How can I know when I've lost too much blood?

[Anonymous]

I'm on my period and and I have been spotting since last Wednesday and since Monday been having like a regular heavy period. I know I lose more blood than normal with my periods but I feel I've lost too much maybe. I'm very cold and tired feeling, almost sorta dizzy headache type deal. Sorry this is tmi but I just went to the bathroom and when I looked the water was pretty red and there was like 3 dark red stripes of blood going down the toilet that took flushing twice before they were gone. Could I be losing too much blood right now?

[caligymnast1260]

It may not mean you are loosing too much, but the effects you are having could definitely be a result of that. I say, you could be dizzy because perhaps you are not eating enough? If you do not have much of an appetite when you are on your period, just at least try to munch on something because if you don't eat, you lose energy from lack of nutrients. Drink lots and lots of water! This can not only help your weak feeling and dizziness, but can also aid in thinning out the blood that you are losing. Water will also help cure your headache a little! But, if these symptoms do not subside for a couple days, even after you tried eating and drinking water, then you should definitely look into booking a doctors appointment. I hope you feel better!

[snowangle]

Lots of girls become anemic during their periods. I recommend resting, taking iron supplements and eating iron-rich food such as red meat and spinach. And consider going on the birth control pill; it tends to make periods lighter.

You do sound like you're losing too much blood, but I don't think it's a dangerous amount. If you really feel bad though, trust your gut and head to urgent care or something.

[Asker]

I'm on birth control but it seems to be doing nothing for my period

[snowangle]

Hmm. Have you been on this pill very long? Maybe it takes time. Otherwise, maybe consider switching to a different pill.

[Asker]

Been 3 months. My next pill pack is like same medication but different name so gonna try that and see.

[Red_Arrow]

Blood in the toilet spreads out and looks worse than it is. The only way it would have taken two flushes to get the blood out is if a clot got somewhere in the bowl that did not get flushed the first time. Based on the toilet part alone it could be normal. Based on your observations before and how you are looking and feeling, you might want to check with your doctor.

[Asker]

It wasn't clots in the toilet it was like the blood stained the toilet and when I flushed once it was still stained in the toilet

[Red_Arrow]

Blood in water can sit there for a long, long time and not stain the bowl. Something else is going on there.

[willow74]

You could be dehydrated too. Really heavy periods aren't healthy so you should probably see a doctor.

[snowangle]

Good point! This too.

[jmmmfi2]

Nobody wants to read shit like this