I'm 28 years old and have been getting my period every single month since I was 13. You'd think I'd know everything there is to know about periods by now. But no, not at all. Apparently there's a lot more to know aside from how to deal with cramping by popping pain killers. I'm talking stuff your own Ob-Gyn has probably never told you!
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When it comes to periods, most of us are just concerned with having a normal cycle, dealing with pain and not ruining our favorite panties. But what's really go on in that bloody, goo? Well if you can handle it, here are 6 things you might not know about your period!
It's not just blood: There's a reason why your period doesn't look like plain-ol' blood, that's because there's a lot more to it. It also contains a mix of cervical mucus, vaginal fluids and bacteria along with thick endometrial lining. Doesn't that sound lovely?
Not all blood clots are normal: Most women have clots in their menstrual blood. It's pretty normal. They're usually red or even darker in color. But if you have too many blood clots or individual clots that are larger than a quarter, then you might want to talk to your doctor. It could be due to uterine fibroids or endometriosis.
Your flow isn't as heavy as you think: I thought I had the heaviest flow ever until I discovered that the average period releases less than a cup of blood. Meaning you're only releasing a few tablespoons a month. Not too bad, no?
You can get pregnant while on the red: Yes, you can get pregnant on your period. It's just highly unlikely, but still very much possible. So don't skip out on protection!
Your weight matters: Believe it or not, your weight can actually affect your period flow. If you lose too much weight at once it can actually stop your period. Apparently your fat cells contribute to one-third of the estrogen levels in your body. So in other words, without this estrogen there's no period.
It could smell: It's normal for your period to smell a little. Remember it's not just blood flowing out of you, its vaginal fluids, discharge, bacteria and more. With that said, if your period smells like serious funk there may be another problem. Check with your doctor to make sure you don't have a bacterial infection like BV or an STD.
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