Revisiones y cuándo consultar
When to see a doctor about your period
Revisado: 4 de octubre de 2026
Solo en inglés por ahoraSome period changes are worth a routine check-up, and a few need urgent care. Here is how to tell the difference, and what to bring to your appointment.
Knowing your normal
Periods vary, so the most useful guide is what is normal for you. Most adult cycles last somewhere between about 21 and 38 days, and a period usually lasts 2 to 7 days. Periods usually come regularly. They stop during pregnancy and after menopause, and often while breastfeeding. Irregular periods are common in the first few years after periods start and in the years before menopause. A clear change from your usual pattern is a good reason to get checked.
Book a routine appointment
See a doctor or nurse if your periods become irregular after being regular. Also book if your cycles are regularly shorter than 24 days or longer than 38 days. Go if you have had no period for 3 months and are not pregnant or breastfeeding. Also go if periods have not started by age 15, or within 3 years of breasts starting to grow, or if they started before age 8. Pain is another reason, if painkillers such as ibuprofen do not help or it stops you working or studying. So are premenstrual symptoms or migraines that affect your daily life.
Heavy or unusual bleeding
Get checked if your periods are heavy. Signs include changing a pad or tampon every 1 to 2 hours, or needing two products at once. Bleeding for more than 7 days, passing clots larger than about 2.5 cm, or bleeding through to your clothes or bedding are also signs. Bleeding between periods, after sex or after menopause should always be checked by a doctor. Feeling very tired or short of breath with heavy periods can be a sign of low iron (anaemia).
Get help the same day
If heavy bleeding makes you feel dizzy, light-headed or weak, contact a doctor or nurse the same day. Do the same if you have pelvic pain with a high temperature, unusual discharge, vomiting, or pain when peeing. If you might be pregnant, even without a positive test, contact a doctor or nurse the same day if you have pain low down on one side of your tummy or any bleeding. Get emergency help for sudden, severe tummy pain, pain in the tip of your shoulder, heavy bleeding, or feeling very dizzy or faint. These can be signs of a pregnancy growing outside the womb (ectopic pregnancy).
Get emergency help
Call your local emergency number or go to an emergency department if you are bleeding heavily and you faint or feel about to faint, or you have chest pain or trouble breathing. Do the same for sudden, severe pain in your tummy or pelvis. Toxic shock syndrome (TSS) is a rare but serious illness linked to tampons and cups. If you suddenly get a high fever, vomiting or a rash, or feel dizzy or faint, while using a tampon, cup or disc, take it out and get medical help straight away. If you feel very unwell or confused, or have trouble breathing, call your local emergency number.
Getting the most from your visit
Before your appointment, note when each period started and ended, how heavy the bleeding was, how often you changed products, and any pain or other symptoms. A diary or calendar of your periods and symptoms helps a doctor or nurse find the cause of a problem. Ciclo keeps your period dates and logged symptoms in one place, so you can look back before the visit. It also helps to bring a list of any medicines you take and the questions you want to ask.
This is general information, not a diagnosis. If you are worried about your periods, talk to a doctor or nurse.