Your period could be telling you a lot more about your health than you realise and here’s why you should start looking out for changes in your period, and what they mean.

While some people suffer for the full week, others barely notice it’s there for the week (we envy you).

Most women don’t really pay attention to change in their cycle so here are what changes in your cycle could be telling you…

A hormone imbalance:

Women tend to menstruate every 21 to 35 days. If you do not get regular periods it could be a sign that your hormones are out of balance.

This can lead to the symptoms such as headaches, mood swings, night sweats, fatigue and weight gain, according to The Sun .

However, it can be caused by stress, weight loss, pregnancy or drinking too much alcohol. You should always visit your GP before self diagnosing however.

Weight problems:

If you are over weight or underweight this can cause major problems and changes to your usual cycle. Speaking to The Sun , Dr Webberley said,

“If you’re either underweight or overweight, your balance of hormones may be affected, which can cause irregular periods.

“In some cases, particularly where stringent dieting or over training is a factor in weight loss, it can cause periods to stop altogether.

“Your period is therefore a good indicator of whether you are at a healthy weight.”

Endometriosis:

Often misdiagnosed as heavy periods, many women suffer from Endometriosis.

The primary symptom of endometriosis is pelvic pain, often associated with your menstrual period. Although many women experience cramping during their menstrual period, women with endometriosis typically describe menstrual pain that’s far worse than usual, according to the Mayo Clinic.

If our pain gets worse over time then it may be time to visit your GP about the possibility of endometriosis.

Other symptoms include: pain with intercourse, excessive bleeding, fatigue, diarrhea, constipation, bloating or nausea, especially during menstrual periods.

Pregnancy:

Self explanatory but if you miss a period it could be the early signs of pregnancy. We’d say listen to your body and go find out.

Cancer or pre-cancerous cells:

Heavy periods can be a sign of something a lot more serious such as uterine cancer.

According to the NHS, heavy bleeding or bleeding between periods is an indication you may have the cancer. Obviously before self diagnosing and worrying you should always visit your GP, as it may just be as a result of stress.

According to The Mayo Clinic , endometrial cancer is often detected at an early stage because it frequently produces abnormal vaginal bleeding, which prompts women to see their doctors.

As always, visit you local GP or doctor to see what is causing the changes in your period in order to receive the best treatment.