When Did You Realize Your Period Pain/Symptoms Weren't Just "Normal" And You Needed To See A Doctor?

Let's be real — for those of us who experience periods, the symptoms can be hellish: cramps, bloating, breakouts, constipation, diarrhea, you name it. Aunt Flo does NOT hold back.

But maybe some of you have experienced period symptoms that go above and beyond the typical gamut of ailments, and it took you a second to realize, "Wait, not everyone goes through this every month?" And you knew it was time to get help from a medical professional.

Were you chatting with a sibling who works in the medical field and told them about how much you typically bleed every day while you menstruate, and they were absolutely gobsmacked?

Perhaps you and your friends were discussing PMS and, in comparison, it felt like you were going through something totally different than the rest of the people in your group?

Or possibly you were sitting on the toilet having the worst period poop cramps of your life and stopped to think, "Wait, this is NOT normal."

So please, tell me about a time you realized your menstruation was not "typical," and you knew you needed a doctor's help. Use the comments to share your story, or fill out this form if you prefer to remain anonymous. Your response may be featured in a BuzzFeed Community post!