4 reasons to see your GP about your periods
Your menstrual cycle is an important indicator of your overall health, yet many women might overlook irregularities, attributing them to stress or lifestyle changes.
However, changes to your normal period cycle or extreme period pain can sometimes require medical attention to provide quality of life. That’s why it’s important to consult your GP about any abnormalities, such as bleeding between periods, periods stopping entirely, or if you’re regularly experiencing a heavy, painful period.
Read on for more details on when to see your GP about your periods and ensure your menstrual health is in check.
What's a normal period cycle?
As everyone experiences periods differently, it can be difficult to pin down exactly what a normal period cycle looks like. Even asking people how long their period cycle lasts can get you many different answers.
Instead, it’s important to understand what your normal period cycle looks like. For example, do you start your period at the same time every month or does it vary over the course of the year? Does your period always last three days or does it change every month? Are you taking any contraceptives that might impact your normal period cycle?
If you’re a little unsure what your normal period cycle looks like, you can start keeping track of your regularities in a calendar, either manually or by using a period tracking app on your phone.
To keep track of your normal period cycle, make note of the following:
When your period starts and when it ends.
Whether you experience light or heavy bleeding.
Whether you experience mild or extreme period pain.
Whether you notice any significant changes to your mood or behaviour.
By recording your normal period cycle, you can better understand whether or not you need to see a GP or clinician.
What are the most common period symptoms?
While keeping track of your normal period cycle is great for spotting any irregularities, there are still some painful or uncomfortable symptoms that you’ll most likely contend with.
For example, experiencing pain when on your period is very common. That’s because, to get rid of the blood and tissue that lines your uterus, your body produces ‘prostaglandins’, a hormone-like chemical that triggers contractions to push out the lining. Those contractions are what causes the pain when on your period.
You may also experience symptoms in the weeks before your period. This is called PMS – or premenstrual syndrome – and can include the following:
Mood swings.
Headaches.
Spotty skin.
Fatigue – or trouble sleeping.
Feeling upset, anxious, or irritable.
Some people also experience PMDD (premenstrual dysphoric disorder), which is a very severe form of PMS. Essentially, it causes similar emotional and physical symptoms, but the effects are more draining. For example, the typical pains when on your period become a more extreme period pain, which actually disrupts your day-to-day routine. Other examples of the more severe symptoms of PMDD include:
Depression or feelings of hopelessness.
Thoughts of suicide.
No interest in usual activities.
Unexplained weight gain.
Dizziness or fainting.
In any case, the symptoms of both PMS and PMDD can be very painful and distressing. That’s why it’s important to seek support from a clinician or a mental health specialist, if you feel those symptoms are disrupting your daily life. To help manage uncomfortable symptoms while you’re waiting for your appointment, you may wish to do some gentle exercise, take over the counter pain relief or use heat therapy such as a warm bath or hot water bottle.
When do I need to go to a GP for period problems?
1. My period has stopped
From when your periods begin (and you settle into your normal period cycle) as a young female until you reach the menopause, you’ll experience menstrual cycles. These cycles typically last between 24 to 38 days, although different contraception, pregnancy or miscarriage may cause some irregularity.
However, if your period has stopped for more than three months in a row, you might need to see your GP.
But first, it’s important to rule out some potential causes. For example, if you’re under 45 years old, you’ve had unprotected sex in recent months, and your period has stopped suddenly, then a pregnancy test is advised. There are also some common non-pregnancy reasons for why your period has stopped, including:
Sudden weight loss.
Over-exercising.
Stress.
Ovary conditions, such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
Going to the GP or a primary care clinician when your period has stopped can rule out some potential causes and help you better understand the reasons why.
It’s important to note that Some types of contraception can impact your periods by either totally stopping your bleeding or causing nuisance spotting. Discuss with your clinician about what type of contraception you’re on and how this would affect your periods.
2. I’m experiencing extreme period pain and/or heavy bleeding
While experiencing some pain when on your period can be normal, a particularly heavy or painful period could indicate a wider issue. For example, very heavy bleeding or lower back and pelvic pain during menstruation could be a sign of fibroids or endometriosis.
Fibroids are non-cancerous growths that develop in or around the womb that typically develop when oestrogen levels are at their highest (which is typically when you’re in the middle of your cycle). They often do not cause any symptoms on their own and, if they are, a GP may prescribe medicine to either treat the symptoms or shrink the growths.
Endometriosis is another potential cause of extreme period pain. This is when tissue, similar to the lining of the womb, grows in other places, such as your ovaries, fallopian tubes, inside your tummy, or in and around your bladder or bowels. And while the tissue in your womb leaves your body every month when you have your period, endometriosis tissue cannot leave your body in the same way. This causes inflammation and the extreme period pain you might be experiencing.
As such, if you are regularly experiencing heavy or painful periods that are becoming disruptive, it’s a good idea to book an appointment with your GP.
3. I bleed between periods or after sex
While bleeding between periods is common in the first three months of starting hormonal contraception (such as the pill), it’s important that you don’t ignore this symptom.
For example, spotting after periods could be a sign of an infection, fibroids, polyps, or abnormalities in the cervix. Bleeding between periods can also be a result of cervical erosion, also known as cervical ectropion, which is typically nothing to worry about. This is when cells from inside the cervical canal spread to the outer surface of the cervix, replacing the tough, protective cells, causing sensitivity, spotting after periods, and increased vaginal discharge.
In rare cases, bleeding between periods or bleeding after sex could be caused by a gynaecological cancer, such as ovarian cancer. That’s why it’s important to see a clinician for spotting between periods – or you have blood-stained or offensive discharge – to find the cause, even if it’s just to rule out the more serious conditions.
4. I’m bleeding after menopause or while taking HRT
Understandably, it can be quite concerning when you notice bleeding after the menopause, especially when you thought that phase of your life was complete. That’s why it’s important to see your GP right away if you are spotting or bleeding after the menopause, so you can get to the bottom of the cause.
Mr Abhishek Gupta, consultant gynaecologist at the Benenden Hospital, stresses the importance of seeing your doctor urgently if you notice bleeding after menopause. He says: “Post-menopausal bleeding must not be ignored. In one in 10 cases, a treatable cause is found – and we need to be sure there is no womb cancer.”
If you’ve been prescribed cyclical hormone-replacement therapy (HRT) for menopause symptoms, a regular, period-type withdrawal bleed is normal. In this case, you should consult your GP should you experience bleeding or spotting at unexpected times.
However, those taking continuous combined HRT, shouldn’t have a bleed at all. As such, you should make a GP appointment if you notice any persistent spotting or period-like bleeding. Speak to your clinician if you are unsure which type of HRT you are using.
How can Benenden Health help with period problems?
If you’re concerned about extreme period pain or bleeding between periods, you can make an appointment to see your GP. Alternatively, if you are a Benenden Health member, you can call our helpline for medical advice from a qualified UK-based GP, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Benenden Health provides affordable private healthcare for everyone, giving you access to services such as our 24/7 GP Helpline and Mental Health Helpline straight away. Once you’ve been a member for six months you can request access to diagnostic consultations and tests.
You'll also have access to a wealth of health and wellbeing articles, videos and advice on a range of health issues.
To find out more about how to take care of your body at all stages of your life, head over to our women’s health hub.
Medically reviewed by Cheryl Lythgoe in July 2024.
