What is menstruation?

Menstruation, also know as your period, is the discharge of blood and tissue from the lining of the uterus that occurs at the beginning of the menstrual cycle. Every woman's menstrual cycle is different, but the process is always the same.

Why do I bleed once a month?

It's hormones! Hormones cause your ovaries to make and release an egg from either your right or left ovary. This is called ovulation. Before ovulation, the lining of the uterus thickens to prepare for the implantation of a fertilized egg into the uterus. If the egg is not fertilized, the lining of the uterus comes off. This is called menstruation or your menstrual period.

Why are my period different from my friend's?

Every woman's cycle (the length of time between the first day of her period and the first day of her next period) is different. On average, a woman's menstruation lasts 3-7 days. The average duration of the female cycle is 28-32 days. This leaves a lot of room for a woman to stray from her neighbor, friend, or colleague. Women also differ in the severity of symptoms that occur before and during menstruation.

Before and during menstruation:

About 85% of menstruating women report changes in the days or weeks leading up to their period that cause problems that affect their normal lives. This is called premenstrual syndrome.

During menstruation, the uterus, which is a muscle, contracts and relaxes more than at other times of the month. This can cause uncomfortable cramping sensations. Using a heating pad or hot water bottle can help relieve discomfort.

Over-the-counter pain relievers such as naproxen, ibuprofen, or acetaminophen may also help. Other discomforts during menstruation can include breast tenderness, bloating, headaches, fatigue, mood swings, and food cravings. Some women will experience these symptoms more than others, and not all women will experience all of these symptoms.

What should I do if my period is late or I missed my period?

Sometimes menstruation can come late or skip a month. Often a woman's first thought is that she is pregnant. Yes, it can be, but there are times when a woman may be late or miss her period for other unexpected reasons.

These reasons include:

Significant weight gain/loss
Fatigue
Hormonal problems
Tension
Stress
Ceasing to take the birth control pill
Breastfeeding
Increase in exercise
Illness
Infections

Can I get pregnant during my period?

The answer is yes and no. It is very likely that you will not get pregnant by having sex during your period.

Sex during your period, besides being more messy and less desirable, probably won't result in pregnancy. This is due to the fact that there are several days left before ovulation, which reduces the likelihood of conception at this time.