What Should I Know About Menstruation What Is The Medical Definition It*
*Medical section written by: Charles Patrick Davis, MD, PhD
Everyone who is about to enter puberty should be taught or know the basic medical definition of menstruation and that it is a normal process that females go through as their bodies prepare themselves for potential pregnancy. It is a part of the monthly menstrual cycle that occur in the female reproductive system that makes pregnancy possible.
Medically, menstruation is the process in a woman of discharging blood and other materials from the lining of the uterus at about one monthly interval from puberty until menopause , except during pregnancy. This discharging process lasts about 3-5 days.
What are the signs and symptoms of menstruation?
Beside the bleeding, other signs and symptoms of menstruation may include headache, acne, bloating, pains in the low abdomen, tiredness, mood changes, food cravings, breast soreness, and diarrhea.
Whan does menstruation begin? When does it end?
The menstrual cycle is the hormonal driven cycle Day 1 is the first day of your period while day 14 is the approximate day you ovulate and if an egg is not fertilized, hormone levels eventually drop and at about day 25 the egg begins to dissolve and the cycle begins again with the period at about day 30. Menstruation begins day 1 and normally ends days 3-5 of the menstrual cycle.
At what age do girls go through puberty and begin and start their period ?
How long does a period last?
What is toxic shock syndrome? Is it life threatening?
What Are The Ba4 And Ba5 Subvariants
Both BA.4 and BA.5 are considered part of the “original” omicron variant family. They’re newer versions of the virus that causes COVID-19. BA.5 quickly overtook the conversation and is now the dominant variant in the US.
While we’re still living out the true effects of a BA.5 summer surge in the US, the new subvariant is thought to whittle away much of the infection protection people got from prior sickness, even with other omicron variants.
Omicron caused such a huge number of cases last winter because it was the most contagious variant to date, evading some infection protection from prior illness and effectiveness of the vaccines. The fact that newer versions of omicron are proving to be even more contagious isn’t a big surprise, as this is the path COVID-19 has taken over the last two and half years.
A Very Early Or Very Late Period Means More Risk Of Heart Disease
So far, so OK. But what happens if your menarche happens way outside the normal range? Say, before the age of 10, or after 17? The bad news is that, if you ask a study published in 2014, abnormalities in your first period age are indicators of a nasty possibility in adulthood: heart disease.
The scientists observed a whopping 1.3 million women to see what impact having a seriously early or late period might have on heart health. The results arent stellar: If you fall into either of those abnormal menarche groups, youre 27 percent more likely than normal period-starters to be hospitalized for or die from heart disease. The researchers think that its because weight problems , and corresponding pressure on the heart, can push menarche in radically weird directions.
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Getting Your Period: What Is A Normal Menstrual Cycle For Teens And Preteens
While entering puberty is a natural part of growing up, the physical changes it brings can be unsettling. For those who menstruate, experiencing a period for the first time can raise a lot of questions about whether whats going on is normal or not. As pediatricians who specialize in gynecology and blood conditions, were here to help you and your child navigate and understand those early cycles.
How Do I Use A Tampon
Inserting a tampon for the first time can be a bit of a challenge. Its hard to know exactly how to position your body and at what angle to put the tampon in. After a few tries, you will figure out what works best for you. Its best to use slender size tampons when you are learning. If you arent exactly sure where your vaginal opening is, use a mirror to have a look at your vulva .
To insert a tampon that has an applicator:
To insert a tampon without an applicator:
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Whats The Connection Between Puberty And Breast Development
Breast development is often the first sign of puberty. Breasts may start developing 2 to 2 1/2 years before a girl gets her period.
Some girls may notice breast buds only a year after their first periods. Others may not begin developing breasts for three to four years after beginning menstruation.
The buds may not appear at the same time, but they usually appear within six months of one another.
How Often Should I Change My Pad Tampon Menstrual Cup Sponge Or Period Panties
Follow the instructions that came with your period product. Try to change or rinse your feminine hygiene product before it becomes soaked through or full.
- Most women change their pads every few hours.
- A tampon should not be worn for more than 8 hours because of the risk of toxic shock syndrome
- Menstrual cups and sponges may only need to be rinsed once or twice a day.
- Period panties can usually last about a day, depending on the style and your flow.
Use a product appropriate in size and absorbency for your menstrual bleeding. The amount of menstrual blood usually changes during a period. Some women use different products on different days of their period, depending on how heavy or light the bleeding is.
Read Also: How Do You Calculate Your Period Cycle Length
Why Do Girls Get Periods
A period happens because of changes in hormones in the body. Hormones give messages to the body. These hormones cause the lining of the uterus to build up. This gets the uterus ready for an egg and sperm to attach and grow into a baby. If the woman does not get pregnant, the lining breaks down and bleeds. This same process happens every month. That is why most girls and women get their periods around once a month.
Further Reading For Girls
- “Susan’s Growing Up” is a picture book about periods that has been specially developed for people with learning disabilities. It’s from the Books Beyond Words series from the Royal College of Psychiatrists.
- “The Period Book: Everything You Don’t Want to Ask “ by Karen Gravelle, and published by Piatkus, is a well-known book for any girl approaching puberty. It explains what to expect and how to cope with periods.
Page last reviewed: 05 August 2019 Next review due: 05 August 2022
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What Are The Signs Of An Abnormal Period And When Should We Talk To Our Pediatrician
Abnormal periods can be caused by everything from lifestyle factors such as stress and exercise levels to underlying medical conditions such as a bleeding disorder or hormonal abnormalities. It can take a few years for the menstrual cycle to stabilize, so it might not be obvious right away if your child is experiencing abnormal periods, but there are some signs that you can watch out for.
Make an appointment for your child to see their pediatrician if you observe any of the following:
- Reaching the age of 15 without having a period
- Having a period before the age of 8
- Experiencing irregular cycles more than two years after starting their period
- Experiencing very heavy bleeding or severe cramps that dont improve with painkillers
- Having very long periods
- Experiencing severe PMS symptoms that make it hard for your child to get through their day
These symptoms dont necessarily indicate that anything is wrong, but its good to speak with a healthcare provider just to make sure. A healthcare provider can help you and your child determine what next steps need to be taken to ensure their health and wellbeing.
If your child also has other types of bleeding such as nosebleeds, frequent gum bleeding, easy bruising or bleeding after tooth extraction or surgery, or any family history of bleeding, you may want to discuss with your pediatrician whether testing for an inherited or acquired bleeding disorder is needed.
Menstruation And The First Period: What Girls Should Know
âWhat are these, Mommy?â asked the 7-year-old girl, reaching into their motherâs vanity drawer and pulling out a box of tampons. Caught unprepared to talk about puberty and menstruation, their mother improvised. âUmâ¦theyâre windshield wiper cleaners, honey.â
Will you be more ready than that when itâs time to talk to your daughter about their first period? That time may come sooner than you think.
Although a girlâs first period usually occurs at about age 12, some girls experience their first period much earlier. And even before they get their first period, your daughter will be noticing other changes in their body: Recent studies show that most girls start developing breast buds sometime between age 9 and 10.
When that happens, youâll know that their first period may not be far off: The development of breast buds usually precedes a girlsâ first period by about two years, while pubic and underarm hair usually begins to appear about six months before the onset of menstruation.
âA girlâs first period should actually be a milestone in a series of talks over many years about normal development physical changes and psychological changes,â says Karen Zager, PhD, a psychologist in private practice in New York City and co-author of The Inside Story on Teen Girls: Experts Answer Parentsâ Questions. âAll of that should start when theyâre very young, in age-appropriate ways.â
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What Are First Periods Like
The first menstrual period may be lighter and shorter than future periods. Most women have a cycle length of around 28 days, though a slightly longer or shorter cycle is considered normal, particularly if it is consistent. However, the first few periods may be irregular. After a while – up to 2 years – periods become more consistent in both frequency and duration . The average period lasts five days but may last only 3 or 4 days or seven full days, depending.
What If I Bleed Through My Clothes Are They Ruined
Not necessarily! Before we get into the nitty-gritty, know that leaks happen to everyone.
When you first start your period, youre learning about how much you bleed, how much your menstrual product can hold, and when your flow is heaviest.
If you can, keep a couple of stain wipes in your bag. They can help get the worst of the stain out and hold things over until youre able to clean the fabric properly.
You can also tie a jacket or sweatshirt around your waist to help cover the stain until youre able to change.
When you get home, try this method to get blood stains off:
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S Of Menstrual Suppression
| What to expect after the first 3-6 months | ||
|---|---|---|
| Pill | Take 1 pill every day |
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| Vaginal ring | ||
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| Doctor places inside the uterus IUD works for 5 years |
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| Doctor places under skin of arm implant works for 3 years |
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At What Age Do You Get Your First Period Top
Usually, girls get their periods between ages 12 and 14, but it can happen years before or after that. Dont worry if you get your period later or earlier than your friends get theirs that happens a lot. If you havent gotten your period by age 15 , talk to your parents or guardians, your doctor, or another adult you trust.
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What Should I Do When My Child Starts Their Period
It is best to be prepared for your childs first period by having menstrual hygiene supplies in the home, and discussing what they should expect to experience before their period begins, so that it is not a complete surprise. Make sure they understand what causes a period, what kinds of symptoms they might experience, and most importantly that they know that periods are a normal and healthy part of having a female body. You might wish to put together a period preparation kit that they can keep in their locker or backpack, with a couple of menstrual pads, wet wipes and a clean pair of underwear, in case their first period arrives while they are in school.
The key is to help your child view this transition toward adulthood as a positive and natural event, not something that is shameful or embarrassing.
It can be helpful to celebrate or mark the first period in some significant way, such as with a card, a favorite sweet treat, or an at-home spa night. If your child is interested, you might also consider a larger celebration, such as a party or sleepover with your childs friends. The key is to help your child view this transition toward adulthood as a positive and natural event, not something that is shameful or embarrassing.
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When Will I Get My First Period
There’s no way to know exactly when you’ll get your first period. One day, youll see blood in your underwear or on your sheets, and boom there it is! There may be signs of your first period , but this doesnt happen for everyone.
Most people get their first period between ages 12 and 15, but some people get theirs earlier or later than that. Your period might start around the time it did for other people youre related to, like your mom or sisters. If you don’t get your period by the time you’re 16, its a good idea to go to your doctor or a Planned Parenthood health center just to make sure everythings okay.
Its totally normal to be anxious or curious about getting your period, but try not to stress about it too much. Everyones body is different, so everyone starts their periods at different times. You never know when its going to show up, so carrying a tampon, period underwear, or a pad in your bag can help you feel more ready for when your first period comes.