What is a period?
Menstruation, often called your period, is the monthly process where your uterus sheds its lining if you’re not pregnant. This means that every month, you’ll have a combination of blood and tissue flowing out of your body through the vagina. It’s all controlled by hormones that act like messengers in your body. These hormones are released by your brain and ovaries and help prepare your body for a possible pregnancy.
How do periods work?
A menstrual cycle is the time from the first day of your period to the day before your next one. While the average cycle lasts about 28 days, it’s perfectly normal for it to be anywhere from 21 to 35 days long. When it comes to bleeding, most people experience their period for about three to seven days.
Your menstrual cycle has four main phases:
1. Menses Phase: This is where it all starts. If you’re not pregnant, your uterine lining sheds, and that’s your period. Most people bleed between three and five days, but three to seven days is totally normal.
2. Follicular Phase: This phase kicks off on the first day of your period. Your body starts making estrogen, which helps the uterus lining grow thicker again, while your ovaries get ready to release an egg.
3. Ovulation: Around day 14 of a typical cycle, your body gets a hormone boost that prompts the ovary to release a mature egg.
4. Luteal Phase: This phase is when the fertilized egg travels to your uterus. If it doesn’t find sperm and isn’t fertilized, your hormone levels drop, and your body gets ready to start the cycle over again.
Most people start their periods around age 12, but it can be anywhere from 8 to 16. Menopause typically happens around age 51, marking the end of your menstrual cycles.
What are the symptoms of a period?
Symptoms vary, but many people experience cramps, mood swings, headaches, and breast tenderness during their period. Some people experience debilitating symptoms which are often linked to disorders like PMDD, PCOS and endometriosis to name a few. It’s also normal for your period to change over time – especially during life events like pregnancy or menopause.
When to seek help?
If your periods ever feel really off – being very irregular, lasting too long, or causing severe pain – it’s a good idea to chat with a healthcare provider. Keeping track of your cycle can help you understand what’s normal for you and can be useful for planning your life around your period. Knowing your body can also help you advocate for yourself better! Remember, it’s all part of a natural process that many people experience, so don’t hesitate to reach out for support if you need it!
