Heavy bleeding · For ages 8–12
How do I know if I bleed a lot during my period?
Periods differ from person to person. Some people bleed a little and others bleed more. What matters most is how the bleeding actually affects you.
About what you notice
What is happening?
Perhaps blood goes through your pad or period underwear, you need to change very often, or you wake up because there is blood on your bedding. These are useful things to tell an adult if you wonder whether you bleed a lot.
A period involves blood and small pieces of a soft lining from inside the uterus. The uterus is a small, hollow organ low in your tummy. An organ is a part of the body with a particular job. The uterus is the place where a baby can grow before birth. The blood leaves through the vagina, a soft passage with an opening between your legs.
A pad is a soft absorbent product that sticks inside your underwear and collects blood. Period underwear is designed to absorb it. Some days you may bleed more and on other days less. If you often bleed through products, need to change them at night or bleed so much you miss ordinary activities, the bleeding may be heavy.
When you lose a lot of blood, your body may also lose a lot of iron. Iron is something your body needs so your blood can carry oxygen around your body. Oxygen is part of the air you breathe, and your body needs it to work. Too little iron can make you very tired. A doctor can check this with a blood test.
Help is available for heavy periods. Notice how often you change products, whether you bleed through, how many days the bleeding lasts and how you feel. This is enough to begin explaining it.
If you bleed heavily and also become very dizzy, faint or feel seriously unwell, tell an adult immediately. You need urgent medical help.
It is common for periods to come at different intervals at first. You should still get help if you bleed heavily. You do not have to wait for your periods to become regular before a doctor can help you.
Find what fits best
Which sounds most like what you notice?
Choose the option closest to what you have seen, felt or noticed.
How do I know if I bleed a lot during my period?
Forklaringskort
Important to know
It can be difficult to know exactly how much blood comes out. Instead, notice how often you have to change a pad or period underwear and whether blood leaks through your clothes.
You could say, 'My pad fills up before the lesson ends,' or 'I have to change several times at night.' That is useful information even if you are unsure of the number. Ask an adult to help you find suitable products and consider whether you need a doctor's appointment.
If blood frequently goes through your period product and onto underwear, trousers or bedding, it may be a sign that the bleeding is heavy.
A pad may leak if it is crooked or full. Ask for help with the size and position. If leaks keep happening, you should also talk about how much you are bleeding. You deserve help with clean clothes and somewhere to change without being made fun of.
Some people occasionally need to change a period product during the night. If you often need to get up to change it because it is full or you have leaked, it is a good idea to tell an adult.
Tell an adult whether you wake up because a pad is full or because you are afraid it will leak. They can help find suitable protection and prepare spare underwear. If bleeding repeatedly interrupts your sleep, that is also a reason to get it assessed.
If you bleed for more than seven days, often bleed through your clothes or have to change products during the night, tell an adult. Ask them to help you contact a doctor. You do not need to measure the blood or be certain that it is a lot.
Write down when the bleeding began if you can, or ask an adult to help you remember. Even if you do not know the date, you can still tell someone. Ask for help if your period lasts a long time or makes you exhausted. You do not need to wait for the next period to mention it.
When your body loses a lot of blood, it may also lose a lot of iron. This can make you feel tired or weak. A doctor can investigate with a blood test.
Tell someone if you need to rest after doing something that is usually easy for you, or you feel dizzy on the way to school. Talk about both the bleeding and your energy. It is the job of an adult and healthcare professionals to help find the cause and any treatment.
If you have heavy menstrual bleeding, help and treatment are available. This is why it matters to tell someone how the bleeding affects school, sleep and your everyday life.
A doctor may ask about the bleeding and consider tests or medicine. Ask what the treatment is meant to do and when you will check if it works. You can have your choices explained in words you understand. You can bring an adult to help remember the information.
Tell an adult immediately if a large pad becomes completely soaked within one or two hours several times in a row, or if you are bleeding heavily and feel dizzy or unwell. The adult should contact a doctor on the same day. If your GP is unavailable and help cannot wait, call the Norwegian out-of-hours medical service on 116 117.
Call 113 for an immediate threat to life or health, for example if someone cannot be woken, collapses and does not recover, or has serious trouble breathing. If you are alone and cannot reach an adult, you can call yourself.
Choose a pad that fits your underwear and is designed for heavy bleeding. The pad should stay securely in place. You can also wear period underwear, which absorbs blood, for extra protection. Change products when full and follow the instructions on the packaging.
You do not have to use tampons or a menstrual cup if you do not want to. These products collect blood but do not reduce how much you bleed.
You can keep extra pads, clean underwear and a bag for clothes in your school bag. Ask a teacher or school nurse to help you use the toilet when you need it. You do not have to explain your period in front of the class. If you bleed through, you should receive help changing clothes and feeling safe.
You can agree on a simple signal with your teacher when you need to leave the room or find out where extra pads are kept. Ask for a place to keep spare clothes. If you feel unwell, an adult should help you rather than leaving you to manage everything on your own.
What next?
What can you do next?
You can say: 'I often bleed through my clothes', 'I have to change all the time' or 'I become very tired during my period.' This is enough to start a conversation and get help assessing the bleeding. Ask an adult to help contact a doctor if you often bleed through or the bleeding makes school and daily life difficult. If you are bleeding heavily now and feel dizzy or unwell, tell someone immediately.
Sources
These are the sources used for this article. Some are written for teenagers, adults or healthcare professionals.
- Helsenorge: Kraftige menstruasjonsblødninger (Norwegian), opens in a new tab
- Helsenorge: Menstruasjon (Norwegian), opens in a new tab
- Helsenorge: Legevakt (Norwegian), opens in a new tab
- Royal Children’s Hospital: Kraftige menstruasjonsblødninger hos ungdom (engelsk) (Norwegian), opens in a new tab
- Ung.no: Bind, tampong, menskopp og menstruse (Norwegian), opens in a new tab