What should a 'normal' period be like?

[expatinspain]

I was on the pill for many years and always had fairly light periods. When I was a teenager they were quite heavy, I seem to remember bleeding on my bed at night and that sort of thing.

I've been off the pill for a few years now and the first day, night and the following morning are really heavy. Definitely in the last year, they've got a bit heavier during this time. I soak through super tampons sometimes hourly and as soon as I get up the second day I literally flood and the pad can't absorb it. Then for the next three days it's really light. Does this sound normal?

Being on the pill for so long, I don't really know what a normal period should be.

There are rules, like not having to change a certain size pad too often, or filling up too many mooncups. I think hourly for more than 2-3 hours is probably a very unlucky percentile position.

if it's a problem to you, then it's a problem to you. But can take a while to find a way to make it better.

It's not a problem as such, but just wondering if it is normal. It's only the first day
that it's a hassle. I don't ever flood through tampons onto my clothes, just have to be mindful about checking and changing them a lot. The morning of the first day it's really heavy does bother me, as I don't bleed onto the towel at night, it's like it's all inside, so when I stand up it all comes out at once and goes down my leg, on my pyjamas etc. Apart from wearing a tampon at night, I guess there isn't much I can do about that though.

I flood my pads for the first day and half maybe, and then it just gets a lot lighter and is gone within days. My body just likes to get it over with

I empty a full mooncup every 90mins for the first two days. Night time included. I don't sleep. I lose over a litre (measured) of blood in three days. This is normal for me. I have endometriosis. It is horrendous. I have another appointment with the gynaecologist towards the end of the month. I just wish they'd take it all away.
I couldn't even use tampons, I would soak through two super ones (yes I'd insert two at a tone, one after the other) it's got me down. Go to your GP, we shouldn't have to put up with this shit.

Wow lady! That sounds awful. I'm complaining over nothing compared to you.

cookpass That's pretty much what mine is like.

When I was on the pill it was three days of light period. It was heaven.

Expat if you're having trouble coping with it then speak up to your GP. Nobody deserves to go through this. And too many women sit in silence. I hope you find a solution.
Yeah it's crap for me. For the first two days at least I try not to leave the house. I'm starting a new job in a few weeks and I'm dreading it.