Understanding Your Cycle: What’s Normal and When to Get Help

There is so much about our bodies that we are not taught, and the less we know, the harder it can be to cope with the changes our bodies go through. Around half the human population lives by a cycle, controlled by hormones, that affects how we function and feel at different times of the month. Some are affected more than others, and if we are not taught what to expect or how to work with these changes, they can feel overwhelming.

The message we often receive is that we should aim to be the same every day, but in reality, that is not normal. What is normal is to feel and function differently at different points in our cycle. Sometimes these changes are difficult to manage and can interfere with our quality of life. In these cases, it is completely legitimate to take medication to improve symptoms.

However, there are also amazing aspects of our cycle that we might not want to lose. There are times of the month when libido is naturally higher, and others when we may feel clearer, stronger, and more confident than usual.

Knowledge is power. Understanding what is happening in our bodies can help us navigate these changes with greater ease. That is why we are starting with a simple overview of the menstrual cycle—focusing on the information that many people say they wish they had known earlier.

At The Cyclist, our goal is to help you understand how to live well in your changing body and get the most out of life.

Key Topics to Understand

1. What is a normal cycle, and what is not?

2. Why and how does the menstrual cycle work?

3. When should I seek help?

1. What Is a Normal Cycle, and What Is Not?

A period occurs when the lining of the uterus (endometrium) breaks down and is shed, along with blood. The endometrium’s purpose is to provide a landing pad for a fertilised egg and to support pregnancy.

When Does Menstruation Start?

Most people get their first period between 10 and 16 years old, with the average age being around 12 and a half years.

For the first 18 months to two years, it is very normal to have irregular cycles and even miss periods. This happens because the body takes time to ovulate regularly, and ovulation is what gives a predictable bleeding pattern.

How Long Is a Normal Cycle?

By definition, a menstrual cycle has no true beginning or end, but for medical and scientific purposes, Day 1 is considered the first day of a period.

• Most periods last between 2 and 7 days.

• Most cycles range between 25 and 30 days.

Common Cycle Variations That Are Usually Normal

• Temporary changes or skipped periods – This can happen due to intense exercise, sudden weight loss, high stress, or travel. Your body may pause ovulation if it senses that pregnancy would not be ideal at that time.

• Starting with light spotting before a heavier flow – Some people experience this transition, while others begin with a heavier flow from day one.

• Fluctuations in period heaviness from cycle to cycle – This is normal and often influenced by lifestyle, stress, and hormonal changes.

• Mild discomfort or pain during a period – While some pain is common, severe pain should not be ignored (more on this later).

• Heightened emotions at certain points in the cycle – Hormonal shifts can naturally impact mood.

Signs That You Should Seek Medical Help

1. Heavy bleeding that interferes with daily life.

2. Severe period pain that does not improve with basic pain relief (like ibuprofen or paracetamol).

3. Extreme emotional symptoms that significantly affect your wellbeing, and you can clearly link them to a phase of your cycle.

2. Why and How Does the Menstrual Cycle Work?

The body goes through puberty to prepare for the possibility of pregnancy. This process relies on:

• A functioning hypothalamus and pituitary gland (two small but essential areas in the brain).

• Healthy reproductive organs (uterus, cervix, vagina, and ovaries).

• Good nutrition.

• General good health.

How Hormones Control the Cycle

The brain signals the reproductive organs with hormones, and in return, the reproductive organs send their own hormonal signals back to the brain.

The main hormones involved are:

• Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)

• Luteinising hormone (LH)

• Oestrogen

• Progesterone

These hormones peak and dip at different points in the cycle, affecting the uterus, ovaries, breasts, brain, muscles, nerves, and even the digestive system.

The First Half of the Cycle: Follicular Phase

• Begins with the period – The body sheds the old uterine lining and starts preparing a new one.

• Inflammation and uterine contractions are normal but can cause some discomfort.

• Follicles (tiny cysts in the ovaries) start developing, and one will become dominant and grow into an ovulation cyst.

Ovulation: The Midpoint of the Cycle

• The ovulation cyst bursts, releasing an egg.

• This cyst can grow up to 3–4 cm and releases a small amount of fluid and blood, which can cause mild pain or discomfort.

Many people report feeling energised, confident, and focused in the first half of the cycle, particularly after their period ends. Libido often increases around ovulation.

The Second Half of the Cycle: Luteal Phase

• The body waits to see if pregnancy occurs.

• The leftover ovulation cyst produces progesterone, preparing the uterus for a potential pregnancy.

• If no pregnancy occurs, progesterone drops rapidly, leading to inflammation, cramping, and eventually menstruation.

During this phase, some people experience:

• Mood swings (anxiety, sadness, irritability).

• Bloating and fluid retention.

• Breast tenderness.

• Fatigue or bursts of energy.

3. When Should I Seek Help?

Heavy Periods

See your GP if your bleeding affects your daily life. Signs of excessive bleeding include:

• Losing more than 80 mL of blood per cycle (roughly six tablespoons).

• Passing clots larger than a 50-cent coin.

• Needing to change your pad/tampon every hour.

• Bleeding that lasts longer than eight days.

• Feeling weak, dizzy, or short of breath.

Severe Period Pain

See your GP if pain relief (such as ibuprofen or paracetamol) does not ease your period pain, or if you experience:

• Pelvic pain that fluctuates throughout the cycle.

• Severe period pain that affects school, work, or daily activities.

• Pain when passing urine or having a bowel movement, especially during your period.

• Bleeding from the bowel or bladder during your period.

• Pain during or after sex.

• Difficulty getting pregnant.

• Chronic fatigue.

Final Thoughts: Advocate for Your Health

Most period-related issues are not life-threatening and can be managed with simple medications. However, severe pain or heavy bleeding should not be ignored.

If your first treatment does not work, or if your GP is concerned about an underlying condition, you may be referred to a gynaecologist.

Do not hesitate to seek help and advocate for yourself—you deserve to live without period-related suffering.

1) Lacroix AE, Gondal H, Shumway KR, et al. Physiology, Menarche. [Updated 2023 Mar 11]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2025 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK470216/

2) Reed BG, Carr BR. The Normal Menstrual Cycle and the Control of Ovulation. In: Endotext. MDText.com, Inc., South Dartmouth (MA); 2000. PMID: 25905282.

3) Heavy Menstrual Bleeding patient information Sheet. Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists 2018.

4) Endometriosis Patient Information Sheet. Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists 2023.