How to Know If Your Period Cramps Are Normal

SELFCares Newsletter, June 13th, 2018 SELFCares About... Periods [Here's Why Your Poop Can Be So Freaking Weird On Your Period]( If you are unable to see the message below, [click here to view.]( [SELF Cares]( [Woman checking fitness watch outside] [underwear] This week, we're talking about... Periods Just once, I'd love to see a commercial for period products that shows someone bleeding through their pants (red blood—none of that weird blue liquid), feeling too bloated for 97 percent of their wardrobe, and writhing on the floor in the fetal position until the pain goes away. Because that's reality for a lot of people who get periods, and maybe talking about it will make it a little less miserable to experience every month. Period symptoms run the gamut, so basically, your mileage may vary. Maybe your periods are pretty uneventful, in which case, that's awesome. But for me, periods used to mean seven days of pain, bloating, pimples, exhaustion, and a decent amount of blood. Fortunately hormonal birth control has kept that mostly under control for the last decade—as it does for a lot of people. But there are other period sufferers who can't go that route—whether due to cost, accessibility, religious beliefs, medical history, or experiences with side effects. It's outrageous that we don't have other options out there for a condition that affects half the population, during roughly a quarter of the month. Who's in charge here? I was lucky to grow up in a house with five women—there were tampons in every drawer and always someone to talk to when I had a period question. I didn't realize how lucky I was until I started working in women's magazines several years later, opening reader mail, and hearing from young women all over the world who had so many questions about their periods. It's a topic I'll never get tired of writing about, because it's a topic we'll always have questions about. The more we talk openly about periods, the faster we'll know when something is a little off (like irregular bleeding, periods that last longer than usual, or severe menstrual pain), and the sooner we're able to identify health conditions like endometriosis, PCOS, uterine fibroids, or infertility. So, I encourage you to talk about your periods this month—whether it's with a friend, a family member, a medical provider, or with us (email your period questions to health@self.com and you might see your question answered in an upcoming article). Because sometimes, a period can feel like an angry kangaroo is kicking you in the uterus all day long—and you would definitely talk about that. [Casey Gueren @caseygueren, Health Director]( [man lying on a couch]( [Getting a Period Made Me Feel Like Less of a Man—Even Though I Knew I Was]( Kenny Jones knew he was meant to be a boy at 14. At 15, he started menstruating. In this essay, he explores what it's like getting your period at a trans man, and why it's time for open, inclusive conversations about normal bodily functions. [Read more]( Advertisement [advertisement]( [Powered by LiveIntent]( [AdChoices]( [woman sleeping in bed]( [Can I Really Not Sleep With a Tampon In During My Period?]( This is a question I've gotten a lot as a health editor, and I always get the same answer from the gynecologists I interview. Check out what they have to say. [Get the answer]( [womansitting on a toilet]( [Here's Why Your Poop Can Be So Freaking Weird on Your Period]( Seriously, though, can we talk about this? Why aren't people talking about this? This is a thing and there are actually a few things that can cause it. [Find out]( [advertisement]( [Powered by LiveIntent]( [AdChoices]( [acne cleaners]( [9 Over-the-Counter Acne Cleansers Dermatologists Recommend]( Every kind of acne is the worst, but pimples that pop up with your period are just rude. If you have acne-prone skin, check out these products recommended by board-certified dermatologists. [Shop All Our Picks]( [tampon with googly eyes]( [This Is When You Should Call Your Doctor After a Missed Period]( As much as we all hate periods, when they don't show up, sometimes you miss them... and then promptly freak out. Here's how to know when it's time to call in a professional. [Get the answer]( [advertisement]( [Powered by LiveIntent]( [AdChoices]( [How to Know If Your Period Cramps Are Normal]( This year was the first year of my life that a medical provider ever asked me about my cramps and talked to me about endometriosis, a painful condition marked by debilitating pelvic pain that often coincides with periods. And guys, I've been bleeding monthly for over a decade. If you're not sure if your pain is normal, read this and talk to your doctor. [Learn more]( [woman holding her stomach]( Sharing Is Caring! Forward this newsletter to your friends! Got this from a friend? 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