Senior Reese Braeger had her period for three straight months.

And she thought it was normal.

“I didn’t realize I had a problem until I had talked to my doctor and she clarified that my periods were not normal,” said Braeger, who has a genetic issue with her pelvic flooring that caused severe pain. As a result, she needed surgery to expand her pelvic floor.

While her issue is uncommon, she was frustrated to realize just how little she knew her own body.

“When I had my surgery, the doctors were talking about my vulva,” she said. “I didn’t even know what that was or where it was, my physical therapist explained it to me. She also explained all the muscles in the vagina that most school girls would probably not know about.”

Females are prone to a variety of health issues that many teens may be unaware of. As a result, they may not realize when a period is not normal if birth control is needed to correct a hormone issue or how to identify when it’s time to reach out for help. 

Birth control is for more than pregnancy prevention. 

According to Planned Parenthood, birth control can control, lessen and reduce the following:

*acne

*cysts in your breasts and ovaries

*endometrial and ovarian cancers

*serious infections in your ovaries, fallopian tubes, and uterus

*iron deficiency (anemia)

*PMS (premenstrual syndrome)

*painful and irregular periods 

“Lots of people like the pill because it makes their periods regular and easy to predict,” a Planned Parenthood representative said. “The hormones in the pill can also reduce menstrual cramps and make your period lighter.”

Junior Brooke Parker takes birth control pills to help lighten her period.

“This might be TMI, but it was bad enough to where I would bleed through a super plus onto my jeans within an hour,” junior Brooke Parker said. “I had to leave school a few times to change my clothes.

Parker wants other teens to learn about their bodies.

“It is very important for young women to know how their bodies work,” she said. “Some girls have a regular 28-day cycle, other girls may have 30-32 day cycles and I know some girls who get their period every 3-6 months. I like it is extremely important to talk about the abnormalities of periods so girls feel normal if they don’t have the regular 28-day cycle.”

The following information about irregular periods is from an interview conducted with the organization Planned Parenthood.

Irregular periods include 

*Missing periods

*Period is early or late

*Different PMS symptoms

*Heavier or lighter bleeding than usual

*Bleeding longer than usual

*Unpredictable timing of periods from month to month

*Light-headed, dizzy or racing pulse

*Severe abdominal and back pain accompanying your period

“Talking about your body is not embarrassing, it is not gross, and it is most definitely appropriate to talk about women’s health,” Braeger said. “Women need care and they do not need to be belittled about their bodies.”

Female Oriented Illnesses:

Wellness exams are a necessity in order to properly monitor possible illnesses. 

Six Planned Parenthood reps spoke with a reporter about what to focus on.

*Get a “yearly check-up (with a gynecologist) focused on you, your body and your reproductive health. It may include a breast exam and a pelvic exam.”

A gynecologist specializes in women’s health and reproductive health that typically performs wellness exams. 

“If females are having problems with their periods, go to the doctor, please,” Braeger said. “Birth control is not for everyone, so if you have to change birth controls that is normal. Do not stop until you find the right solution for your body.”

The following information below is from Planned Parenthood:

Endometriosis —   Endometriosis is a condition where tissue grows where it doesn’t belong. Symptoms of this illness include: Pain, resembling cramps, right before and during your periods, pain in the vagina. spotting between your periods, having heavy period flows and infertility. 

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) — Cysts on the outer edges of the uterus.Symptoms include: irregular periods, ovarian cysts,severe acne or oily skin, and dark skin patches

Uterine Fibroids — Growths in your uterus. They’re usually not dangerous, but they can cause severe pain, heavy bleeding and problems with fertility or pregnancy.  

Self breast exams are necessary for all females in order to have awareness about their own breasts and the possibly irregularities that may occur.  

What to look for:

*Face forward and look for puckering, dimpling, or changes in size, shape or symmetry.

*Check to see if your nipples are turned in (inverted).

*Inspect your breasts with your hands pressed down on your hips.

*Inspect your breasts with your arms raised overhead and the palms of your hands pressed together.

*Lift your breasts to see if ridges along the bottom are symmetrical.

Make an appointment with your doctor if you notice:

*A hard lump or knot near your underarm

*Changes in the way your breasts look or feel, including thickening or prominent fullness that is different from the surrounding tissue

*Dimples, puckers, bulges or ridges on the skin of your breast

*A recent change in a nipple to become pushed in (inverted) instead of sticking out

*Redness, warmth, swelling or pain

*Itching, scales, sores or rashes

*Bloody nipple discharge

Transgender Healthcare:

Transgender individuals have the same basic medical needs as cisgender people, in terms of reproductive care including wellness visits and physical exams, but there is additional care needed in order to support a medical transition. 

Wellness visits are needed for those assigned female at birth to monitor the possible development of female-oriented diseases. 

Testosterone injections may additionally eliminate periods.

Resources for Teens & Young Women

 The resources below can be used to establish care and medication. 

Planned Parenthood – An organization educated on reproductive health and sexual health for women, men, and the LGBTQ+ community. (316) 263-7575

Local Doctors Offices – If an individual has parent permission, they can receive healthcare at their local office, including prescriptions for birth control, wellness visits, or a referral for an OB/GYN. 

GraceMed – An organization that provides multiple outlets of medical care at a reduced price for those without insurance.