About the Menstrual Cycle

Menstruation derives from the Latin word menses, translated into English to mean month. Menstruation is a fertile woman's monthly bleeding cycle or period that is essential for reproduction. During your period, the lining of the uterus is shed, and expelled through the cervix along with menstrual blood. A menstrual period normally lasts about 21 to 35 days for adults, and 21 to 45 days for teenagers. The standard length is usually generalized as 28 days.

Menstrual Cycle Ages

• Generally, a menstrual cycle starts between the ages of eight and 15, with the average age being 12. Menstruation lasts until menopause begins, which occurs between the ages of 45 to 55. Menopause happens when your ovaries stop producing eggs, which ends your fertile years.

During Menstruation

• The female hormone estrogen increases in amount, causing the lining of your uterus to thicken. Simultaneously, an egg (ovum) is formed in one of your ovaries. Once the egg ripens, about 14 days into the cycle, it is released from the ovary into the fallopian tube in a process known as ovulation. The egg journeys through the fallopian tube into the uterus to prepare for fertilization. During this process, conception is possible and remains so for approximately three days. If fertilization does not take place, the egg will disintegrate, estrogen levels will decrease and the uterine lining will shed along with the menstrual blood. These objects pass through an opening in the cervix, and through the vaginal canal; this process is what is menstruation.

Problems

• A common problem for young women who menstruate is dysmenorrhea. Diagnosis of dysmenorrhea occurs when a women experiences menstrual pain and severe cramping. This happens for two reasons: an excessive amount of the chemical prostaglandin secreted in teenagers, and diseases such as fibroids or endometriosis in older women. Another common problem is abnormal uterine bleeding. It's classified as bleeding in between periods, having periods too close together, heavy bleeding or long cycles. The causes of this abnormal bleeding can be due to medical conditions such as polyps (cysts formed on the uterine lining), uterine fibroids and cancer. In-between bleeding can also be a side effect of certain birth control pills.

Lack of Menstruation

• Your period may vary in length from month to month as well as intensity. Some bleeding (known as flow) will be light, moderate or heavy. The length of a menstrual period can last anywhere from two to five days, or sometimes longer, but some conditions may cause your period to stop temporarily. One such condition is amenorrhea, which is defined as the lack of a period. This happens in women who haven't menstruated by the age of 15, women who normally menstruate but haven't in three months and women who haven't had a period for 90 days even after coming to the age of menstruation. Most causes include hormonal disorders such as polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), women who are pregnant or breastfeeding, women who are under excessive stress and those that are on extreme diets.

Products

• Every cycle is different and every woman's body is different, so it's no surprise that there are many different kinds of products for menstruation. Tampons have become a popular choice for younger women, since they are compact and make it easier to do things that you cannot in pads such as swimming, and dancing and gymnastics. You have to remember to change them every four to eight hours or you run the risk of getting a very dangerous condition called TSS or Toxic Shock Syndrome. This rarity happens when toxins get absorbed into your blood stream, in this case, the toxins would come from bacteria produced in the menstrual blood fed by the tampon itself. The other option is pads that differ in size and volume. Pads can come with wings, to protect your underwear from staining; some are ultra thick or ultra thin to insure maximum comfort and absorption.