What Is Your Menstrual Cycle Telling You?

The menstrual cycle is regarded not only as an indicator of reproductive health but also as the "fifth vital sign" reflecting the body's general state of health. As a pharmacist, I have put together for you the complaints I hear most often from my clients and the scientific facts behind these symptoms.

Here is what your body is trying to tell you through your cycle:

1. Light Bleeding (Hypomenorrhoea): Hormonal Balance or Stress?

In a normal period, total blood loss is between 30 and 80 ml. If you only see a few drops on your pad and this lasts less than two days, the following should be considered:

• Hormonal Status: A low oestrogen level may mean the uterine lining does not thicken enough.
• Lifestyle: Excessive stress, heavy exercise or sudden weight loss may point to the start of hypothalamic amenorrhoea.
• Drug Interactions: Birth control pills can naturally reduce bleeding by thinning the uterine lining.

2. Heavy Bleeding (Menorrhagia): Watch Out for Iron Deficiency

If you have to change your pad every hour or your bleeding lasts longer than 7 days, this is defined as "menorrhagia".

• Structural Causes: Fibroids or polyps are usually the physical causes behind heavy bleeding.
• Clotting Factors: Persistent heavy bleeding leads to iron-deficiency anaemia, triggering tiredness and shortness of breath. Scientific data show that 20% of women with menorrhagia may have an underlying clotting disorder.

3. Severe Pain (Dysmenorrhoea): The Role of Prostaglandins

Period pain (cramps) is linked to an increase in prostaglandin, the hormone that makes the uterus contract.

• Primary Dysmenorrhoea: Usually normal; but if the pain is bad enough to stop daily life, prostaglandin synthesis may be very high.
• Secondary Dysmenorrhoea: If the pain has increased over the years or continues outside your period, it's critical to consult a specialist about endometriosis (chocolate cysts).

4. Headache and Tiredness: Menstrual Migraine

Severe headaches before or during the cycle are usually related to a sudden drop in oestrogen.

• The Serotonin Connection: When oestrogen falls, serotonin levels in the brain are also affected, which both lowers the pain threshold and causes tiredness.
• Magnesium Deficiency: The literature shows that low magnesium levels are directly linked to period fatigue and migraine.

5. Bloating and Water Retention: The Effect of Progesterone

The progesterone that rises after ovulation can slow the digestive system and make the body retain water (oedema).

• Sodium Balance: In this phase, the kidneys tend to retain more sodium. Scientifically, vitamin B6 and calcium supplements have been observed to reduce fluid retention in this phase.

In Conclusion

Clear changes in your cycle are signals your body is sending you. If these symptoms are lowering your quality of life, you can consult your pharmacist for information about suitable food supplements (magnesium, B6, Vitex, etc.) and be sure to book an appointment with a gynaecologist.