What is Menstruation?
Menstruation, or your period, is part of a monthly cycle that lasts about a month(21-38 days). Menstruation is when the uterine lining, or the endometrium, sheds itself. Your body releases hormones to prepare for a possible pregnancy. Because of this, your uterine lining thickens to support a possible embryo. If the egg is not fertilized, the uterine lining is flushed out. This is your period! Periods are different for everyone and can even vary slightly from month to month. Menstruation typically lasts 3-7 days, from start to end of consistent flow.
Summary:
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Part of the reproductive cycle where the female body sheds the uterine lining when there is no embryo
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Also known as a period, they are different for everyone and can have some variation each month!
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Usually lasts 3-7 days.
What is spotting?
Spotting is light bleeding that occurs between periods, typically lasting only a few days around ovulation when hormone levels change. Spotting typically appears as pink or brownish discharge and is very light, so you don’t need to use period products for it. Sometimes you spot a bit before your period. Though it does not officially mark day one of your period, it can be a heads-up that your period will arrive soon.
Summary:
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It is light bleeding that occurs between/before periods
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It can tell you your period is coming soon!
How does your period change throughout your life?
Every woman’s period changes during her lifetime. Here are some of the most important moments:
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Menarche: This is when periods first start! In the U.S., the average age to start your period is 12, but it’s completely normal to start your period from age 8 to 16.
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The first three years: For a few years after menarche, your period will likely be irregular. After the first three years, menstruation becomes more regular.
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Girlhood: It’s common for younger women to have heavier periods.
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Pregnancy: You don’t have periods during pregnancy as the uterine lining is needed to support the baby.
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Perimenopause: At age 40 and above, your periods will become more irregular and less frequent, a sign of perimenopause, the transition into menopause.
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Menopause: Menopause is when you haven’t had a period for over 12 months and occurs around age 45-55. Once menopause occurs, you no longer have periods!
Fun fact! Menstruation typically starts at a similar age as your mother.
What are the symptoms of your period?
What are the symptoms of your period? Period symptoms are symptoms that you may experience before, during, or after your period. They may be caused by many things, like changing hormones, the peristalsis of your uterus during your period.
Some period symptoms include:
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Cramps and bloating
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Fatigue or headaches
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Diarrhea or constipation
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Breast tenderness/back pain
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Mood swings
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Acne
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Food cravings
How can I help my period symtoms?
You can use many different methods to help you feel better during your period, and not every method works for everyone. Everyone and their periods and symptoms are different, so it’s important to just find what works for you!
Some things that we, as teenage girls, recommend:
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Using a cute heatable stuffed animal or heating pad to warm your lower belly
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Taking a warm bath or shower
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Drinking hot water or your favorite tea
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Wear comfy clothing
And here are some things that might help you, too!
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Staying active on a normal basis, but also remembering that it’s okay to feel more tired during or before your period
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Taking over-the-counter medications like ibuprofen to help with pain and swelling
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Go for a walk or light movement
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Sleep/napping
When should I be concerned about my period?
While a bit of variation when you have your period is normal, you may have abnormal periods that you may need to see a doctor for. Some signs you might have abnormal periods include:
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Very heavy or light periods, such as when you soak a pad/tampon every hour
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Severe cramps or intense pain
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Clots larger than a quarter
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Bleeding for more than 8 days
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Long or short cycles that are greater than 35 days or less than 21 days
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Missing your period for over 3 months without being pregnant
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Bleeding after menopause
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Bleeding or spotting after intercourse
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Feeling sick after tampon use
Tips for using period products
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Always follow the instructions that come with your period product!
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If you are using a reusable feminine hygiene product, make sure you change or rinse it before it is soaked through or full.
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Don’t use tampons for more than eight hours or when sleeping at night.
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It’s normal to change your pad every few hours.
Everyone’s body is different, and everyone’s period is different! If you have any questions about your period, make sure you ask your OB/GYN or doctor. Tracking your period is always a good idea, and there are plenty of online apps you can use, or even just a calendar works great as well. Remember, you are not alone in this! Nearly every woman experiences menstruation, and we are here to support each other.
Difficult words:
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Egg: Definition: Also known as the ovum, the female reproductive cell/gamete that is fertilized by the sperm and implants on the endometrium in the uterus to start pregnancy.
Hormone(s): Pronounced: “HOR-mown.” Definition: The chemical messengers that regulate biological processes like reproduction, growth, and metabolism.
Menarche: Pronounced: “muh-NAHR-kee.” Definition: A girl's first period. The time when menstruation begins for the first time.
Menopause: Pronounced: “Me-NO-pause.” Definition: The time during a woman’s life when menstruation stops permanently, and you can no longer get pregnant. This normally happens around 50.
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Ovulation: Definition: The part of the menstrual cycle where the mature egg is released from the ovary. Signaled by the spike in FSH and LH.
Uterus: Pronounced: “YOU-ter-us.” Definition: The pear-shaped hollow organ inside a woman’s pelvis. This is where the baby grows, also called the womb.
Sources:
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https://womenshealth.gov/menstrual-cycle/your-menstrual-cycle
https://mydoctor.kaiserpermanente.org/ncal/structured-content/menstruation-850099/when-to-call-us
https://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/menstruation/conditioninfo
https://www.acog.org/womens-health/faqs/abnormal-uterine-bleeding?
https://www.acog.org/womens-health/faqs/abnormal-uterine-bleeding?
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/10132-menstrual-cycle