key areas to regulate your cycle: blood sugar control, reducing inflammation, and efficient estrogen detoxification. These steps are essential for managing PCOS and achieving a healthy menstrual cycle.
👩⚕️ Join the Period Return Plan If you need guidance on this journey, join the waitlist for my Period Return Plan. This comprehensive program includes recipes, meal plans, and step-by-step support to help you regulate your cycle naturally in 90 days or less. Visit www.dafnachazin.com/waitlist to learn more and get notified when the doors open.
Let's Recap the Five Red Flags:
1. Missing Periods
2. Heavy Periods
3. Prolonged Bleeding
4. Severe PMS Symptoms
5. Spotting Between Periods
I'd love to hear your thoughts on today's video. If you're struggling with any of these period issues or have questions, reach out in the comments below or on Instagram at [@PCOS.nutritionist.dafna](http://instagram.com/PCOS.nutritionist.dafna).