What to Do If Your Period Gives You a Scare.

You have an unusual discharge:

Vaginal discharge is usually a perfectly normal thing.  Normal vaginal discharge is your body’s way of keeping your vagina healthy.  The amount and thickness of your normal discharge can change throughout your cycle.  For instance, it’s not uncommon to experience heavier discharge right before you ovulate.   This type of colorless, odorless discharge is par for the course, and a Kotex Lightdays® Liners can keep you feeling fresh and dry any day of the month.

However, an unusual discharge could signal an infection or another medical concern.  If traces in your panties are signaling that something might not be right, talk to your doctor.    Things to watch for with vaginal discharge include:

• Odor (especially an unpleasant odor);
• Change in color or texture (yellowish or greenish or clumpy in texture like cottage cheese);
• Change in color that’s not associated with your period.

You have heavy flow:

Women lose about 6-8 ounces over the course of an average period. Your rate of flow might be different than someone else’s.  Often, a heavier flow happens the first day or two of a period. For some women, a heavy flow is simply their “normal”. 

Products like Kotex® Maxi Overnight Pads were designed with heavy flow nights (and days) in mind.    They’ve got the shape and absorbency you need, where you need it, whenever you need it.  It’s perfectly fine to use nighttime pads 24/7 to help you feel secure and protected during heavier flow days.    

If your flow seems unusually heavy or lingers on, you should check with your doctor.   Things to watch for with heavy flow include:

• Soaking through your pad or tampon every hour or so;
• Not making it through the night without changing your pad;
• Menstruating longer than seven days.

You get cramps:

Your period happens because your body is releasing the lining of your uterus every month that you don’t get pregnant.  And for some women, this perfectly normal monthly process can cause perfectly awful cramps!  Those cramps you feel are a result of the muscles of the uterus contracting and squeezing the lining out.

Cramps can vary in intensity, from woman to woman and even from cycle to cycle.  If you get cramps, there are some things you can try for relief, such as: 

• Do some mild exercises like stretching. Get your cramp-prevention routine in right before you think your cramps might hit. The idea is to get the blood flowing in your pelvis area—so an exercise like air cycling with your legs up in the air is the type of thing you want to do for warding off cramps.
• Warmth is often helpful, so soak in a hot tub or try a heating pad on your stomach or lower back.
• Massage can ease your pain so find a willing tummy rubber!   If nothing else, you get the pampered treatment you so deserve!
• And of course, over-the-counter pain-relievers can do wonders for those who suffer from monthly cramps.

If your cramps are prolonged or double-up extreme, talk to your health-care professional about it. Cramps can also be a symptom of a more serious condition like Endometriosis.

You get PMS:

PMS (premenstrual syndrome) can trigger some unsettling symptoms for up to two weeks prior to your period. If misery truly does love company, there’s good news on the PMS front.  There are an estimated 40 million suffers of PMS.  And there are over 150 symptoms attributed to the affliction. 

Some symptoms are physical, like monthly bloating or headaches.  Other symptoms are more emotional like irritability or anxiety (to put it nicely!).   

The first step in managing your PMS is learning about your symptoms.  If you think you might be one of the 40 million sufferers, commit to logging your symptoms for the next few months.  Keep a PMS journal that tracks your moods, aches, cramps and other symptoms—right down to the last chocolate bar craving.  Pay close attention to what your symptoms are and when they happen.

Knowledge is power!  Once you start tracking it, you might find that simple changes make a noticeable difference each month.   Here are some things you can try to help manage PMS:

• Cut back on caffeine.  Skip that triple shot, skinny latte this time of the month and see if you don’t feel slightly less tense and irritable.   Then save that extra $3 for your massage fund!
• Keep to a regular schedule of meals, bedtime and exercise.
• Get your cardio in. Try to get up to 30 minutes, 4 to 6 times a week.
• Watch what you eat and drink.  Try to eat less sugar and fat. Get more fiber—think complex carbs like whole wheat toast instead of white.  Avoid the alcohol.  And reduce your salt intake to help minimize bloating and fluid retention.
• Get your zzzzz’s.  Make sure you get plenty of sleep when it’s that time of the month.  Try to get about 8 hours a night.
• Whenever you can, try to schedule stressful events for the week after your period.   

But missing a period for reasons other than pregnancy can be common—it’s called amenorrhea.  Typically, it’s a hormonal thing that’s triggered by diet, or stress or some other type of overexertion.   And if it persists for more than a few months, you should check with your doctor. 

Missing your period can be cause for concern (or celebration!).  So be sure you talk with your doctor if your period goes MIA.

Your tampon gets stuck:

Strange as it sounds, it happens! Maybe it’s a case of forgetfulness—whatever the reason, if you find yourself in this slightly embarrassing predicament, for health reasons you do need to take measures to get it out in short order. Wearing a tampon for a prolonged period of time can lead to more serious complications like toxic shock syndrome.

Whether it’s a matter of the tampon being lodged too high or simply not being able to locate the string, do your best to remove it with your fingers. Wash your hands thoroughly before and after. Don’t panic. A tampon can’t get lost inside of you. If even your best efforts (and contortions!) do not bring results, put your pride aside and see your doctor.