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Menstruation
There are some clues that could help determine when you will get your period and begin female puberty. Some of theses clues are:
- Heredity; If you ask your mum or another female relative how old she was when she has her first period, you will probably get your's at the same age. Although Doctors now have found that the age of puberty is usually a year younger now than it was for your female relative's age group.
- Race; African-American girls usually show some signs of puberty, a little bit earlier than any Caucasian girls.
- Weight; Very thin girls begin to menstruate later than heavier girls. (Heavier girls begin earlier. )
Menstruations Purpose
A Menstrual Period's purpose is to get rid of the uterus' lining if no child is conceived in that cycle.
Every month, a female's uterus is prepared to receive a fertilised egg. The Uterus needs to build a lining where the embryo would stay and get its nutrition, if it were fertilised. If no egg is fertilised then the female does not become pregnant, and so there is no need for the uterus' lining and so it gets discarded. Menstruations Role in ReproductionMenstruation has a huge role in reproduction as women menstruate to prepare their body for pregnancy. The blood that is lost in a period would be used for the 'baby' if the egg were fertilised.
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Period Process
Day 1 - 7
Day 1 is the first day of your period. This should occur after hormone levels decline at the end of the previous cycle. This signals the blood and tissue lining the uterus otherwise known as the womb to break down and shed from the body. This bleeding lasts around 5 days long.
Day 7
Usually by Day 7 the bleeding has stopped completely. Leading up to this, hormones stimulate fluid-filled pockets called follicles to grow on the ovaries. Each follicle contains one single egg.
Day 7-14
Between days 7 and 14, one single follicle will continue to grow and reach maturity. This lining of the uterus thickens and begins to wait for a fertilised egg to be implanted there. This lining is abundant in blood and nutrients.
Day 14
Around about day 14 (in a 28 day cycle), hormones make matured follicle's to split open and free an egg from the ovary. This process is named ovulation.
Day 17-25 (Day vary's)
During the following days, this egg makes its way down the fallopian tube towards the uterus. If sperm is united with this egg, then the fertilised egg will carry on down the fallopian tube and attach to the lining of the uterus.
Day 25-28
Hormone levels will drop at around about the 25th Day if the egg is not fertilised. This gestures the next menstrual cycle to start. This egg will then come apart and discarded with the next period.
Day 1 is the first day of your period. This should occur after hormone levels decline at the end of the previous cycle. This signals the blood and tissue lining the uterus otherwise known as the womb to break down and shed from the body. This bleeding lasts around 5 days long.
Day 7
Usually by Day 7 the bleeding has stopped completely. Leading up to this, hormones stimulate fluid-filled pockets called follicles to grow on the ovaries. Each follicle contains one single egg.
Day 7-14
Between days 7 and 14, one single follicle will continue to grow and reach maturity. This lining of the uterus thickens and begins to wait for a fertilised egg to be implanted there. This lining is abundant in blood and nutrients.
Day 14
Around about day 14 (in a 28 day cycle), hormones make matured follicle's to split open and free an egg from the ovary. This process is named ovulation.
Day 17-25 (Day vary's)
During the following days, this egg makes its way down the fallopian tube towards the uterus. If sperm is united with this egg, then the fertilised egg will carry on down the fallopian tube and attach to the lining of the uterus.
Day 25-28
Hormone levels will drop at around about the 25th Day if the egg is not fertilised. This gestures the next menstrual cycle to start. This egg will then come apart and discarded with the next period.
Menstruation Process
There are four phases of the menstrual cycle. These are:
Females use sanitary products such as Pads, Tampons and Liners to absorb the Menstrual flow. All Sanitary products must be changed regularly (4 to 6 hours). Tampons have been linked with an increased risk of TSS (Toxic Shock Syndrome), which is a rare illness.
Follicular Phases begin on the first day of menstruation. It ends with ovulation. The Pituitary Gland prompts the hypothalamus and the Pituitary Gland releases FSH (Follicle Stimulating Hormone). FSH encourages the ovary to make 5 to 20 follicles (very small nodules or cysts). They bead on the surface.
Every follicle has an immature egg. Normally, one follicle will mature into only one egg, whilst the others die. This can happen in about day 10 of a 28 day cycle. The growth of the follicles encourage the lining of the Uterus to start thickening in preparation for a possible pregnancy.
During two days, Ovulation is prompted by the higher levels of LH. The egg is then funnelled into the Fallopian tubes and travels towards the Uterus by waves of tiny, hair-like projections. The lifespan of a normal egg is usually about 24 hours, unless it meets a sperm during this time, it will die.
When one fertilised egg is implanted in the lining of the Uterus, it make the hormones that are needed to keep the Corpus Luteum. This includes HCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotrophin). This hormone is the hormone that is noticed in a Urine test for Pregnancy. The Corpus Luteum, continues to making the raised levels of progesterone that are required to keep the thick line of the Uterus. The Corpus Luteum keeps making the raised levels of progesterone that are required to keep the thickened lining of the Uterus.
If pregnancy does not happen, the Corpus Luteum withers and dies. This happens usually on the 22nd Day in an 28 Day Cycle. The drop in progesterone levels make the lining of the Uterus fall away. This is called and known as Menstruation. The cycle repeats.
- Menstruation;
Females use sanitary products such as Pads, Tampons and Liners to absorb the Menstrual flow. All Sanitary products must be changed regularly (4 to 6 hours). Tampons have been linked with an increased risk of TSS (Toxic Shock Syndrome), which is a rare illness.
- Follicular;
Follicular Phases begin on the first day of menstruation. It ends with ovulation. The Pituitary Gland prompts the hypothalamus and the Pituitary Gland releases FSH (Follicle Stimulating Hormone). FSH encourages the ovary to make 5 to 20 follicles (very small nodules or cysts). They bead on the surface.
Every follicle has an immature egg. Normally, one follicle will mature into only one egg, whilst the others die. This can happen in about day 10 of a 28 day cycle. The growth of the follicles encourage the lining of the Uterus to start thickening in preparation for a possible pregnancy.
- Ovulation;
During two days, Ovulation is prompted by the higher levels of LH. The egg is then funnelled into the Fallopian tubes and travels towards the Uterus by waves of tiny, hair-like projections. The lifespan of a normal egg is usually about 24 hours, unless it meets a sperm during this time, it will die.
- Luteal;
When one fertilised egg is implanted in the lining of the Uterus, it make the hormones that are needed to keep the Corpus Luteum. This includes HCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotrophin). This hormone is the hormone that is noticed in a Urine test for Pregnancy. The Corpus Luteum, continues to making the raised levels of progesterone that are required to keep the thick line of the Uterus. The Corpus Luteum keeps making the raised levels of progesterone that are required to keep the thickened lining of the Uterus.
If pregnancy does not happen, the Corpus Luteum withers and dies. This happens usually on the 22nd Day in an 28 Day Cycle. The drop in progesterone levels make the lining of the Uterus fall away. This is called and known as Menstruation. The cycle repeats.
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Different Types of Pads and Tampons
Pads are rectangular pieces of absorbent material that are attached to the inside of a female's underwear. Pads are sometimes called sanitary pads or napkins. Some types of Pads have a bit extra material on the sides called 'wings' which are folded over the edges of your underwear to help hold the pad in place as well as stop leakage.
There are many different pads and tampons to choose from. Types of pads are:
You should change your pad every 3-4 hours no matter how light/heavy your period is. Regular removes/prevents bacteria buildup and gets rid of the odour.
If your period is heavier you should change your pad more as the pad would have absorbed more blood.
The different types of tampons are:
There are many different pads and tampons to choose from. Types of pads are:
- Regular Pads; Regular pads are great for a 'medium-flow' periods. (With wings), The wings help keep the pad in place and so they are great when they are on the move.
- Super Pads (Maxi); Super Pads are great for 'heavy-flow' periods, when you need extra protection and support throughout the day.
- Slender Pads;
- Overnight Pads; Overnight Pads are much more absorbable than other pads and so you can wear then all night and only have to change them in the morning.
- With wings; The wings help to hold the pad in place. (Can get any type of pad with/without wings)
- Without wings; These types of pads don't have wings and are not held in place with the wings, only with the adhesive stuff on the other side. (Can get any type of pad with/without wings)
- Maternity; Maternity pads are made to provide extra support and protection from heavy post-natal flow.
- Everyday (Liners) (Mini) ; Liners are able to be used any day although they are not as absorbent as a pad. Girls usually wear these on the last day of their period when their is a little bit of 'spotting' coming out. So their undies are not dirty and they are fresh.
- Deodorant; Some Pads come with a smell/scent in them, although these are not the best as some girls can have sensitivities/allergies to the smells and they irritate the vagina.
- Reusable Pads; These pads are available online or at natural health stores and are for any period. You can wash them. Some females think that these are better for the environment and save them money. These pads clip/snap onto a girls underwear.
You should change your pad every 3-4 hours no matter how light/heavy your period is. Regular removes/prevents bacteria buildup and gets rid of the odour.
If your period is heavier you should change your pad more as the pad would have absorbed more blood.
The different types of tampons are:
- Mini; These tampons are used from a 'light-flow' period. These tampons are usually for your first or light days of your period. These tampons catch/absorb up to 8 grams this is about 2 teaspoons.
- Regular; These tampons are used for a 'medium-flow' period. The regular tampons are for about the middle of your period and can catch/absorb up to 11 grams this is about 2.5 teaspoons.
- Super; Super Tampons are used for a 'heavy-flow' period. These tampons are for around the middle of your period and can absorb/catch up to 14 grams this is about 3.5 teaspoons.
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How to Dispose Sanitary Products
Once you are finished with the pad you just take it off your underwear, wrap it in toilet paper if there are no sanitary bins and put it in a regular bin. If there are sanitary bins then wrap it or place it in the bin. These bins are usually at schools, shopping centres and basically any public place.
DO NOT: Flush Pads/Tampons/Liners down the toilet as they clog up the toilet and will create a mess.
DO NOT: Flush Pads/Tampons/Liners down the toilet as they clog up the toilet and will create a mess.
Personal Cleanliness Tips
Here are some very relevant tips on cleanliness all females should follow when going through menstruation/periods:
- Use Pads/Tampons/Liners; It is really important to wear sanitary products so you stay clean, your underwear stay clean and you do not smell/ develop an odour.
- Change Regularly; Once menstrual blood has left your body if become contaminated with the body's natural organisms. When these organisms stay in a warm, moist place for a long time and they like to multiply and have a possibility of leading to conditions such as Urinary Tract Infection, Vagina Infections, Skin Rashes etc.
- Wash yourself regularly; When you menstruate the blood sometimes enter's tiny spaces such as the skin around the opening of your vagina. You should always wash extra blood away. This stops an odour from developing. It is important to clean yourself before putting on a new pad. If you do not have access to a shower even use toilet paper.
- Do not use vaginal hygiene products; The Vagina has its own cleaning mechanism with a balance of good and bad bacteria. Washing up your vagina with soap can kill the good bacteria, which makes ways for the infection. While it is very important for you to wash yourself often during this time so you are healthy but just wash your vagina with warm water. It is fine to use soap on the external part of your vagina but not the inside or your vagina/vulva.
- Use the correct washing techniques; Always wash from the vagina to the anus. If you wash form the anus to the vagina then you may cause bacteria from the anus to come into the Vagina or Urethra opening, which can lead to some infections.
- Dispose of your sanitary products properly; It is vital to dispose of sanitary products properly as they can spread infections, and smell really bad. (Section above on how to dispose of properly).
- Know about Pad Rash; Pad Rash is something that may happen during a 'heavy-flow' period. Pad Rash usually occurs when the Pad has been wet for a long time and then rubs along the things. This causes the things to chaff. To prevent this from happening attempt to stay dry at all times during your period. You can apply antiseptic cream/ointment after a bath and before bed. By doing this the rash will heal and the cream/ointment will stop further chaffing. If it develops and gets worse you should seek a medical professionals advice.
- Be ready; When you have your period it is really important to be ready. Keep liners, pads and tampons of different types (Super, Regular, Mini etc.) in your bag in case you get your period when you are at school or away from home. In a soft pouch or bag you can/should have:
- Pads/Tampons/Liners of different types (e.g. Super, Regular, Mini etc.)
- Soft Towel
- Paper Tissues
- Hand Sanitiser
- Antiseptic Medication (If you need it)
- Bathe Regularly; Bathing cleans your body and helps keep your private areas healthy and safe from infection. Showers help relieve menstrual cramps, backaches, improves your mood and makes you feel less bloated. To be relieved from menstrual cramps and backaches if you stand under a shower of warm water than is on your targeted area (Back or abdomen), you will feel much better.
How to Cope with Menstruation
It is important to be able to cope with menstruation and periods. Females will be experiencing this for half of their life. Some methods to cope with menstruation and periods are:
- Coping with Periods; Some simple ways to cope with Periods are;
- Take a shower; Having a shower relieves your abdomen/back if you are having menstrual cramps or backaches.
- Sit with a heat pack; Sitting with a heat pack loosens tight muscles. IMPORTANT! Never sleep with a heat pack or hot water bottle as they can do harm.
- Sleeping; Whether you have pain of not it is important to sleep.
- Eat Dark Chocolate; Eating dark chocolate helps cramps to go away!
- Alter Your Diet; Don't eat foods that are high in sugar and salt. Consume foods that are high in potassium such as bananas. (Relieves Pain)
- Exercise; Exercise can help but can also hurt so assess your situation. Although stretching can relieve pressure in your lower abdomen.
- Be ready; It is always important to be ready for a period but you can also be ready diet wise. You can start eating foods that are healthier for you like banana's instead of lollies and you can be happier and in not as much pain.
- Wear dark coloured underwear; This is important as if you 'leak' it saves you from embarrassment (you will be unable to see the blood).
- Tell a parent/guardian; It is important to tell your mum, dad or guardian if you have begun your period so that they know and understand. Females will most likely be able to help you.
- Keep Track; If you keep track then you will know when your period is coming and will not be surprised. If you are bad at tracking you get get apps for free like Pink Pad and Clue.
- Warn people you know; Tell people you may be a bit moody. You don't want to loose relationships!
- Wear comfortable clothes; Not many females wear uncomfortable clothes when on their period. So why be uncomfortable when you can be comfortable. Also if you get cramps/pain you don't want tight clothes around your abdomen.
- Think Positive; If you begin to panic you will get stressed and your flow will be heavier. You will also end up paranoid. Period's mean that you are healthy and fertile. There is nothing about Periods to be scared, embarrassed or ashamed of. You can still engage in all go your regular activities. Positive women learn to cope with their periods and are not frustrated while negative women are worried and constantly frustrated about their period.
- Ignore the Negativity; People always say that periods are really bad! Packaging tells us periods are inconvenient and embarrassing. They are not. You are going to have them for the rest of your life so you may as well be positive.
- Influence; This is going to influence your life positively. It means you are developing correctly and there is no concern.
- Doctor; If your period lasts a long time (10+ Days) you should let someone know (Parents, Doctor, Medical Professional etc.)
- Doctor; If you do not have your period after you have had it even a few times you should contact a medical professional.
- Doctor; If your periods become really painful where you can not do daily tasks contact a medical professional and seek advice.
Reliable Sites
These sites are all reliable and have people who have either experienced menstruation, doctors, medical professionals, parents and government organisations. . These sources and people are from all around the world.
Some reliable sites about Puberty and Menstruation especially in females are:
Some reliable sites about Puberty and Menstruation especially in females are:
- girlshealth.gov
- womenshealth.gov
- pinklockersociety.org
- betterhealth.vic.gov.au
- beinggirl.com
- kidshealth.org
- nwhn.org
- sexualityandu.ca
- nhs.uk