Menstruation (Periods): Unlocking the Mystery of Its Overview

Menstruation (Periods): Unlocking the Mystery of Its Overview

How many of teenage girls are aware of menstruation or period? According to recent survey of NIH (National Institutes of Health), most teenagers don’t even aware of period or menstruation.  In India, 15% girls think period is a curse and they never talked about ‘period’ to anyone. That leads them to the unhygienic period health.

Periods

What is menstruation/period?

Menstruation, commonly known as a period, is a natural biological process that many women experience monthly. This blog is about the various aspects of menstruation, aiming to provide a comprehensive overview and answer common questions about period symptoms, causes, diagnosis, phases, and the impact of birth control.

A period is the shedding of the uterine lining. It happens when there is no fertilized egg to initiate pregnancy. Typically lasting between three to seven days, this cycle repeats every 28 days on average, though it can vary among individuals.

Period Symptoms

Period symptoms can vary widely, but common experiences include cramps, bloating, mood swings, and fatigue. Premenstrual syndrome or PMSing is common among girls.

Some girls even experience headaches, back pain, and breast tenderness. Understanding these symptoms can help in managing and anticipating the changes that come with each cycle.

What are the causes of Period?

The primary cause of a period is the fluctuation of hormones, particularly estrogen and progesterone, which regulate the menstrual cycle. These hormonal changes prepare the body for a potential pregnancy by thickening the uterine lining. If pregnancy does not occur, the lining is shed, resulting in a period.

menstruation

What are the phases of Period?

The menstrual cycle is divided into four phases:

Menstrual Phase: This is when bleeding occurs as the uterine lining is shed.

Follicular Phase: In this phase, the body prepares for ovulation, and the uterine lining begins to thicken again.

Ovulation Phase: Around the midpoint of the cycle, an egg is released from the ovaries.

Luteal Phase: If the egg is not fertilized, hormone levels drop, leading to the start of the menstrual phase.

Birth Control and Period

Birth control methods can significantly impact periods. Hormonal birth control methods, such as the suvida oral contraceptive pill, can regulate, lighten, or even stop periods altogether. It helps altering hormone levels to prevent ovulation and stabilize the uterine lining.

Conclusion

Understanding your period is essential for maintaining reproductive health. Recognizing the symptoms, causes, and phases of the menstrual cycle, along with the impact of birth control, helps girls to take care of their hygiene and menstrual health. If you have concerns or irregularities with your period, consulting a healthcare provider is recommended to ensure everything is functioning as it should.

Mechanism of Action of Oral Contraceptives
Frequently Asked Questions on: Menstruation (Periods): Unlocking the Mystery of Its Overview
What is the definition of menstruation in biology?
Menstruation is the regular discharge of blood and mucosal tissue from the inner lining of the uterus through the vagina.
Why is it called a period?
It is called a period because it occurs at regular intervals, typically every 28 days.
In which age periods stop?
Periods typically stop between the ages of 45 and 55, marking the onset of menopause.
How to explain periods to a boy?
Periods are a natural and regular process in which girls and women shed the lining of their uterus, resulting in bleeding from the vagina.
What's in period blood?
Period blood contains blood, uterine lining tissue, and vaginal secretions.
How to use a menstrual cup?
Fold the menstrual cup, insert it into the vagina, allow it to pop open and create a seal, then remove, empty, rinse, and reinsert as needed.
How to stop menstrual bleeding immediately?
Stopping menstrual bleeding immediately is not typically possible; consult a healthcare provider for options like medications if necessary.
Which hormones regulate the menstrual cycle?
Estrogen and progesterone are the primary hormones that regulate the menstrual cycle.
How to get periods early?
There is no guaranteed way to get periods early; consult a healthcare provider for guidance on this matter.
What to do if period is late?
If your period is late:
  • Stay calm and confirm the delay
  • Consider stress in your daily life, weight gain/loss, medication, any major lifestyle change
  • Take a pregnancy test if applicable
  • Checkout your symptoms (acne/blemish/pimple)
  • Maintain a healthy diet,
  • Wait for another 7 days
Consult a healthcare professional if:
  • Period is over a week late
  • You experience unusual symptoms
  • You have ongoing concerns
  • Always seek medical advice for persistent irregularities.
What to do to get your period early?
Use hormonal birth control like suvida as directed by a doctor.
  • Try gentle exercise.
  • Manage stress through relaxation techniques.
  • Consider vitamin C-rich foods.
  • Maintain a healthy diet and weight.
  • Try pineapple or papaya.
  • Use a heating pad on your abdomen.
What to do if you miss your period date?
  • Take a home pregnancy test, especially if sexually active.
  • Consider other potential causes like stress, weight changes, or hormonal imbalances.
  • Track your symptoms and cycle changes.
  • If your period is more than a week late, consult a gynecologist.
What to do if periods are not happening?
  • Take a pregnancy test if sexually active.
  • Consider stress, weight changes, or hormonal imbalances as potential causes.
  • Track your symptoms and cycle changes.
  • Consult a healthcare professional if your period is more than a week late.
  • Maintain a healthy lifestyle with proper nutrition and exercise
How many days after period does pregnancy occur?
Ovulation timing: In a typical 28-day cycle, ovulation occurs around day 14, counting from the first day of your last period.
Fertile period: Due to sperm survival, the fertile window is usually about 6 days long – 5 days before ovulation and the day of ovulation itself.
Conception: If fertilization occurs, it typically happens within 24 hours of ovulation.
Implantation: The fertilized egg then takes about 6-10 days to implant in the uterus.
Cycle variability: It’s important to note that cycle lengths can vary, so ovulation timing isn’t always predictable.
Individual differences: Some women may ovulate earlier or later in their cycles, affecting when pregnancy can occur.
What are the reasons for delay in period?
Here are some significant reasons of getting your period lately:
  • You are stressed or facing anxiety issues.
  • Sudden weight changes
  • Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
  • Chronic diseases like diabetes
  • Thyroid issues
  • Primary ovarian insufficiency (POI)
  • Pregnancy
  • Hormonal imbalances
What to do if your period doesn't come after sex?

You don’t need to be worried if you don’t get period even after sex. Sometimes stress, obesity, sudden lifestyle changes are reasons of late period.

How to reduce pain in periods?
To reduce pain in periods, here are several effective strategies you can try:
Apply heat: Use a heating pad or hot water bottle on your lower abdomen or lower back. Heat can help relax the muscles and ease pain.
Regular exercise: Engage in moderate physical activity, which can help improve blood circulation and release endorphins, natural pain relievers.
Relaxation techniques: Practice yoga, meditation, or deep breathing exercises to help manage stress and reduce pain perception.
Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of water to help prevent bloating and reduce discomfort.
Suvida oral contraceptive pill helps to reduce period cramps.
What is the best treatment for irregular periods?
Here are some important tips If you are facing irregular periods:
  1. Check your weight.
  2. If you are facing obesity then try to maintain your weight.
  3. Do workout regularly
  4. Yoga is one of the best exercises to stay fit and active.
  5. Eat healthy and oil-free food.
  6. Note down the symptoms if any like acne, period cramps, white patches on face, dull skin etc.
What is the main reason for irregular periods?

There are various reasons for irregular periods like unhealthy eating habit (oily/junk food), poor lifestyle, endometrioid, ovarion or myometrial cyst, obesity, stress, anxiety, depression and some medications.

How to calculate next menstrual cycle?
Track Your Cycle: Mark the first day of each period on a calendar.
Calculate Cycle Length: Count the number of days between the first day of one period and the first day of the next. Repeat this for a few cycles.
Find the Average: Add up the total number of days and divide by the number of cycles you’ve tracked.
The average menstrual cycle is typically 28 days but can range from 21 to 35 days. Once you’ve determined your average cycle length, you can estimate the start date of your next period by counting forward from the first day of your last period.
For more accuracy, consider using a period tracker app.