Menstruation (menstruation): onset, cycle, signs and hygiene during menstruation

Menstruation is the name for physiological uterine bleeding that occurs monthly to almost all females that belong to placental species of mammals, including humans.

Menstrual days occur not only in women, but also in primates, bats and jumping mice.

Throughout the entire menstrual cycle, complex sequential processes occur in the female body, which have been formed over millions of years of evolution so that a person can reproduce similar offspring.

On the other hand, girls' periods also perform a protective function. To understand why menstruation occurs and why periods are needed in general, you need to know what happens to the body throughout the entire menstrual cycle.

In this article we will present all the information about menstruation: what it is, what is its function, what characteristics should be normal and what is considered a deviation.

When do girls' first periods begin?

The normal age range of occurrence in a teenager is from 12 to 15 years. Often, the initial discharge appears in a young girl at the same age in which her mother had it.

Deviation in the occurrence of discharge from the specified age interval of 1 year is an acceptable phenomenon in adolescence.

Some studies link the onset of menstruation to reaching a certain weight value = 47 kg. In accordance with this, we can conclude that thin girls get their periods a little later than overweight girls.

If discharge occurs before 9 years of age or does not occur after 16 years of age, you should take this alarming signal, and if it appears, it is recommended to immediately arrange a visit to a medical specialist.

How does the first period begin?

Discomfortable sensations in the abdominal area will serve as the first signal that premenstrual syndrome is occurring.

Typical symptoms for this:

• sudden changes in mood;
• strong level of irritation and desire to cry;
• fatigue and apathetic mood.

If traces of brown or red color are found on your underwear, this is an indication that the menstrual process has begun. You should not be afraid of the volume of discharge; a large amount of it is normal.

There is no standard here; this happens on an individual basis for everyone. In this case, pain in the lower abdomen may occur. In many ways, this depends on heredity and the way the menstrual process goes through a young girl is similar to how it went through her mother.

PMS - relaxation

Relaxing breathing exercises are perfect for strengthening the nervous system.

1. Lie on your side in the fetal position.
2. Use your big toe and second toe to grasp the Achilles tendon area of ​​the leg lying on the floor.
3. Close your eyes and slowly rock back and forth for a few minutes, pressing on the Achilles tendon area. It is in this place that the points are located, the impact of which alleviates the symptoms of PMS, calms the nervous system and relieves fatigue.
4. Roll over to the other side and repeat the exercise on the other leg.
5. After completing the exercise, close your eyes, lie on your back and relax.

What does a girl's first period look like?

Brownish or red discharge is the first symptom indicating the onset of the menstrual process.

In this case, the color of the discharge may not be stable and may change, depending on what day of the cycle it is. The color of the discharge can be red, brown or dark brown.

The most initial ones can be different, because not only blood makes up them, but also the layer of the mucous membrane of the uterus (endometrium), as well as vaginal discharge.

The intensity level of the initial menstruation is not too great. But depending on hereditary predisposition, the opposite may also occur.

You should not worry about this, since this is a completely normal phenomenon.

What are periods?

Menstruation is an interval of the menstrual cycle. During this interval, the female representative experiences bleeding from the vaginal part. They are distinguished by their thickness and dark color.

If the discharge includes blood accumulations or lumps, this is normal; such elements are formed due to the fact that not only blood, but part of the elements of the uterus (endometrium) is released from the uterine cavity.

How long does menstruation last?

The standard value at which you should not worry is 3-7 days.

In the first few days, the strongest discharge is observed; towards the end, it weakens more. On the last day there was almost no discharge.

The duration interval during the first cycle of such days (from the beginning of the first cycle to the transition to the second) is not fixed and each girl has her own.

The average duration is 28 days, but fluctuations are allowed from 21 to 35 days.

These values ​​may change if the girl had stressful situations or had to move from one city to another (change in climatic conditions).

Girls should be wary of the following changes in their cycle

• the duration of the menstrual cycle has become more than 35 days or less than 21;
• in the middle of the cycle, uterine bleeding or scanty spotting appeared;
• critical days come at different intervals;
• heavy menstruation has begun, during which the pads are not enough for 2 hours;
• if bleeding continues for more than a week;
• if you haven’t had your period for 3 months and the pregnancy test is negative;
• if your periods are very scanty and pass in 1-2 days;
• during menstruation, the lower abdomen hurts very much, and the woman loses her ability to work;
• body temperature rises;
• if premenstrual syndrome is severe.

Only a gynecologist will be able to determine the exact reasons why a woman has menstrual irregularities. After a series of diagnostic measures, the doctor selects an individual course of treatment and gives general recommendations to the patient.

What to do if your period starts?

Some periods can come completely suddenly and take the girl by surprise. No need to worry. Constant use of panty liners will give you confidence.

In addition, you can take tampons or standard pads with you. This will increase preparedness in case of unexpected discharge and allow you to quickly take the necessary measures for continued comfort.

It's normal to feel nervous, especially during your first period.

But to minimize nerves, you should follow these rules:

• Organize yourself a calendar in which to mark these days.
• Use pads regularly during your period and change them actively.
• If these days don’t come as planned, and you don’t have sanitary pads with you, you can always ask your friends for them. This will help you get out of an awkward situation.
• In order not to miss the start of your period, it is recommended to visit the toilet more often on the corresponding day (every 3-4 hours) in order to use pads if necessary.
• During your first period, you can carry not only pads, but also an extra pair of underwear.

Character

Externally, menstrual flow differs from any other, including uterine bleeding.

At the beginning of menstruation, they include pieces of the endometrium and epithelial cells, which come out in the form of mucous blood cords and clots. In the last days of regulation, only blood flows without impurities, its amount gradually decreases.

The color of the discharge is dark red to burgundy, and it may have a slight iron smell. If the discharge smells like rotten meat or fish, contains impurities of pus or has a foamy consistency, you should immediately consult a doctor.

Menstruation should not be too heavy; the volume of discharge can be controlled by the number of hygiene products used per day. Normally, one pad should last for at least 2 hours; if it fills up faster, you should definitely consult a doctor.

You should be careful about hygiene during menstruation, change pads every 3-4 hours, since various pathogenic bacteria can very quickly develop in the blood, provoking vulvovaginitis and other inflammatory processes in the reproductive organs.

Why do we need periods?

The menstrual process is a period when the uterine epithelium is renewed every month.

During this process, irreversible changes occur in the epithelium, and it is removed from the body, since it can no longer be used. Instead, a new epithelium is formed in the body, which is successfully involved in internal processes.

Functional purpose:

• Degeneration of cells. The menstrual process allows you to renew epithelial cells, which provides an important role for a girl’s reproductive ability.
• Natural protective. The menstrual process involves a separate layer of the uterus, which is responsible for analyzing problems in eggs that are not fertilized and preventing the implantation of these eggs. Such eggs are excreted from the body along with the epithelium every month.

Why do women need periods - functions of discharge

During the regulative period in women, the inner epithelial layer in the uterus is renewed monthly, undergoing irreversible changes and being rejected as unnecessary. In the new cycle, the process of “rebuilding” the endometrium is restarted, during which the body prepares for possible conception.

In simple terms, menstruation is a reminder to a woman of her main purpose, to be a mother.

In addition, menstruation is needed to perform the following functions.

• Update. Since the inner uterine layer consists of epithelial cells, which are characterized by the process of exfoliation, like the cells of the skin, intestinal mucosa and bronchi, menstruation allows you to cleanse the uterine cavity of old and exfoliated endometrium. After the critical days, the uterus is cleansed and ready to grow a new epithelial layer.
• Biological protection. There is a theory according to which the functional uterine layer is able to recognize defective processes in a fertilized egg (chromosomal abnormalities, defective DNA), as a result of which it deliberately prevents its implantation, preventing “wrong” pregnancy. The defective zygote dies and is excreted along with the exfoliated epithelium during the next regulation.

Phases of the menstrual cycle

This process has 2 phases, in the middle of which the ovulation process occurs.

The ovulation process involves the release of eggs suitable for fertilization into the abdominal cavity and travel to the uterus. By the time of puberty, a girl’s body contains up to 400,000 eggs.

The primary ovulation process occurs shortly after puberty, the final ovulation process occurs after menstruation no longer occurs (menopause). During pregnancy, this process does not occur, but it is restored after childbirth has passed and the child is born.

Key phases:

• Follicular. At this stage, follicular development occurs, during which the release of the egg is observed. This stage occurs from the first day of the menstrual cycle and ends when the ovulation process begins. At this stage, estrogens are produced. During the stages, the basal temperature is less than 37 degrees.
• Luteal (corpus luteum phase). The corpus luteum is created in the ovary, in the area from which the egg left. This stage occurs after the ovulation process and lasts until the corpus luteum lives, approximately up to two weeks. The key point at this stage is maintaining a balanced degree of hormonal levels of estrogen and progesterone, which the corpus luteum secretes to prepare the body for a possible pregnancy. During this phase, the basal body temperature can remain at 37 degrees, and then, before the onset of menstruation (menstrual bleeding), drop sharply.

How to count your menstrual cycle?

To carry out the calculations, you need to count your periods and write down the days when each new cycle begins. You can use a calendar, an app on your phone, or write it down in a notepad. First you need to calculate the cycle duration. The very word “period” already suggests that on average the menstrual cycle lasts a month. In 60% of women, the duration is 28 days.

Let's consider an example: If the beginning of the menstrual cycle occurred in April on the 1st day, and in May the critical days began on the 4th, then you can calculate the menstrual cycle by adding up the number of days between these dates. This results in a duration of 33 days.

The formula will help you more accurately calculate the time of menstruation and the duration of the cycle:

MC=(T-P)+1

T – date of current menstruation

P – date of previous menstruation

Example: Your period in September came on the 1st and lasted 6 days. In November, menstruation begins on the 29th. We calculate using the formula MC=(29-1) +1=29. Therefore, the next menstruation should occur 29 days from the beginning of the current critical days.

Why do you need to count your periods? Knowing how to calculate the duration of a cycle can help a woman take control of her body, avoid unplanned pregnancy and various gynecological diseases.

WHAT IS OVULATION?

Ovulation occurs in the second phase of the menstrual cycle and is a process that accompanies the process of maturation of the female egg and its release from the follicle. Within 24 hours after this, she is completely ready for fertilization. If unprotected sexual intercourse occurs during this period, then with a 99% probability conception will occur. After this, the egg divides and turns into an embryo. Most often, only one egg is released in one cycle, but it also happens that 2 ovulations can begin in a month with an interval of 1-2 days.

HOW TO CALCULATE THE TIME FAVORABLE FOR PREGNANCY?

In the case when you need to correctly calculate the time of ovulation, it is necessary to take into account the data of all cycles for the year and select the longest and shortest periods between menstruation. 11 days are subtracted from the long cycle, 18 from the small cycle. After this, a calculation is made.

Let's look at an example: Let's assume that the longest cycle included 33 days, then 33-11=22. The short period consisted of 25 days, 25-18=7. As a result, it turns out that the most suitable time for conception is from the 7th to the 22nd day of the cycle.

When calculating the period favorable for conception, one should take into account the irregular cycle, the duration of which is constantly changing.

The menstrual cycle and its features

The menstrual cycle is regulated by hormonal factors. The regulation process involves hormones of the cerebral cortex, hypothalamus, pituitary gland and endocrine glands. It is hormones, acting on the organs of the reproductive system, that cause all the processes that occur during a woman’s menstrual cycle.

According to gynecologists, the normal menstrual cycle ranges from 21 to 35 calendar days. Most often, women note the duration of the monthly cycle from 26 to 30 days. In the absence of serious pathologies of the reproductive system, women's periods are regular and stable. At the same time, a shift in a certain stage by several days is not a pathology and is considered a normal physiological phenomenon.

When considering the stages of the menstrual cycle, it should be mentioned that its beginning is always considered the first day of menstruation. This means that the female cycle is considered “from period to period.” However, when it comes to gynecological stages, experts suggest considering a slightly different classification of stages.

Stage No. 1 – Follicular period of menstruation

At the beginning of the menstrual cycle, a woman’s body exhibits a very low concentration of the female hormones estrogen. Such a low level becomes a stimulus for the hypothalamus to produce special releasing hormones, which subsequently act on the pituitary tissue. It is in the pituitary gland that two main hormonal substances are produced that regulate the monthly cycle - follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH).

These chemicals enter the bloodstream and reach the woman's ovarian tissue. As a result of this interaction, the ovaries begin to produce the same estrogens that are not enough in the body in the first days of the menstrual cycle. A high level of estrogen in the blood is necessary for the process of active growth of follicles (female germ cells) to begin in the ovaries.

Every month, several such cells begin to mature in the female body, among which one dominant follicle stands out. It is the process of maturation and growth of the follicle that formed the basis for naming the first stage of the menstrual cycle, which is called follicular. The duration of the first stage may vary for each woman, but on average, with a 28-day cycle, follicle maturation takes about 14 days. The longer this stage lasts, the longer the woman’s entire menstrual cycle.

Stage No. 2 – Ovulation

As mentioned above, during the first stage the dominant follicle grows actively and rapidly. During this time, its size increases approximately five times, as a result of which the enlarged cell protrudes beyond the ovarian wall, as if protruding from it. The result of such protrusion is the rupture of the follicle membrane and the release of the egg, ready for further fertilization. It is at this stage of the menstrual cycle that the most favorable period for conceiving a child begins. Calculating the date of ovulation is not difficult, especially if a woman has a stable and regular menstrual cycle. The day of ovulation occurs exactly 14 days before the first day of your period.

Stage No. 3 – Corpus luteum phase

After the follicle ruptures, the so-called corpus luteum forms on the wall of the ovary. This formation actively secretes pregnancy hormones - progesterone and estradiol. If during ovulation the fusion of the egg and sperm occurs and conception occurs, the placenta is formed from the corpus luteum. If fertilization does not occur, a small area of ​​scar tissue forms in place of the corpus luteum. The corpus luteum phase lasts for almost 14 days in almost all women.

Stage No. 4 – Zero phase of menstruation or menstruation

If pregnancy does not occur, dystrophic changes occur in the functional (mucosal) layer of the uterus, which causes its rejection. This is called menstruation. During this process, the vessels supplying the uterine endometrium rupture, which is accompanied by bleeding. As a result, during menstrual periods, a woman notes that, along with blood, particles of the rejected mucous layer of the uterus come out of the uterus through the vagina.

Thus, during menstruation, the processes of separation of the uterine endometrium and its subsequent restoration, which begins already on the second day of critical days, occur simultaneously. Over the entire period of the menstrual cycle, the upper mucous layer of the uterus thickens 4-5 times, after which all stages are repeated.

What are they like?

It has already been said that part of the monthly discharge consists of cells from the replaceable part of the internal mucous membrane lining the uterus. The process is accompanied by damage to the small blood vessels that fed it. To these are added mucous secretions produced by the cervix and vaginal lubrication. You can draw a conclusion about what menstruation looks like based on all of the above. Obviously, this is bloody discharge. But their shade can change depending on:

• Features of the female body that are unique to it;
• Age;
• Previous and current diseases;
• Recent childbirth, abortion, or other surgical interventions.

The color of blood during menstruation may vary depending on whether it is the beginning, middle or end of the period. As a rule, in the first days the discharge is of a rich scarlet color, since the blood from the burst vessels has not had time to clot. Towards the end of menstruation, they acquire a darker, almost brown tint.

For some women, menstruation begins with scanty brownish discharge, which by day 2 becomes brighter and more intense. This is also a variant of the norm, especially if you are protected using hormonal agents.

The color of menstruation in adolescents and women approaching menopause may also be lighter or darker than average. This is due in the first case to the rapid development of the body and unstable hormonal levels, and in the second case to a decrease in the functioning of the reproductive organs.

In short, what color your period should be is strictly individual. If this indicator changes suddenly, is supplemented by any other incomprehensible symptoms, and this lasts several cycles, then the woman should find out the cause of such oddities from a specialist.

Volume and consistency of menstrual flow

Two more signs by which menstruation should be assessed whether it is correct or in need of adjustment are the amount of discharge and consistency. Menstruation normally lasts from 3 to 7 days. The time indicator is individual and, as a rule, constant, except in those circumstances when a woman

• Unwell;
• Experiencing psychological problems;
• Forced to change the climate zone of residence;
• Recently gave birth or finished breastfeeding a baby;
• She is under 16 or over 50 years old.

The volume of menstruation per day should not exceed 50-200 ml. Obviously, this indicator will not be the same on different days, since the discharge occurs with greater or less intensity. It is important that the consistency of your periods is uniform, without large clots. Discharge that is too liquid and rapidly erupts from the vagina is also a warning sign. It may conceal uterine bleeding that needs to be examined and treated.

The number of periods of maximum volume per day, lasting 7 days, formally does not go beyond the normal limits. But they provoke a large loss of blood, which does not have time to be replenished before the next menstruation. The woman develops anemia, which can cause even more severe illness if left untreated.

Summarizing all that has been said, we can come to the conclusion that in general, menstruation, the rate of discharge, color and consistency are very individual and should be considered in the context of the woman’s general well-being, as well as her age and other health indicators.

Features of menstruation depending on age

The functioning of the reproductive system is controlled by hormones, and menstruation is a large part of this work. How menstruation goes depends on such an objective criterion as the woman’s age:

• Teenage girls who have recently started menstruating notice that they are irregular and rather scanty. The color of your first period may be unusual. Such phenomena have the right to exist for 2 years after the start of the first menstruation. The hormonal background is in the formative stage, the organs are also still developing. This is why girls' periods may differ from what happens in later life;
• Women on the threshold of their 50th birthday. The age range in this case is determined rather arbitrarily, since menopause can occur earlier. The important thing is that the reproductive function fades, the work of the ovaries is not as active as at a younger age. Therefore, the nature of menstruation may also change; delays can be explained by a decrease in the amount of hormones produced.

When should the first menstruation occur?

The first time menstruation occurs at the age of puberty. According to medical statistics, this age range is from 8 to 16 years. Most often, a girl experiences her first menstrual flow between the ages of 11 and 14 years. By this age, the mother or other older relative must prepare the girl for this process, since the lack of a sufficient level of knowledge can lead to psychological trauma for the child. Signs indicating the imminent onset of menstruation are:

• enlargement of the mammary glands;
• active hair growth in the pubic and armpit areas;
• uncharacteristic vaginal discharge.

According to medical research, the age at which mother and daughter have their first menstruation often coincides, so you should prepare for this age milestone in advance.

Earlier or later menarche

If a mother or grandmother’s first menstruation occurred, for example, at the age of 15, then the girl’s maturation will most likely follow the same “scenario.”

However, most often the failure of the natural mechanism occurs due to diseases or characteristics of the girl’s body.

Before menarche - before 11 years of age

Functional causes: most often overweight or obesity. One of the estrogen (female sex hormones) is produced in adipose tissue, which leads to early puberty.

Diseases:

• Hypothyroidism is decreased production of thyroid hormones.
• Follicular ovarian cysts.
• Tumor of the ovary, adrenal gland, or central nervous system.
• Lesions of the central nervous system: meningitis, encephalitis, trauma and others.

Late menarche - over 14 years of age

Functional reasons:

• With malnutrition or excessive thinness due to lack of nutrients, the synthesis of sex hormones is disrupted. The body “extracts” estrogens from adipose tissue, but it is also not enough. A healthy girl should have at least 17% fatty tissue of her total body weight.
• Frequent stress and prolonged psycho-emotional stress lead to a failure in the formation of sex hormones.
• With intense exercise, estrogen production decreases.

Diseases:

• Insufficient production of sex hormones by the ovaries is most often associated with congenital underdevelopment of the ovaries.
• Diseases: diabetes mellitus, bronchial asthma (depending on the severity and controllability of the course).
• Congenital malformations of the reproductive system - for example, underdevelopment of the uterus or ovaries.
• Chromosomal or genetic diseases.

When does menstruation stop?

Non-occurrence of the next menstruation may indicate either the woman’s pregnancy or the onset of menopause. Sometimes the absence of menstruation is a symptom of a serious pathology in the body, and therefore the first thing to do in this situation is to consult a gynecologist. The age of menopause in a healthy woman varies between 45-55 years, but cases of both earlier and later menopause have been recorded. The entire process of menopause usually takes about two years, during which the woman experiences irregular menstruation with an unusual course.

The issue of restoring the menstrual cycle after pregnancy and childbirth deserves special attention. If a woman does not breastfeed, menstruation usually returns within 2-3 months. If a young mother has normal lactation, the period of absence of menstruation may last for the entire period of breastfeeding. The fact is that the specific hormone prolactin is responsible for the production of milk in the mother’s body, which prevents the restoration of the menstrual cycle. However, if a woman returns to her period during breastfeeding, this is not considered something abnormal and pathological.

Critical days for women after childbirth

After childbirth, a woman’s body begins to actively produce prolactin, a hormone that affects the release of breast milk. With a high level of prolactin, amenorrhea may begin: the performance of functions in the ovaries slows down, at this time there are no periods and ovulation does not occur.

The time when the menstrual cycle is restored after childbirth will depend entirely on the frequency of breastfeeding, the physical and emotional state of the woman. The signal that prolactin concentration is decreasing is the moment when breast milk production gradually stops. After this, the functions of the ovaries begin to recover.

In non-breastfeeding women, the menstrual cycle is restored much faster, already 8-10 weeks after birth. But a longer restoration of menstruation is also possible if a cesarean section was performed, since in this case a large number of medications were introduced into the body that disrupt the functioning of the genitourinary system.

Features of menstruation are the main indicator of a woman’s health status. The importance of the menstrual cycle in a woman’s life cannot be overestimated. The functioning of the entire reproductive system, the ability to conceive and bear a child depends on it. Therefore, every woman needs to calculate her menstrual cycle and track any changes in it. After all, they are an alarm signal and require immediate assistance from a qualified specialist.

Menstruation - normal and pathological

So, a normal menstrual cycle lasts from 21 to 35 days. The critical days themselves are observed for 3-6 days, during which a woman loses from 50 to 250 milliliters of blood every day. A healthy representative of the fair sex should not experience severe pain or notice any obvious pathological symptoms. Any violations and deviations from these norms are considered a pathology and require mandatory medical intervention.

Gynecologists identify the following possible pathologies of the menstrual cycle:

Amenorrhea - delayed menstruation

This term means the absence of menstruation for at least three months, without a physiological reason. This means that the absence of menstruation during amenorrhea is not associated with pregnancy, lactation or menopause. Amenorrhea can be a symptom of such dangerous pathologies as resistant ovarian syndrome, cervical atresia, virilizing ovarian tumors, intrauterine synechiae (Asherman's syndrome), etc. Also, the absence of menstruation can become a characteristic sign of serious hormonal disorders in the body, as well as psychogenic disorders. Sometimes amenorrhea occurs in a woman after severe weight loss.

Menorrhagia or hypermenorrhea - heavy periods

Too heavy or prolonged periods, which are accompanied by significant blood loss. This pathological condition is indicated if critical days last more than 7 days or daily blood loss exceeds 200 milliliters. Usually, with menorrhagia, other pathological symptoms are completely absent, but the woman experiences significant discomfort due to such heavy discharge. The causes of excessively heavy periods can be diseases of the female reproductive system such as endometriosis and uterine fibroids. In rare cases, this deviation from the norm is caused by a blood clotting disorder. A similar menstrual dysfunction can also be observed in women who have previously had an intrauterine device installed for contraception.

Dysmenorrhea - pain during menstruation

It is menstruation, which is accompanied by intense pain that interferes with a woman’s normal professional activities and physical activity. The pain is usually localized in the lower abdomen, spreading to the lumbar region. Acute pain may also be accompanied by bloating. According to doctors, more than 50% of all women periodically experience dysmenorrhea. The search for the cause of this condition should lie in the field of research on endometriosis, fibroids, and inflammation of the fallopian tubes.

Irregular menstruation

Some women note that they have an unequal period between the onset of their periods. If irregularities in the menstrual cycle occur at least 3 times a year, doctors talk about the likelihood of pathological processes in the woman’s body. The causes of irregular periods can be gynecological tumors, cysts, endometrial polyps, inflammatory diseases of the myo- and endometrium, uterine fibroids, endometriosis. Often this disorder is a consequence of hormonal imbalance. Physiological causes of irregular periods include the consequences of abortion, curettage and childbirth.

What deviations may there be

Normal periods almost always follow the same “scenario”: they have the same duration, volume and intensity of discharge, accompanying symptoms and sensations.

If any of these parameters deviate from the norm, and menstrual irregularities appear several cycles in a row, you should definitely consult a doctor, since systematic deviations from the norm may be a sign of an existing pathology.

In order to detect irregularities in the cycle in a timely manner, all women of reproductive age are recommended to keep a menstrual calendar, where not only the days of the arrival of the next regular periods are recorded, but also their own feelings during this period.

Bleeding between periods

If a woman experiences any bloody discharge from the genital tract between the 10th and 25th day of the menstrual cycle, they speak of intermenstrual bleeding. In the middle of the cycle, this phenomenon can be caused by the physiological process of ovulation, namely the rupture of the follicle. In this case, the woman notes the appearance of transparent mucous discharge streaked with blood. Also, similar manifestations are observed in some representatives of the fair sex who have started taking hormonal contraceptives or have taken medications for emergency contraception. Pathological causes of bleeding between menstruation include hormonal changes, genital injuries, endometrial polyps, endometrial hyperplasia, cysts and ovarian tumors.

Separately, a complex of symptoms called premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is considered as a deviation from the norm. This condition is observed in many women and is accompanied by pain in the abdomen and mammary glands, headaches, irritability and fatigue, the appearance of acne and uncharacteristic vaginal discharge. All these unpleasant manifestations are usually noted a few days before the onset of menstruation and can persist throughout the entire period. An unambiguous list of causes that provoke PMS has not yet been identified, however, most experts believe that all pathological manifestations before menstruation are associated with hormonal imbalance in the body.

Menstruation and PMS

This process causes monthly bleeding in the fair sex. The duration of such discharge ranges from three days to a full week.

Premenstrual cycle syndrome, or PMS , is a term used by medical professionals to describe the negative symptoms a girl experiences during this period (for example, increased levels of irritation).

Pain during menstruation

Reproductive hormones are responsible for the occurrence of menstruation. The menstrual cycle lasts approximately 28 days and during this time hormone surges are observed.

For most women, this condition passes without any special consequences and the only discomfort for them is bleeding, but for some women, periods are accompanied by pain.

The reasons for this may be the following:

• negative prostaglandins, causing spasms of the muscular wall of the uterus and constriction of blood vessels;
• insufficient level of endorphins, enkephalins;
• increased pain sensitivity;
• luteal phase deficiency.

Treatment of pain during menstruation

If the pain is too severe, then you should immediately contact a gynecologist to solve this problem. This will make sure that there are no signs of pathological processes in the body.

In the absence of pathological processes, pain can be reduced as follows:

• Massaging the abdominal area.
• Warmth on the stomach;
• Taking the “embryo” pose.
• Proper nutrition on a light diet.
• Taking painkillers.

What should you not do during your period?

In order to avoid negative consequences, it is recommended to follow standard rules during the discharge period. This will help you keep your well-being positive and not harm your health. There are many “dos” and “don’ts”; below are just the key ones.

During the menstrual cycle it is not recommended:

• Perform active physical activity.
• Relax in a bathtub with hot water.
• Perform sexual intercourse without contraception.
• Perform operations.
• Use contraindicated medications.
• Go to a public pool or open water bodies.
• Consume food or drinks that cause an allergic reaction or are generally contraindicated.
• Hold off on peeling procedures.
• Do not comply with personal hygiene requirements.

Effect on the body as a whole

In the first days of menstruation, a replaceable layer of the endometrium is removed. Approximately from the second day, the formation of fresh cells of this organ begins. By the end of menstruation, the recovery process is completed. This happens in every cycle.

What menstruation is like for women can be fully felt not only by them, but also by the people nearby. After all, everything that happens to the reproductive system is inseparable from the body as a whole. Regular changes are indicated in the nervous and vascular systems. The participation of hormones in their work is manifested by the following signs:

• Increased irritability;
• Drowsiness, stronger than usual, fatigue;
• Abdominal pain;
• Tension in the mammary glands;
• Migraines;
• Nausea;
• Irregularities in blood pressure.

Symptoms may appear some time before menstruation and accompany the woman until its end. If all sensations can be tolerated, this is the norm. Moreover, there are remedies that can relieve painful spasms and calm the nerves. If there is no effect from the medications, it is necessary to be examined. It is possible that some gynecological disease makes itself felt with severe symptoms of menstruation.

Hygiene during menstruation

During this period, you should take a bath and shower more often than usual, this will help get rid of many negative consequences. In this case, it is recommended to change pads or tampons at least every four hours.

During this process, the girl sweats more. This is due to increased production of hormones in the body. Therefore, washing the problematic part of the body must be of high quality and complete (both front and back), so that harmful microorganisms are not given the opportunity to reproduce.

It is important to understand that on such days a full bath, swimming pool or sauna is prohibited. This leads to unwanted overheating of the body, which leads to blood flow towards the pelvis and more abundant discharge.

In addition, this allows more microbes to enter the body, to the uterus, since during this period it is the most open. This is facilitated by the non-sterility of the liquid.

What product to use when washing or showering should be determined individually; in many ways, the girl’s skin type plays a big role here.

For example, you should understand that any product has a highly alkaline composition and puts a lot of pressure on the skin, adding new tension to the body and preventing relaxation.

If a girl has dry skin, then the more alkali there is in the product, the more irritation of the skin it will lead to.

In such cases, it is recommended to refuse to use soap and give preference to gel products. Gels will remove all contaminants from intimate areas more gently, without causing the skin a new degree of irritation.

Soap for children is also a good option, especially for those with very sensitive skin. A separate advantage is that it does not contain aromatic additives or harmful elements that can cause irritation or lead to an unpleasant allergic reaction.

How often should you change your underwear?

It is very important to choose the right underwear for yourself. During menstruation, you should give preference to natural fabrics rather than synthetic ones.

In addition, it is worth choosing simple models in which the number of lace and other elements is minimized.

Such preferences will allow the skin to “breathe”, lead to more favorable well-being, and minimize the risks of many complications.

Underwear should be changed at least twice a day. This avoids the formation of harmful microorganisms.

Painful periods

Much depends on individual pain tolerance, but there are certain criteria for differentiation.

What is considered normal?

Menstruation may be accompanied by discomfort, unexpressed heaviness and/or pain in the lower abdomen - part of the overgrown endometrium is rejected and the muscles of the uterus contract. General well-being is not affected, and critical days are easily tolerated.

When to sound the alarm?

The pain is severe, cramping or colicky, stabbing and cutting, sometimes painful and aching. They are located in the lower abdomen and/or in the sacrolumbar region, and can radiate to the groin. They begin a few hours before or on the day of menstruation, last one or two days, less often - longer. Nausea or vomiting, dizziness, and urination and bowel dysfunction may occur.

The reasons are not fully understood, but there are several factors:

• Hormonal imbalance between estrogen and progesterone against the background of emotional lability.
• Mechanical obstruction to outflow due to developmental anomalies: underdevelopment or bending of the uterus, narrowing of the internal pharynx (entrance to the uterus).
• Increased excitability of the nervous system leads to excessive contraction of the muscles of the uterus.
• Endometriosis. Foci of the uterine mucosa (endometrium) grow in atypical areas (normally they should not be there): ovaries, cervix, muscular layer of the uterus (adenomyosis). When menstruation occurs, the enlarged endometrium is rejected not only from the uterine cavity, but also from all foci - accompanied by severe pain and heavy menstrual bleeding.

Examination and solutions to problems

If there are no deviations from the norm, there is no need to consult a doctor - with the exception of preventive medical examinations according to age.

If problems arise, the main assistant is a pediatric obstetrician-gynecologist. Additionally, the girl is examined by doctors of other specialties - for example, an endocrinologist-gynecologist or a psychologist.

Scope of examinations

An ultrasound of the pelvic organs, thyroid gland and/or internal organs is performed, the level of hormones in the blood is determined, computed tomography and other studies are performed.

Unfortunately, the diagnostic capabilities of modern medicine are limited at this age:

• Diagnostic curettage of the uterine cavity is not performed.
• Laparoscopy is not recommended. With endometriosis, areas of the endometrium are often not visible on ultrasound. The diagnosis is confirmed only by laparoscopy - it is performed once simultaneously for diagnosis and treatment when planning pregnancy upon reaching childbearing age.

If absolutely necessary, some studies are performed with the consent of the parents and by decision of the medical commission.

Solutions

Functional changes: usually it is enough to normalize weight, diet and rest, and optimize physical activity.

The task is quite difficult if the problem is not identified or the cause cannot be eliminated (developmental anomalies).

Doctors often have to act at random:

• To reduce pain, antispasmodics (relax muscles), painkillers and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs - reduce pain and swelling) are used.
• For heavy menstruation and a tendency to bleeding - tranexamic acid, NSAIDs and others.

Prescribing effective treatment largely depends on the doctor’s experience and his approach to solving problems using the achievements of modern medicine.

Hormonal preparations containing drospirenone and dienogest have been developed Some of them are approved for use in adolescent girls with PCOS, suspected endometriosis, dysfunctional uterine bleeding, juvenile acne and other conditions.

Taking hormones also has a positive effect in cases of severe pain - when nothing else helps.

Cases of successful use of these drugs for a long time, up to childbearing age, with subsequent withdrawal and the onset of pregnancy, have been described.

Hormones are prescribed with the consent of the parents and by decision of the medical commission.

Hygiene products on critical days

Key ways to protect against leaks: sanitary pads and tampons. Both methods have their advantages and disadvantages. The ideal solution is to use them alternately.

Gaskets

This solution can be used at any age, after the menstrual cycle begins.

The presence of gynecological diseases is also not a contraindication for use.

The pads have a specific shape suitable for underwear. They have several layers for better absorption of secretions.

The bottom layer is always sticky to make it easier to place the product on your underwear and avoid problems with secure fastening.

Certain types of pads have increased reliability due to the side “wings”, which provide additional attachment to the underwear.

The top layer of the gasket can be made of both artificial and natural materials. Artificial materials absorb moisture better, but can cause allergic reactions. Natural materials do not cause allergic reactions, but absorb secretions less well.

The level of moisture absorption is indicated by drops on the pad packaging. The more drops, the higher the level. Pads should be selected accordingly, depending on the intensity of the discharge. The higher the intensity, the more absorbent pads you should choose.

The pads are conveniently divided into types: for daytime and nighttime use. Daytime pads are most often not as dense as nighttime pads and are narrower. Night ones are focused on long-term use, without frequent changing of the pad.

Many pads are scented, but you should be careful when choosing them as they can cause an allergic reaction.

Kotex Libress Always Naturella

Tampons

They are more comfortable and, unlike pads, are invisible even with the thinnest underwear.

In structure, they are a tube with a draw-type thread. Some tampons have an applicator, which makes it easier to place the product in the vaginal area.

Tampons are divided into mini, normal and super according to their type. The “super” type is the most absorbent and is recommended for use if the discharge is heavy.

If they are not abundant, you should use mini or normal tampons.

Tampons should be changed at approximately the same frequency as pads. If this is not done, then the risk of various diseases is quite high. You shouldn’t let it get to this point, otherwise great treatment difficulties will arise in the future.

Bella Tampax Ob Kotex

Hygiene products

The mother of a teenage girl should prepare the first hygiene products at the first signs of the end of puberty. That is, if the daughter is 11–12 years old, then a package of pads should be in the teenager’s closet.

Tampons should not be used at this age. The girl has no experience of behavior during menstruation or the skills of inserting a tampon. Due to inexperience, she may forget about this hygiene product in the vagina, which is fraught with the development of an inflammatory process.

When choosing gaskets, consider:

1. Age
   . You should not buy hygiene products designed for heavy discharge. For the first cycle, pads marked “Normal” or 2 drops are enough. Additionally, purchase a kit for use at night. Such pads are longer than regular ones and the risk of staining the bed linen is minimal.
2. Quality
   . The girl should be comfortable. This must be a manufacturer tested by my mother. It is best to use ultra-fine products. They do not restrict movement and are invisible under clothing.

Before menstruation, the mother should check with her daughter about the availability of hygiene products. Despite the outward appearance of maturity or swagger, the teenager will be embarrassed to purchase pads for a long time.