Excessive vaginal discharge could also be the sign of a sexually transmitted infection, especially Gonorrhoea and Chlamydia.

To know more about Gonorrhoea, click here.

To know more about Chlamydia, click here.

Genital Warts (HPV) 

Clotting

Passing clots during periods can be considered a bad sign, simply because clots are concentrated amounts of blood. This means that even though you have a normal flow, the clots along with the flow of blood accounts for excess flow, thus you actually have a heavy flow rather than a normal flow.

To know more about what are the issues that could surround passing of clots during periods, click here.

Heavy Flow

A lot of gynaecological issues are connected to heavy flow.

Among these, fibroids are one of the most common reasons for heavy bleeding. These are a benign growth in the uterus made up of muscle fibre.

Apart from that, here are some other common reasons why you could have heavy flow:

• Polyps are an abnormal growth of tissue from a mucous membrane. These cause irregular spotting more than heavy bleeding.
• Endometrial cancer affects the lining of the uterus. It is more common after menopause.
• Endometriosis is a condition wherein the lining of the uterus grows outside the uterus.
• Hormonal Disorders
• Anovulatory bleeding, which occurs when you don't ovulate.
• Thyroid wherein a dysfunctional thyroid gland can lead to heavy bleeding.
• Use of Intra Uterine Devices (IUD) such as Copper T for contraception can also lead to heavier periods.
• Stress, obesity, anaemia and the onset of menopause are also known to cause heavy bleeding.

Cramps can be really painful during the first one or two days of menses. However, severe cramps can also mean severe gynaecological problems. So don't think cramps are part and parcel of your periods. Make sure you rule the following health issues out, by visiting your Gynaecologist at the earliest.