I never thought I’d be the girl tracking my menstrual pad changes like a math problem. But here I am, 20 years old, a college student juggling classes, work, friends, and what feels like a mini bloodbath every month.
Heavy menstrual bleeding—yeah, it’s real, and honestly, it’s the worst.
The First Time I Realized Something Wasn’t Normal
I was 16 when I started noticing my periods were a lot compared to my friends. While they’d be done in four days, I’d still be leaking through overnight pads on day six. At first, I brushed it off. Everyone’s body is different, right? But it wasn’t just long. It was flowing so heavy. I’d change super absorbent pads every 2–3 hours, and still ruin clothes, bedsheets, and once… even a library chair (yeah, that was a whole thing).
The Embarrassment Factor
What nobody tells you is how isolating it feels. I missed work, school, college classes, internships… you name it. I carried extra underwear and an outfit in my backpack. I even stopped wearing light-colored jeans altogether. Every time I stood up, I’d panic and check my seat. It was annoying and exhausting.
And then there’s the shame. Society makes periods this hush-hush topic, so imagine trying to casually explain why you’re carrying what looks like a diaper bag full of pads and other items.
Talking to a Doctor (Spoiler: It Took Me a While)
It wasn’t until college when a roommate (shoutout to Dr. Vicky 💕) told me that what I was going through wasn’t normal. She helped me schedule an appointment at our student health clinic.
Turns out, I have something called menorrhagia, which is the medical term for abnormally heavy or prolonged periods. It can be caused by all sorts of things: hormones, fibroids, clotting disorders, or sometimes, no underlying cause at all (like mine).
What’s Helped Me
I’m still on my journey, but here’s what’s helped:
Tracking my cycle: I use an app called WomanLog. It helps me stay ahead of the madness.
Menstrual cups: Game-changer. I know they’re not for everyone, but they hold more, hold longer, and give me fewer leaks and accidents.
Iron supplements: Heavy bleeding = low iron = constant fatigue. This helped big time.
Make an appointment with a gynecologist: For real, don’t wait. If something feels off, it usually is.
If You’re Dealing with This Too…
Trust me…You are not alone. I know it’s uncomfortable, tiring, and feels like your body is working against you. But you are so deserving of comfort, health, and peace of flow.
Don’t let anyone tell you “It’s just a period” if your quality of life is constantly being disturbed by your monthly flow. Advocate for yourself! Ask questions! Cry if you need to just DO NOT suffer in silence with abnormal periods.
Let’s talk about it. Drop a comment if you’ve gone through something similar or have questions. I’m not a doctor, but I’m always down to share what’s worked for me ❤️. I can also help you find local resources to help you.