Menstruation by paadmin 2024-09-03 7.2K Menstruation Menstruation (or your period) is when your body bleeds from the uterus each month due to hormone changes. This is a normal part of growing up. Home / Body/Menstruation Menstruation (or your period) is when your body bleeds from the uterus each month due to hormone changes. This is a normal part of growing up.When you’re born, you already have millions of immature eggs in your ovaries. As you reach puberty, hormones start to make some of these eggs grow each month. Usually, only one egg fully matures and leaves the uterus (this is called ovulation) to prepare for pregnancy. At the same time, the lining of the uterus thickens to support a pregnancy. If the egg isn’t fertilized, the thickened lining will shed about two weeks after ovulation, causing your period. When Do You Get Your First Period? Your first period, called menarche, usually happens between ages 10 and 15. In the beginning, your menstrual cycle may be irregular due to changing hormone levels and physical development. Over time, it usually becomes more regular, with an average cycle of about 28 days. However, it’s normal for some people to have cycles that are longer or shorter than this.We often refer to having your period with phrases like “got my period,” “Aunt Flo is here,” or simply “period.” It’s a good idea to track your menstrual cycle using a free app. This can help you know your average cycle length, predict ovulation, and provide useful information to your doctor if needed.During your period, you might notice physical and emotional changes. Physically, you might experience cramps, breast tenderness, back pain, and a reduced appetite. Emotionally, you might feel down, anxious, irritable, or moody, and these feelings can vary from person to person.Be Aware:If you have very heavy bleeding or your period lasts more than 7 days, you should see a doctor.If menstrual cramps are affecting your daily life, consult with a doctor. Menstrual Products There are different types of menstrual products you can use: Disposable Products Panty Liners Made from absorbent materials and worn in your underwear to catch light flow or discharge. Useful for everyday use or at the end of your period. Suitable for light and thick discharge or a small amount of blood. Sanitary Pads Absorbent pads that stick to your underwear and catch menstrual blood. Convenient and available in various sizes and absorbencies. Come in different sizes for day and night use. They are categorized based on how much flow they can handle: regular, medium, and heavy flow. Recommended to change every 2-4 hours during the day to prevent infection from moisture. Tampons Small, absorbent items placed inside the vagina to catch menstrual blood. Available with applicators or as “finger insert” types, and come with a string for easy removal. Change every 4-8 hours; do not leave in longer to avoid infection. Disposable period products don’t stay sterile for long, so make sure to check the expiration date when you buy them. Disposable Pads and Sanitary Napkins Pros Easy to use, no need to insert into the vagina. Simple to store with flat packaging that fits into bags or pockets. Single-use, so no cleaning needed between uses. Easy to buy Generally cheaper for first-time purchase compared to reusable products. Cons Made with materials that might feel uncomfortable or too warm, possibly leading to irritation or infections. May shift or leak during movement or exercise. Not suitable for water sports. Not environmentally friendly; usually not reusable and not biodegradable. Disposable Tampons Pros If inserted correctly, you won’t feel them. Compact and easy to store in bags or pockets. Can be used for water sports. Single-use, so no cleaning required between uses. Generally cheaper for first-time purchase compared to reusable products. Cons Can be difficult to use for some people; insertion and removal might be uncomfortable. Harder to tell when they need changing because you can’t see them. Not environmentally friendly; usually not reusable and not biodegradable. Keeping a tampon in for too long can increase the risk of toxic shock syndrome. Reusable Products Cloth Pads Made from fabric, you attach it to your underwear to "catch" menstrual blood. Convenient to use, with various designs available. Comes in different sizes for day and night use, and in different absorbencies like pantyliner, regular, and heavy flow. Should be changed every 2-3 hours; not recommended for use longer than 3 hours. Needs to be cleaned after each use. Menstrual Cups Made from flexible materials like rubber or silicone, placed in the vagina to collect blood and prevent leakage. Forms a seal in the vagina to stop leaks. Available in different sizes; a larger capacity cup can be used for up to twelve hours, depending on the size. Not suitable for people allergic to silicone or rubber. Must be cleaned after each use. Menstrual Underwear Underwear with built-in absorbent layers. Made from multi-layered fabric designed to absorb and prevent leaks. Fabric absorbs menstrual blood and prevents it from leaking. Can hold the equivalent of about three regular sanitary pads. Can be used with other menstrual products and worn all day. Needs to be cleaned after each use. Cloth Sanitary Pads Pros No need to insert into the vagina, easy to use. Easy to store due to flat design, fits easily into bags and pockets. Easy to clean; soak with baking soda and then wash with detergent. Reusable, saving money and being more environmentally friendly in the long run. Softer and more breathable, less likely to cause skin irritation. Cons Requires time to clean and dry; need to carry a bag for used pads when out. Can shift or leak during movement or exercise. Not suitable for water sports. Requires buying a larger quantity upfront, which can be expensive initially. Menstrual Cups Pros Once inserted correctly, you won't feel it. Easy to clean; soak with baking soda and then wash with detergent. Large absorbency, fewer changes needed, less likely to leak. Can be used for water sports. Reusable, saving money and being more environmentally friendly in the long run. Cons Can be difficult to use for some people, may feel uncomfortable when inserting or removing. Harder to tell when it needs to be changed because you can't see it. Risk of toxic shock syndrome if left in too long; should be changed at least every 12 hours. Requires cleaning, which may be challenging if you need to carry water for rinsing. Menstrual Underwear Pros No need to insert into the vagina, easy to use. Easy to clean; soak with baking soda and then wash with detergent. Large absorbency, fewer changes needed, less likely to leak. Reusable, saving money and being more environmentally friendly in the long run. Cons Takes time to clean and dry. Requires buying a larger quantity initially, which can be expensive. May need additional menstrual products for emergencies when out. Not suitable for water activities. Share Select Topic Why Are Girls’ Appearances and Bodies Constantly Watched... Masturbation Taking Care of Your Private Parts