Menstrual health, the basics

Medically reviewed by Letena Medical Team

ወርሃዊ ጊዜ ጤና፣ መሰረታዊ ነጥቦች
ስለ ወርሃዊ ጊዜ ዑደት መሰረታዊ ነገሮች፣ ብዙ ጊዜ የተለመደ የሆነው ምንድን ነው፣ እና ሀኪም መጠየቅ ሲገባ የሚያሳዩ ቀላል ምልክቶች የያዘ አጭር ማጠቃለያ።

A calm, quick reference. Your period is normal and healthy.

Cycle basics

A cycle is counted from the first day of one period to the first day of the next.
The often-quoted 28 days is an average, not a rule. A normal cycle is usually about 21 to 35 days.
A period usually lasts about 2 to 7 days, often around 5, with the heaviest flow in the first couple of days.
In the first years after periods begin, irregular cycles are common and expected.

Cycle length that shifts a little from month to month.
Mild to moderate cramps in the lower belly around your period.
Feeling more tired, emotional, or bloated in the days before bleeding.
A change in discharge across the month.
An occasional late or early period after stress, travel, illness, or big changes in routine or weight.

Warmth on the lower belly, like a warm water bottle or a warm bath.
Gentle movement and rest, such as a short walk or light stretching.
Water and regular meals.
Common pharmacy painkillers such as paracetamol or ibuprofen, taken as the packet directs. Ask a pharmacist or doctor first if you have another health condition or you're unsure.
Avoid unsafe home remedies. Don't apply ice to stop bleeding or use harsh substances.

Very heavy bleeding, for example soaking through a pad or tampon every one to two hours, needing two products at once, or passing clots larger than about the size of a small coin.
Periods that last longer than 7 days.
Periods that stop for three months or more in a row when pregnancy is not the reason.
Pain that stops daily life, or that painkillers, warmth, and simple measures don't ease.
Bleeding between periods or after sex.
Feeling very tired, dizzy, or short of breath during heavy periods, which can point to low iron.
Any change that feels wrong for your own body.

Your own pattern is your baseline. Tracking your periods helps you notice when something is truly different.

Not sure if what you're feeling is normal? Our medical team can give you a clear answer, free and in private, usually within a few hours. WhatsApp https://wa.me/251908182838, Telegram https://t.me/LetenaEthBot, or https://letena.letena.et/ask/.