Think Your Period Is "Normal"? Let’s Talk About it

For so many women, having a tough period has become... well, normal. Heavy bleeding, exhausting fatigue, mood swings, bloating; it's just part of being a woman, right? Not quite.

these symptoms are common, they’re not always normal. If your monthly cycle leaves you feeling drained, in pain, or emotionally overwhelmed, your body could be waving a red flag.

Let’s break down some common period symptoms that might actually be signs of a hormonal imbalance, nutrient deficiency, or deeper health issue.

1. Heavy Bleeding 

Not Normal:

• Changing a pad, tampon, or menstrual cup every hour
• Passing large blood clots
• Bleeding for more than 7 days straight

What Is Normal:
A steady flow that lasts 3 to 7 days, with clots no larger than a quarter.

If you’re canceling plans or mapping your life around your period, that’s a sign to investigate further. Heavy periods can be linked to iron deficiency, fibroids, or a hormonal imbalance, particularly excess estrogen.

 2. GI Upset or Bloating

Not Normal:
Painful bloating, gas, constipation, or diarrhea that comes and goes with your menstrual cycle.

What Is Normal:
A bit of bloating or appetite shift — nothing that disrupts your life.

Your gut and your hormones are closely connected. If your digestive system flares up with your period, it might be a sign of gut dysbiosis, inflammation, or a sluggish liver struggling to process hormones.

3. Exhaustion or Fatigue

Not Normal:
Needing constant naps, feeling dizzy, or dragging yourself through the day during your period.

What Is Normal:
A little dip in energy — but not full-on burnout.

This kind of fatigue could point to iron deficiency anemia, low thyroid (hypothyroidism), or adrenal dysfunction — all of which are common in women with chronic period issues.

 4. Mood Swings & Anxiety

Not Normal:
Feeling like a totally different person every month — anxious, depressed, irritable, or even rageful.

What Is Normal:
Some mood shifts before your period — nothing that takes over your mental health.

If PMS is ruining your week, it could be a sign of PMDD (Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder), nutrient imbalances, or estrogen dominance. Mental health is not separate from menstrual health.

You Deserve Better Than ‘Just Deal With It’

Let’s be real: your period shouldn’t be a monthly nightmare. You shouldn’t need a heating pad, painkillers, and three days off work just to get through it. Your body is trying to tell you something — and ignoring those signs can lead to long-term hormone issues, burnout, and chronic conditions.

The Good News? You Can Heal.

With the right support, you can:

• Balance your hormones naturally
• Reduce painful periods and mood swings
• Boost your energy
• Feel more at home in your body all month long

At Radiate with Rita, I help women get to the root cause of their period problems with a functional nutrition and whole-body approach.

Ready to Stop Guessing and Start Feeling Better?

I encourage you to download my Period Fix Blueprint — your new roadmap to start making periods way less painful, heavy, and all-around miserable.

✅ The real reason your period is painful, heavy, or MIA

✅ How to reduce inflammation balance estrogen + progesterone with simple shifts in your nutrition + day to day habits

✅ Period symptom tracker + a cycle cheat sheet to actually understand your cycle

and MORE!

You can also join my waitlist for Nourish to Nurture, a 12 week women's fertility prep program I run with my friend + fellow health coach / pregnancy/postpartum nutrition consultant, Kyndle Padgett, that is designed to help you boost fertility and finally get to the root of chronic symptoms like fatigue, bloat, acne, and painful or irregular periods. Learn more about the program HERE! (and if you're feeling called, join the waitlist!). Exclusive savings + bonuses are available to those on the waitlist ONLY.

We also recorded a mini podcast series to give you babes the low down on HOW we've helped hundreds of women feel better in their bodies, improve bloat, period pain + more while giving you babes action steps you can start implementing TODAY! Listen in HERE!

If you're curious to learn more about how we can work together, book a discovery call using the link below!! 

Let’s shift your cycle from something you suffer through… to something that supports you!