Allara x Aavia: How to get the care you deserve—and understanding what’s “normal”
Most of us have been taught that our pain, mood swings, and fatigue before, during, and after our period are “normal,” something we just have to live with. However, anything that significantly disrupts your day-to-day life can be a sign of a hormonal condition that can be worth digging in to.
It can be stressful to go down the path of understanding whether or not you have a hormonal condition. In this article, you will learn what to look out for, and discover that what may be common, might not be normal. You can then begin to prepare for your next doctor’s appointment and get the care you deserve.
How Do I Know What’s “Not Normal?”
It’s essential to pay attention to your body and the signals it sends. While some discomfort may be a cyclical recurrence for you, certain symptoms can indicate an underlying hormonal condition such as PCOS, endometriosis, or thyroid conditions. Here are a few symptoms to pay attention to:
- Heavy, prolonged periods: bleeding that lasts more than 7 days or is excessively heavy (requiring frequent pad or tampon changes) could be a sign of a hormonal imbalance or condition like fibroids or endometriosis.
- Extreme fatigue: while many of us feel slow and sluggish during certain points of our cycle, constant fatigue that doesn’t improve with rest is worth discussing with your doctor.
- Severe pain: cramping that significantly disrupts your day-to-day activities such as work, school, or requires medication to manage could be abnormal, particularly if it’s accompanied by other symptoms like heavy bleeding or nausea.
- Unexplained weight changes: rapid weight gain or difficulty losing weight, may be linked to PCOS or thyroid disorders.
- Irregular cycles: skipping periods, having very short or long cycles, or bleeding between periods are potential red flags for a hormone imbalance (3-7 days of bleeding is considered normal).
- Acne, hair growth, or thinning: sudden changes in your skin or hair, such as cystic acne, facial hair growth, or hair thinning on your scalp, may be signs of underlying PCOS or thyroid issues.
If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms cyclically or regularly, we recommend looking into the possibility of a hormone-related condition. Early detection is key, and understanding that these symptoms aren’t “just the way it is” can help you advocate for your health.
How Do I Prep for My Next Doctor’s Appointment?
Preparing for your doctor's appointment, when you know something feels off, but you don’t exactly know what, can be very overwhelming, so we’re here to help. . A doctor-recommended first step is tracking your mood and body symptoms with your cycle for 2-3 cycles before seeing your doctor. Aavia’s Trends tab is designed with doctors to provide a detailed snapshot of 30+ tracking categories, including pain, throughout your entire cycle. This allows for easier, more focused conversations with your healthcare provider, reaching potential diagnoses and personal treatment plans quickly.
Feeling nervous or rushed during your appointments? You’re not alone! If your symptoms are dismissed as “normal,” but they’re impacting your quality of life, don’t hesitate to ask for further tests or a referral to a specialist. You deserve to feel heard and receive the care you need. With Allara Health, their compassion-first providers will not just respect and listen to you, but will serve as the medical experts to help you navigate your complex symptoms. They are the one-stop shop for women and people with ovaries struggling with hormonal symptoms. Book your test here.
Sources:
Aavia - When is period pain NOT normal?