Caitlain's Corner

Sex Education

Menstruation

What is Menstruation
Menstruation is your monthly opportunity to create a baby. When your body first becomes able to produce a child, usually between the ages of 9 and 16, it begins preparation once a month for possible motherhood. This time in your life is known as menarche ("muh-NAR-key"). A tiny egg matures in one of your ovaries, then travels down a fallopian tube toward your uterus. Your uterus, meanwhile, has been preparing for the egg's arrival, and its lining has gotten thick and velvety.

If the arriving egg is fertilized by a sperm, your uterus is all set to protect and nourish the developing baby for the next nine months. If the egg doesn't get fertilized - because there is no sperm present, then your uterus has no use for that thick, spongy lining. So it sheds the lining and flushes it out - along with some blood, body fluids, and the disintegrated egg. For 2 to 6 days each month, all this stuff flows out of your body through your vagina as reddish-brown menstrual flow.

After the onset of menstruation, you'll usually have a menstrual period about every 28 days (except during pregnancy) although your cycle may vary anywhere from 20 to 35 days.

Getting your period is a natural step toward becoming a woman-something to feel positive about. Menstruation is actually just one part, or phase, in a monthly cycle. Each month, a woman's reproductive system repeats a regular pattern of events:

Phase One: The first phase of the menstrual cycle is the three to seven days of menstruation. The first day of menstruation is the first day of the cycle.

Phase Two: Toward the end of menstruation, one of the ovaries begins to prepare an egg (or ovum) for release into one of the fallopian tubes. The endometrium, or lining of the uterus, begins to thicken at the same time, preparing to nourish the egg if it is fertilized.

Phase Three: Around day 14 of a 28-day cycle, ovulation occurs: a ripened egg leaves the ovary and enters the fallopian tube.

Phase Four: The endometrium continues to thicken as the egg moves down the fallopian tube toward the uterus. If the egg isn't fertilized by a sperm cell, it disintegrates; the endometrium is not needed and is shed from the uterus. Menstruation and a new cycle begin again.

The average menstrual cycle is 28 days long for older girls and women, but a cycle from 19 to 35 days is normal. In most cases, a young girl's cycle is not regular at first. Your first periods may last one day or 10 days, and the flow may be very heavy one cycle and light the next. Cycles may be very short, or two to three months long. Young girls may skip one or more periods, followed by a relatively heavy flow the next cycle.

Except during pregnancy, the menstrual cycle normally repeats from menarche, the onset of menstruation, to menopause, when menstruation stops permanently - typically between the ages of 45 and 55. The menstrual cycle may be temporarily altered in times of stress, illness, or by a sudden change in lifestyle.

Girls may experience menstrual cramps, mild or severe abdominal or back pains that accompany menstruation. Cramps are more common in the first years after menarche, and result from contractions of your uterus. If you are prone to painful cramping, over-the-counter medications are available (those containing ibuprofen are commonly recommended). A heating pad and warm bath may also be soothing. If such treatments don't offer relief, consult your family physician.

Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) is another problem some girls experience. During the two weeks before menstruation, they suffer from symptoms such as mood swings, breast tenderness, a feeling of bloatedness and increased emotional sensitivity. Many girls learn to recognize and cope with these physical and emotional changes. Ways to cope include exercising to lessen the tension, eating a well balanced diet, and being sure to get sufficient rest. But for some girls, PMS symptoms occur every month and are severe enough to really affect their lives. If you suffer from PMS and are bothered by the symptoms, talk to your gynecologist.

When will I start my period?
No one can tell you that for sure. Everyone is an individual on a different timetable. Your period may start any time between the ages of 9 and 16. There is no right age or normal age. If you have not had your first period by the age of 16, you should see your doctor however.

What signs should I look for?
Generally, you can expect your first period about two years after your breasts first start to develop, and soon after you have some hair under your arms and in your pubic area. Vaginal discharge is also a good indication that you could begin to menstruate soon.

What will it feel like?
When you first begin your period, you may feel moisture in your underwear. It may not feel much different than the discharge you've had before. Sometimes you can feel the menstrual flow, especially after you've been sitting or lying down for a while. When you stand up, it may feel like a gush. This is because the fluid has been collecting while you were at rest.

Can anyone tell when I have my period?
No one can tell. When you first start wearing feminine protection products, it will be a new feeling. While you may be very aware of your period when you first start having periods, other people won't be.

What if I start my period at school or someplace else?
Consider always carrying an emergency kit in your backpack or purse or keeping one in your locker. This kit can contain a pad or two and a clean pair of underwear. Another option is to look for vending machines in restrooms. At school, you can check with the school nurse or health office.

Can I use tampons?
Yes. Tampons are an effective form of internal protection. They are especially convenient because they allow you to continue all your normal activities, including swimming. Tampons come in several sizes and absorbencies, depending on your body size and menstrual flow. Check with your mom or school nurse before using them for the first time. Be sure to read the directions and change often.

How do I know what products are right for me?
Talk to your mom, school nurse or an adult you feel comfortable talking with to help you choose. Remember, there are a variety of products to choose from. Experiment to find the right system of protection for you from heavy days to light days.

Can I get pregnant while I am on my period?
Yes. It is possible to get pregnant at any point in your cycle.

Is it okay to have sex during menstruation?
Yes, though many people have an aversion to doing so, there is no real harm in having sexual intercourse during your period.

Is it possible to regulate my periods?
Yes. Many girls have problems with the timing of their periods. Your gynecologist can put you on birth control medications that will regulate your cycle.