Quickobook Presents: All You Need to Know About Periods
Mensturation is also called as periods. It is that time of month when Girls have to pass through a natural biological process of monthly shedding of the endometrium which is also called as uterine lining. Now the question arises is what endometrium basically is? So, It is present in the female reproductive system as a very important role holder in the form of the innermost lining layer of the uterus. Mensturation is a natural and essential process which is completely a normal thing, yet in our society it is still treated as a sensitive topic. This blog is dedicated to every girl,women,ladies as a complete guidebook so that under the curtains of myths, missinformations they don’t have to hide behind with embarrassment.
What are Periods?
A natural and regular part of the female reproductive system and happens when the body sheds the lining of the uterus (womb) through the vagina. The lining of the uterus is made up of blood and tissue and releasing of that is called as a part of mensturational cycle. It usually happens once in every month. It begins during Puberty, between the age of 9 to 16 and continues until menopause, till the age of 45 to 55 years.
Basically this is a 28-35 day cycle which prepares the female body for pregnancy, but if pregnancy does not ocuurs, the body releases blood, tissue and mucus through the vagina and this complete process is called as periods.
Why Periods Happen – Explained by a Gynecologist
Periods happens to prepare the body for pregnancy, but when pregnancy is not found then the extra lining gets removed through mensturation. It is the body’s way of Resetting itself each month and maintaining hormonal balance. What regulates the menstrual cycle? The answer to the following question is it is regulated by hormones named as Estrogen and Progesterone.
The cycle evolves in 4 steps –
- Ovulation – releasing of egg from the ovary.
- Uterine lining build up – the body prepares for potential pregnancy.
- No fertilization – if the released egg isn’t fertilized, hormone level drops.
- Mensturation begins – the uterus sheds its lining.
This cycle keeps on repeating every month.
How many days the periods cycle takes?
The average period lasts 3 to 7 days. The cycle of one period to the next is around 28 days but anything in between 21 to 35 days in considered as normal. There is a probability of irregular periods too especially during the first few years after puberty or before menopause but if it is constantly happening, then one must consult to a doctor.
Symptoms of periods
A range of physical and emotional symptoms before and during periods are there, such as
- Cramps
Cramps at the time of mensturation is also named as dysmenorrhea. What it actually is? It is one of the most common and painful symptoms of periods. How does cramos occurs? It takes place in the lower abdomen or lower back part of the human body. This pain feel like a heavy and dull ache and sometimes so intense that it will start making one feel discomfort and hard to focus or move around and do our daily life activities. Now the question arises that why it happens? During mensturation the uterus contracts to help shed its lining. These contractions are triggered by hormone – like substances named as prostaglandins. The level of prostaglandins decides the level of strong and low power of painful contractions.
How to deal with cramps?
- One can apply a heating pad to the stomach or back to get relief from the pain.
- Light exercise or stretching is a helpful thing
- Drinking warm fluids
- Taking over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen with doctor’s advice by visiting nearby doctors.
- Bloating
Bloating means having a feel of fullness, tightness or swelling in the abdomen. In simple words during this , one individuals clothes may feel tighter than usual and stomach might looked puffed up. Bloating is caused by hormonal changes which leads to water retention in the body. The hormone which is called as progestetrone can slow digestions and cause gas or constipation in the stomach.
How to deal with bloating?
- By reducing and less eating of salty and processed foods
- Drinking plenty of water which is the most important and vital step for humans.
- One should avoid carbonated drinks.
- One should follow the diet of having high fiber foods to improve digestion.
- Breast Tenderness
Sudden sore, swollen or sensitive breast issues can be faced by females before and during periods. This is also named as cyclical breast pain. This tenderness happens because of the fluctuating estrogen and progesterone levels. These hormones stimulates the breast tissue, causing swelling and with discomfort.
How to deal with breast tenderness?
- Wearing a comfortable bra.
- Applying cold and warm compress.
- Limiting caffine and fatty foods.
- Taking painkillers if needed with doctors advice by visiting nearby doctors.
- Mood swings
Mood swings or sudden changes in the way of behavior or feeling. The sudden switch in emotional feelings such as feeling very happy and excited for one moment and then all of a sudden feeling sad or angry the next is known as mood swings. One may also feel anxious, emotional or sensitive at that time. Hormonal changes especially the drop in serotonin level affects the brain chemistry and mood regulation. It is named as PMS – premenstrual syndrome.
How to deal with mood swings?
- Getting enough and good sleep helps to reduce mood swings.
- Focusing in ones hobbies or doing physical activities like walking or yoga.
- Practicing deep breathing or relaxation techniques.
- Talking to someone you trust about how you are feeling , or sharing your thoughts.
- Acne
Pimples during periods are very common and normal too. These are called as hormonal acne and usually appearing on the chin, jawline or forehead. Hormonal fluctuations increases and it is known as sebum – oil production which clogs the pores and leads to acne. Androgen is one of the most important role holder here.
How to deal with acne? Or How to deal with pimple?
- One should wash face twice daily with a gentle cleanser.
- One should Avoid oily or sugary foods.
- Not touching or popping pimples
- Use acne creams or treatments if recommended by a doctor
- Fatigue
It is a feeling of low energy feeling weakness, exhausted, tired and having a sleepy vibe or full of laziness or unable to focus during periods. Generally it happens due to the ongoing blood loss, low iron level and hormonal changes leading a drop in level of energy. Poor sleep or cramps can also contribute to tiredness in fatigue.
How to deal with Fatigue?
- Having iron rich meals.
- Drinking enough water.
- Taking shot naps.
- Ensuring quality sleep at night.
- Backpain
One individual may feel lower back pain during their periods. The pain may sometimes feel like dull, too much,constant or unbearable. Just like cramps, back pain also is caused by uterine contractions. with time this contractions can spread pain to nearby muscles in the lower back and hips.
How to deal with backpain?
- Applying a heating pad or warm towel to the back.
- Practicing light yogasanas.
- Having Dark chocolate as they are rich in magnesium.
- Taking pain relief medication if necessary by consulting a nearby doctor.
- Headaches
One individual during periods can get headaches or migraines, which are often known as hormonal headaches. The drop in estrogen levels before and during period days can trigger headaches followed by dehydration and lack of sleep which surely leads to more worsen situation.
How to deal with headaches?
- Stay hydrated
- Avoid caffeine or sugary foods and huge screentimes
- Taking rest in a quite space
- Using doctor approved medication for migrants.
All these symptoms are common and natural but as not all fingers of a hand is not same like these only these symptoms may vary from person to person. Some will face much pain and some less. If any symptom feels much severe or not bearable then one should contact and consult with a doctor.
How to maintain hygiene during periods?
Maintaining Mensturational hygiene is one of the most important to get safe from infections, diseases and a step towards choosing comfort. If we don’t maintain hygiene then there are strong possibilities to get into many diseases. Having a neat and clean schedule can save us from being in trouble.
Steps to maintain hygiene -
- Using the correct Menstrual product as per our body.
- Sanitary pads
- Tampons
- Menstural cups
- Period panties
- Change regularly
- Change pads/tampons every 4 – 6 hours.
- Change menstural cups every 6 – 8 hours.
- Stay clean
- Wash the genital area with warm water
- Avoid using strong soaps or perfumes which can disturb body’s Ph balance.
- Dispose properly
- Wrap used pads/tampons in a paper and discard them in the trash.
- Never flush them down the toilet.
Periods Myths and facts
- Period blood is dirty or impure
Not at all, period blood is not dirty or impure or unclean, it is natural mix of uterine lining, tissue, mucus and blood. In many places, in todays time also periods are still strated as a social restriction or impure leading to harmful practices like isolating a female, but there is no scientific or proven or unhygienic basis reason of calling it dirty.
Washing with water and changing menstural product regularly is enough hygienic.
- You can’t swim or exercise in periods
Both swimming and excercising during periods is not only safe but is also beneficial as the water pressure helps in temporarily slowing down the menstural flow and using tampons, cups or period swimwear can help in preventing leakage. Doing light exercises are advisable during periods if one is having cramps or facing backpains.
- Periods must come in every 28 days
A normal periods cycle’s ranges from 21-35 days, and for adolescents – the period of transistion between childhood to adulthood is of 45 days, which is common. Cycle lengths vary because of stress, diet, hormones and age. It is not Unusual for teenagers to have irregular cycle for first few ages, but if the cycle is very much irregular then its advisable to consult a doctor as it may be a cause of PCOD or Thyroid imbalances.
- One cannot get pregnant during periods
Pregnancy is possible during periods too. Sperm can survive in the reproductive system for upto 5 days. If someone ovulates write after there periods, sex during mensturation can lead to pregnancy.
- Periods can synchronize among friends
There is no scientific evidence which supports this synchronization. It is a coincidence. It may seem like people living together or spending time closely shares the same period dates , science did not got any such consistent evidence. Periods cycle naturally vary in length so any alignment is a probable coincidence rather than hormonal influence.
- One shouldn’t take shower or wash hair during periods
Having a shower daily and washing hairs frequently during periods are perfectly safe and not a matter to avoid or worry as it is a clear step towards hygiene. Warm baths can help in relaxing muscles and reduces cramps.
- Curds and pickles should be avoided during periods
There are no specific proven affects found that having curd and pickles is bad for ones health. While individual sensitivities to spicy and sour foods can lead to bloating or acidity which can take one to discomfort but diet choices should be based on how one feels and chooses to take.
There are a lot of myths created by peoples but one should know and choose wisely according to ones body capability.
When to see a doctor?
One should consult a doctor if
- Periods is very irregular
- Misses periods for 3 months and is not pregnant
- Periods started before age 9 or haven’t started by 16
Perimenopause
Perimenopause sometimes also known as ‘meno’ is the upcoming transistion phase before menopause. The age line here when it can begin is in the 40s or in late 30s and lasts for several years. Hormonal changes such as estrogen and progesterone fluctuates unpredictably here but ovulation can still occur but it will also be irregular.
Common symptoms
- Irregular periods
- Hot flashes
- Night sweats
- Mood changes or irritability
- Fatigue or sleep problmes
- Vaginal dryness
- Decreased libido
- Weight gain or hair thining
Duration
- Perimenopause can last 4 to 10 years
- It ends when a person goes 12 months without having periods leading to menopause.
Menopause
Menopause is when periods stops permenantly and the reproductive year ends. When a individual is not having periods since 12 months then it is considered that she has been reached at her menopause. It happens because the ovaries stops to release eggs. Estrogen and progesterone level drops and fertility ends. Menopause happens commonly between the age of 45 to 55 and the average age is of 51 years.
Common symptoms
- Hot flashes
- Mood swings
- Insomnia
- Joint pain
- Memory issues
- Vaginal dryness
- Lower bone density
Conclusion
Mensturation, perimenopause and menopause are all natural stages in a female’s reproductive journey. Each stage brings changes so one should be aware with this knowledge that what happens because of what, why, how and when. How to tackle the situations and knowing when to visit the doctor. There are a lot of myths created by the humans, society based on religion beliefs but one should know that is it even true or not. Isolating one female during periods and tagging her as impure is not a right solution to do. Every individuals body have to face there respective biological process. And period is not a matter of shame or embarrassment.