What is Menstruation

Menstruation, also known as a menstrual period, is the monthly shedding of the lining of the uterus. The uterus is the organ in the lower abdomen where a baby grows during pregnancy.

Menstruation involves the passing of blood, tissue, fluid, and mucus. The flow of blood usually occurs during 3–7 consecutive days each month.

Girls usually start their periods between the ages of 12 and 14, but some girls may be older or younger when they start their period. Some girls have regular monthly menstrual cycles right from the beginning.

However, it is not unusual to have only a couple of drops of blood or spotting when first starting to have periods. It is also not unusual to have two periods a month or miss a month or two when first starting to have periods. Women will continue to have periods until they reach menopause, which usually occurs between the ages of 48 and 55.

What are the symptoms?

During your period, you pass blood, tissue, fluid, and mucus out of your vagina. Periods are different for each woman and girl. You may experience:

• Bleeding that lasts for 3–7 days. A little more or less bleeding is normal.
• Occasional heavy bleeding.
• Cramps in the lower abdomen.
• Aching or pain in the lower back area.
• Sore breasts.
• Dizziness.
• Nausea.
• Diarrhea.

Other symptoms may occur 5–10 days before your menstrual period starts. These symptoms are referred to as premenstrual syndrome (PMS). These symptoms can include:

• Headache.
• Breast tenderness and swelling.
• Bloating.
• Tiredness (fatigue).
• Mood changes.
• Craving for certain foods.

How does the menstrual cycle happen?

A period is part of a woman’s menstrual cycle, which is a series of changes that the body goes through to get ready to become pregnant. The menstrual cycle usually lasts about 28 days, meaning that you will get your period about every 28 days if you do not get pregnant. However, some women get their periods as soon as every 21 days or as late as every 35 days.

Hormones control the menstrual cycle. Hormones are chemicals that the body produces to regulate different body functions. These hormones trigger changes in your uterus. Every month, the lining of your uterus gets thicker to prepare for pregnancy. And every month that you do not get pregnant, your uterus gets rid of its thick lining and cleans itself out. This is your period.

How do I know if my period is not normal?

Periods are different for everyone. Your period may last for a longer or shorter time than usual, and bleeding may be light or heavy.

Signs that your period may not be normal include:

• Bleeding very heavily, such as soaking through a tampon or pad in 1–2 hours.
• Bleeding for many more days than normal.
• Bleeding after you have sex.
• Cramps that are so painful that you cannot do your daily activities.
• Cramps that get much worse than they used to be.
• Bleeding in between periods.
• Missing your period for longer than 3 months.
• Your menstrual cycle becoming irregular, when it used to be regular.

Follow these instructions at home:

• Keep track of your periods by using a calendar.
• If you use tampons, use the least absorbent possible to avoid complications such as toxic shock syndrome.
• Do not leave tampons in the vagina overnight or longer than 8 hours.
• Wear a sanitary pad overnight.
• To help relieve pain and discomfort during your period:
  • Take an over-the-counter pain reliever as told by your health care provider.
  • Use a heating pad or heat wrap on your abdomen to ease cramping.
  • Exercise 3–5 times a week or more.
  • Avoid foods and drinks that you know will make your symptoms worse before or during your period. This includes foods that contain:
    • Caffeine.
    • Salt.
    • Sugar.

Contact a health care provider if:

• You have signs that your period may not be normal.
• You develop a fever with your period.
• Your periods are lasting more than 7 days.
• You develop clots with your period and never had clots before.
• You cannot get relief for your symptoms from over-the-counter medicine.
• Your period has not started, and it has been longer than 35 days.

Get help right away if:

• Your period is so heavy that you have to change pads or tampons every 30 minutes.
• You have any symptoms of toxic shock syndrome (TSS), such as:
  • A high fever.
  • Vomiting or diarrhea.
  • Red skin that looks like a sunburn.
  • Red eyes.
  • Fainting or feeling dizzy.
  • Sore throat.
  • Muscle aches.

If you develop any of these symptoms, visit your health care provider immediately. TSS is a serious health condition that can be caused by wearing a tampon for too long.

Summary

• Menstruation, also known as a menstrual period, is the monthly shedding of the lining of the uterus.
• During your period, you pass blood, tissue, fluid, and mucus out of your vagina.
• Keep track of your periods by using a calendar.
• Contact a health care provider if you have signs that your period may not be normal.