Menstrual Cycle
What is the Menstrual Cycle?
The menstrual cycle is the monthly process your body goes through to prepare for pregnancy. It usually lasts about 28 days, but anywhere from 21 to 35 days can be normal. Understanding your cycle can help you track fertility, spot changes in your health, and manage symptoms like cramps or mood changes.
+ Know Your Normal
Everyone’s cycle is different. What’s ‘normal’ for you might not be for someone else. Tracking your cycle can be helpful in figuring out your normal:
- Use a period tracker app or a simple calendar.
- Note start and end dates, flow, pain levels, and mood or other symptoms.
- Consider:
- Is my cycle length fairly consistent (for example, between 26 and 32 days)?
- Do I bleed for about 2 to 7 days?
- Are my symptoms manageable, or do they disrupt my life?
- Do I notice predictable changes in mood and energy?
+ When to Chat to a Healthcare Professional
If you experience the following regularly it’s worth chatting with a healthcare professional:
- Bleeding that’s very heavy (for example, soaking through pads/tampons every hour.
- Periods lasting longer than 7 days.
- Severe pain that stops you from doing daily activities.
- Spotting or bleeding between periods.
- Missing periods for months at a time.
- Sudden changes in your cycle (for example, becoming much shorter, longer or irregular).
+ Empower Yourself
- Prepare for appointments – write down your questions and symptoms.
- Ask for support
- You can request a second opinion.
- You’re not alone – 1 in 10 people experience menstrual symptoms that affect their quality of life.
- You don’t need a diagnosis to ask for help managing your symptoms.
Local Support
SBUHB Community Healthy Bladder and Bowel Service
Lots of helpful information, including explanations of different issues and what you can do to help manage these conditions. They are also there to help if you need extra support.
Tel: 01792 532424
SBUHB – Women’s Pelvic Health Physiotherapy Information Sessions
Join us for a free, informative session on pelvic health led by NHS physiotherapists. Held in venues across Swansea, Neath and Port Talbot.
This session will explore key pelvic health issues that can affect women throughout different stages of life—from adolescence to post-menopause. Whether you’re currently experiencing symptoms or simply want to learn more, our expert physiotherapists will guide you through:
- Common pelvic health concerns
- Self-management strategies
- Where you get more information or further help
This is a great opportunity to ask questions, gain confidence, and take proactive steps toward improving your pelvic health.
FREE Period Products
Since 2019 all local authorities (Council’s) in Wales have received funding from Welsh Government, known as the ‘Period Dignity Grant’, to support period poverty across Wales.
It will help to makes Wales a period proud nation and ensure access to menstrual / period products without embarrassment or shame. s
Swansea Council – Free Period Products
Free period products are available at a number of locations around Swansea.
Click HERE for a map of where you can get free period products.
All secondary schools have been given five packs of plastic-free pads for each girl to take home every school term, with more supplies kept in school and for primary schools.
NPT Council – Free Period Products
The Period Poverty grant supports our communities by providing free resources via key points of help.
You can collect your free period products from various locations across the County.
All primary and secondary schools in Neath Port Talbot receive funding to provide free period products to those in need in a practical and dignified manner.
Menstrual Health Help and Resources
NHS – Periods
Visit the NHS website to find out more about periods. You will also find information on heavy periods, period pain, irregular periods and stopped or missed periods.
Bloody Brilliant Wales
Bloody Brilliant want to empower girls and young people aged 11-16 that have periods as well all those around them to be period proud, so join the movement and let’s normalise periods together.
NHS – Endometriosis
Visit the NHS website to find out more about endometriosis including symptoms, tests and treatments.
Endometriosis UK
For information on endometriosis visit Endometriosis UK. Try their Symptom Checker which is a quick and easy way to find out if your symptoms could be endometriosis.
Endometriosis UK – Support Network
Endometriosis UK offers a support network which includes support groups, a helpline, webchat and online community.
Call their free confidential endometriosis Helpline on 0808 808 2227
Endometriosis Cymru
Many people find it helpful and comforting to speak with other people who’ve been or are going through similar experiences. Search the Endometriosis Cymru website for support.