There is a rule of thumb here: if you go through one sanitary pad per hour (totally soaked), then you need to let your doctor know.
If a person normally doesn't have heavy periods and they go through it once every few months, it is perfectly fine.
As women get older, we tend to have heavier periods because the uterus develops more lining than whe were younger.
For cramping, take motrin. It is an anti-prostaglandin drug - prostaglandin hormones causes cramping.
Hope this helps!
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