{"id":16360,"date":"2024-11-15T10:04:10","date_gmt":"2024-11-15T10:04:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ourdorset.org.uk\/women\/?page_id=16360"},"modified":"2026-02-07T11:15:30","modified_gmt":"2026-02-07T11:15:30","slug":"periods","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/ourdorset.org.uk\/women\/periods\/","title":{"rendered":"Periods"},"content":{"rendered":"

Your period is a part of the menstrual cycle which is the process your body goes through each month as it gets ready for the possibility of pregnancy. It usually lasts between 21-35 days (most commonly around 28 days).<\/span><\/p>\n

Regular periods are the best indicator that your reproductive system is working as it should. It\u2019s useful to know what\u2019s \u2018normal\u2019 for you, so that you are more likely to notice if something doesn\u2019t seem right.<\/span><\/p>\n

Scroll down for more information or:<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div>
Learn about periods on Wellbeing of Women<\/span><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div>
Find local services<\/span><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

What would you like to know?<\/h2><\/div><\/div><\/div>
About periods<\/span><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div>
Problems with periods <\/span><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div>
Local services<\/span><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

About periods<\/h1><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

Your period is the part of the menstrual cycle when the shed lining of the uterus passes through your vagina, and comes out with blood you bleed from your vagina. This happens when an egg released from your ovary has not been fertilised. For most people, periods happen every 28 days or so.<\/p>\n

Regular periods are the best indicator that your reproductive system is working as it should. It\u2019s useful to know what’s ‘normal\u2019 for you, so that you are more likely to notice if something doesn’t seem right.<\/p>\n<\/div>

<\/i>Find a trusted period tracker app in the Dorset ORCHA app library<\/span><\/a><\/div>
<\/div><\/div><\/div>
The menstrual cycle<\/span><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div>
Starting your period<\/span><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div>
Period products<\/span><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div>
LGBTQ+<\/span><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div>
How to live well<\/span><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

The menstrual cycle<\/h2><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

Changes in your hormones during the menstrual cycle control how fertile you are, meaning <\/span>you are more l<\/span>ikely to get pregnant at certain times during your cycle<\/span>. These hormone changes can also cause your mood and energy levels to fluctuate over the course of your cycle. <\/span>The amount of discharge your vagina produces can also vary depending on where you are in your cycle<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

<\/i>Periods and fertility – NHS<\/span><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div>
<\/i>Discharge – Brook<\/span><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div>
<\/div>

Find out more about the four phases of the menstrual cycle and how they might affect you.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>

<\/i>Phases of the menstrual cycle – Brook<\/span><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div>
<\/div>

Tracking your menstrual cycle will help you know which phase of your cycle you\u2019re in and when you can expect your next period to start. Period tracking apps can help with this.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>

<\/i>Find a trusted period tracker app in the Dorset ORCHA app library<\/span><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

Starting your period<\/h2><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

Getting your first period might feel a bit daunting but there are lots of things you can do to make them easier.<\/p>\n<\/div>

<\/div>
<\/i>Top tips for managing periods as a teenager \u2013 Wellbeing of Women<\/span><\/a><\/div>
<\/div>
<\/i>Starting periods \u2013 NHS UK<\/span><\/a><\/div>
<\/div>
<\/i>Periods \u2013 Childline<\/span><\/a><\/div>
<\/div><\/div><\/div>