Menstruation is the process by which a woman discharges blood and the lining of the uterus from her vagina at regular intervals of about a month from adolescence till menopause, except during pregnancy.

It is an absolutely normal phenomenon in females but occasionally can become abnormal due to a variety of reasons.

The following scenarios are indicators of abnormal periods and should be investigated.

Your periods are abnormal if

• It occurs less than 21 days apart

• It occurs more than 35 days apart

• It lasts longer than 7days

• It is heavier or lighter than usual

• It is accompanied by severe pain, nausea and vomiting

• You bleed or spot in between your periods

• You bleed or spot after sex

• You bleed or spot after menopause

• You have never seen your period and you are above 16 years

• You have not seen your period for more than 3 months and you are not pregnant or breastfeeding

If you experience any of these symptoms of abnormal menstruation, please see a doctor ASAP!