In our own voice
What is a period?
A period is the bleeding days of the menstrual cycle. The menstrual cycle happens due to the rise and fall of hormones in your body, and could be seen as a way your body prepares for being pregnant/hapū. Every cycle, the lining of your womb grows. If no pregnancy occurs, the uterus sheds its lining, resulting in a period (ikura/waiwhero/mate mārama).
A medicalised description of a period is the regular discharge of blood and mucosal tissue from the inner lining (endometrium) of the womb (uterus) through the vagina. Other medical terms for a period include: menstrual period, menstruation and menses. Menarche is the medical term for your first period, or your first time menstruating.
There has been and still is taboo associated with periods. Often, this is because of events or narratives in history that have changed and shaped how society thinks of periods. Periods are still taboo for some cultures, and are celebrated worldwide by many others.
How do doctors diagnose abnormal uterine bleeding?
For doctors to diagnose and treat abnormal uterine bleeding, they first have to understand the details or changes of your cycle and periods. Sometimes it is hard to share personal information like this with your doctor.
Some doctors use a classification system that was developed by FIGO (The International Federation of Gynaecology and Obstetrics) to work this out. This is laid out and explained in the PDF below - the information in this may also help you to keep track of your period so you can talk to your doctor about it. You can print this document or write down your answers.