When you bleed heavily

Book an appointment with your regular doctor if you often bleed through clothing or bedding, have to change products at night, bleed for more than seven days, or miss school and activities because of the bleeding. You can ask an adult or school nurse to help you arrange an appointment.

If a large sanitary pad becomes completely soaked within one or two hours several times in a row, or if you are bleeding heavily and feel dizzy or clearly unwell, contact your regular doctor's office that same day. Ask them to assess how urgently you need to be examined. Call the Norwegian out-of-hours medical service on 116 117 if your regular doctor is unavailable and the help cannot wait. Tell an adult straight away if you can.

Call 113 if someone is unconscious, difficult to wake, collapses and does not quickly recover, or has severe difficulty breathing. Ask someone to stay with you if you suddenly feel very unwell.

A pad may leak because it does not fit well, but also because it is soaked through. Different products absorb different amounts of blood. Notice how quickly the product fills and how you feel. Describe both when you ask for help.

Try pads with suitable length and absorbency, and underwear that keeps the pad in place. Period underwear can offer additional protection with a pad. Change the product when it is full and follow the instructions. Bring spare products, underwear and a bag for soiled clothing. Ask an adult at school for access to the toilet when you need it. Bleeding through is not your fault.

You can choose pads or period underwear if you prefer products worn outside the body. They collect period blood in your underwear. These products can help prevent leaks, but they do not reduce the bleeding itself.

When you lose blood, you also lose iron. Heavy bleeding can cause iron deficiency and anaemia. You may become tired, pale, dizzy or more easily out of breath. A doctor can arrange blood tests and assess whether you need iron supplements.

A doctor asks how long you bleed, how often products fill up and how the bleeding affects your day. Mention dizziness, low energy, easy bruising, nosebleeds or bleeding disorders in your family. These details may influence which investigations are appropriate.

Blood tests may be useful to check haemoglobin and iron stores. Other tests or examinations depend on your medical history. A gynaecological examination is not automatically necessary for teenagers. Ask what the doctor wants to find out, how you will receive the results and when you will follow up.

A doctor may consider medicines that reduce bleeding, with or without hormones. Hormonal treatment can be considered after periods have started, even while cycles are irregular. What suits another person may not suit you. Talk with the doctor about benefits, side effects and follow-up. Do not take someone else's medicines or follow doses suggested on social media.

Some Norwegian municipalities offer video appointments with a municipal online doctor through Helsenorge. These may be suitable when the situation is not urgent. Ask for help booking an appointment if needed. An online doctor cannot take blood samples or examine you physically. Follow the guidance on contacting your regular doctor, the out-of-hours service or 113 if you need urgent help.