Managing Menstrual & Uterine Bleeding
Throughout your lifetime your experiences of menstrual periods will change. If you experience discomfort related to menstrual or vaginal bleeding, you have options.
Are my bleeding patterns normal?
Everybody experiences bleeding patterns differently. Try to be aware of your own body and routine, so that you know what is normal for you.
Menstrual Bleeding
Menstrual bleeding relates to the reproductive cycle of hormones, ovulation and menses. Menstrual bleeding occurs when ovaries have released an egg (ovum), but conception and implantation has not occurred. A few days later the uterus lining sheds, and the unfertilised egg is passed from the body, with tissue, blood and mucus passing out of the vagina as menstrual bleeding.
Any person who ovulates may be able to experience menstruation. This includes young girls, older women, intersex, queer and trans people. Menstrual bleeding has many alternative names, including ‘period’, ‘bleeding’, ‘rags’ or ‘visitor’.
Uterine Bleeding
Uterine bleeding is when the uterus lining sheds for a reason other than menstruation. There are many reasons why uterine bleeding may occur including, stress, a change in diet, weight gain or loss, medications including contraceptives, an infection, a medical condition such as polycystic ovarian syndrome, or even very serious conditions such as cancer. If you experience uterine bleeding it may or may not look or feel the same as menstrual bleeding. It is important to seek health advice if you experience uterine bleeding to clarify the cause and ensure your health.
Managing Discomfort
There are ways to manage discomfort due to menstrual or uterine bleeding. Hormonal contraceptives can be used to influence regular bleeding patterns, reduce the amount of blood tissue lost during a bleed and reduce cramping and pain. Non-hormonal options can be used to increase overall physical and mental health and to reduce swelling and tension.
| Discomfort | Hormonal Options | Non-Hormonal Options |
| Headaches or migraines | Consider:
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Consider:
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| Cramping, bloating, nausea, vomiting or diarrhoea | Consider:
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Look after yourself:
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| Irregular bleeding | Consider:
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Seek advice and assessment from a health professional. |
| Heavy bleeding | Consider:
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Seek advice and assessment from a health professional. |
| Sexual activities | Consider:
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You can still have sex providing you feel comfortable:
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| Other | The full range of hormonal menstrual management options include:
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Every woman experiences menstruation differently. Use the resources around you:
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How do hormonal options work?
Hormonal contraceptives cause the lining of the uterus to thin and stabilise, resulting in lighter menstrual bleeding and less intense menstrual symptoms such as pain or bloating.
Some hormonal contraceptives also block ovulation, and allow a person to control when the shedding of the lining of the uterus occurs, scheduling the bleeding for a convenient time, or deferring the bleeding indefinitely.
When to ask for advice
It is important to seek medical advice if you are experiencing a change in your regular bleeding patterns. It may involve heavier bleeding, bleeding in between the periods, bleeding during or after sex, increased abdominal pain, or migraines.
Where to get further advice
Make an appointment with a reproductive and sexual health clinic. Clinical staff will undertake a thorough health assessment to understand why you are experiencing discomfort. If you are interested in hormonal options we can discuss your various contraceptives choices. If you want to avoid hormonal options we can discuss alternative methods of menstrual and uterine bleeding management.
