Why you need to know your normal

Periods and menstrual cycles vary a lot. We talk about a normal period lasting for five days on average and happening every 21-35 days. But the truth is, it’s not just about whether your period is normal compared to others.

What’s more important is:

• Is your period normal for you – or has there been a change?

• Is your period a problem for you?

If your period is a problem for you, you have a period problem. Some period problems are symptoms of physical problems.

If there’s been a change with your period, or if your period is often late, or often comes too soon – then you may have a physical problem that you need help with.

You should make an appointment to see us or your usual doctor if you:

• Have no period

• Bleed heavily

• Have a lot of pain

• Bleed very little

• Bleed between your periods

• Bleed after sex

• Have noticed changes to your period

• Your period lasts more than seven days

• Normally don’t get a period* and then you do bleed.

*This could be because you’re continuous pill taking, taking testosterone, or because you’re post-menopausal.

Most vaginal discharges are completely normal. They keep your vagina moist and comfortable. Some people don’t have enough vaginal discharge – this can feel uncomfortable, especially when you have sex.

Normal vaginal discharges are clear or white. When it dries on your underwear, vaginal discharge looks yellow, and has a slight smell. Healthy vaginal discharge can change from day to day and throughout your menstrual cycle.

Knowing what your vaginal discharge looks and smells like when you're healthy makes it easier for you notice when something's wrong.

You should make an appointment to see us or your usual doctor if your vaginal discharge:

• Itches or is uncomfortable

• Smells bad or very different

• Changes colour

It’s common for people’s weight and body shape to change over their lifetime – like when your body goes through changes like puberty or menopause.

If you’ve changed your exercise routine or what you eat, then it’s normal for your weight to change too.

But if your weight has changed and you’re not sure why, it could be a sign of another problem.

You should make an appointment to see your usual doctor if you:

• Have lost or gained weight and you don’t know why

• Have lost or gained weight suddenly and you don’t know why

• Have lost or gained a lot of weight and you don’t know why

If your period has changed as well, or you have polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS) – you can make an appointment to see us.

It’s normal to feel tired from time to time. But if you’re feeling tired a lot of the time and you don’t know why, make an appointment to see your usual doctor.

Pain during sex isn’t normal. Making sure you and your sexual partner are comfortable, relaxed, and feel safe gives you the best chance of having sex that feels good.

If sex is painful you, it could be a sign of a medical condition. Make an appointment with us or your usual doctor to find out what’s going on.

When you’re having penis-in-vagina sex for the first time, it’s normal to feel some pain.

Sometimes sex can also feel uncomfortable or a little painful if your vagina is dry.

Foreplay – where you and your partner touch or talk to each other in a way that feels good before having sex – can help make your vagina wetter. Lots of people find that water-based lube helps too – and it makes it less likely condoms will break.

Anal sex can be uncomfortable to start with – but it shouldn’t be painful. It’s a good idea to use lube and condoms to make it more comfortable and protect from STIs.

Find out more about having sex for the first time by watching the following video.

It’s normal to precum and cum. Other discharge from your penis could be a symptom of a medical condition.

• Precum is fluid that comes out of your penis when you’re sexually excited. There are normally only a few drops

• Cum is when a sticky liquid (cum or semen) comes out of your penis – normally when you orgasm

You should make an appointment to see us or your usual doctor if you:

• Have smelly discharge from your penis

• Have a rash, blisters, sores around your genitals or anus

• Notice a change in the colour of your skin of your penis or foreskin

• Have bleeding from your penis or under your foreskin

• Have a growth, lump, or sore around your genitals or anus

• Have itchy genitals or anus

• Feel like you need to wee (mimi) a lot

• Find it difficult or painful to mimi

• Find it difficult to pull back your foreskin