What are the 4 types of periods?

Great question! Periods aren’t the same for every woman — and even for the same person, they can vary month to month. Doctors and women’s health experts often describe 4 common types of menstrual periods based on flow, length, and symptoms.

🔴 1. Regular Periods

  • Come every 21–35 days like clockwork.

  • Flow lasts 3–7 days.

  • Symptoms (cramps, bloating, mood changes) are present but manageable.
    👉 This is considered the “healthy” or normal period pattern.

🔴 2. Heavy Periods (Menorrhagia)

  • Bleeding is very heavy (soaking pads/tampons every 1–2 hours).

  • Periods may last longer than 7 days.

  • May cause fatigue, dizziness, or iron-deficiency anemia.
    👉 Can be due to hormonal imbalance, fibroids, thyroid issues, or other conditions.

🔴 3. Light or Irregular Periods (Oligomenorrhea)

  • Very light flow or spotting instead of full bleeding.

  • Cycles may be longer than 35 days apart or inconsistent.

  • Can be linked to stress, PCOS, excessive exercise, or weight changes.

🔴 4. Painful Periods (Dysmenorrhea)

  • Severe cramps, back pain, nausea, or headaches.

  • Flow may be normal or heavy, but pain interferes with daily life.

  • Sometimes linked to endometriosis, fibroids, or pelvic inflammatory disease.

✅ Summary:
The 4 types of periods are:

  1. Regular

  2. Heavy

  3. Light/Irregular

  4. Painful

Every woman’s cycle is unique, but if your periods are consistently very heavy, irregular, or painful, it’s a good idea to consult a gynecologist.

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