What is menstruation?
Menstruation, often called a “period,” is a natural process that happens to most girls and women, signaling that the body is working properly and getting ready for the possibility of having a baby in the future.
About once a month, the body prepares for a possible pregnancy by thickening the lining of the uterus. If there is no pregnancy, the body sheds this extra lining, which we see as menstrual blood.
A period usually lasts between 3 to 7 days, with an average of 2 to 3 tablespoons of blood over the entire period.
Most girls start their periods between the ages of 9 and 16, experiencing signs like stomach cramps, mood swings, and bloating. Menstruation is a normal and healthy part of life, indicating that the body is functioning as it should.
Explain simply – Why periods happen?
Simply put, every month a girl’s/woman’s body prepares itself to welcome a baby. In anticipation, the uterus creates a spongy, cushy bed on its inner lining (endometrium) which is made of blood, tissue and mucous so that the fertilized ova can rest on it comfortably.
When there is no baby formed that month, the body does not need that thickened lining anymore and discards it by breaking it down in the form of period blood.
Why does it smell when we are on our period?
Actually, it shouldn’t! Menstrual odor happens when menstrual fluid comes in contact with air and stays inside a pad or cloth for a very long time. But when menstrual fluid is absorbed within the vagina, like through a tampon, or is collected in a menstrual cup, it is not exposed to the air, so there shouldn’t be an odor. To avoid unpleasant odour, change the pad/cloth frequently to help keep the odor at bay.
Why does having a period hurt?
Menstruation itself doesn’t hurt, but some girls and women get cramps or other symptoms during their periods that may be uncomfortable. This is typically due to the hormones body releases during menstruation that cause the uterus to contract so it can shed its lining.
How much blood do I lose during my period?
Most girls lose about 1/4 cup of menstrual fluid (40-50 ml/3-5 table spoon) during their period. Thankfully, our body makes up for the loss on its own in sometime .
Sometimes, I get white stuff in my underwear. Is that normal?
Yes, it’s absolutely normal to experience a some amount of white discharge. It varies throughout your cycle. It can be more at the beginning or end of your menstrual cycle. Production of white discharge is our vagina’s own way of cleaning itself. However, if the discharge is accompanied by itching and changes its color to yellow, green, brown or becomes thick and curd-like in consistency or appearance, it’s not normal and needs treatment. This type of discharge may be a sign of a yeast infection.