Everything about menstruation

Menstruation, is a natural biological process in the female body: every month, an egg matures in one of the ovaries. After ovulation, it moves towards the uterus. If it is fertilized by a sperm, it nests in the lining of the uterus - this has built up since the last menstrual period to protect the egg. If fertilization does not take place, the egg is expelled from the vagina together with the mucous membrane: This results in bleeding from the vagina. This entire process is also known as the menstrual cycle. Many hormones, the reproductive organs and the nervous system are involved in this very complex process in the female body. This is why menstruation is not only noticeable through the bleeding, but also through many other factors.
 

First period

The first period begins at an average age of between 11 and 15 years. It is also called menarche. It is not a reason to go to the doctor unless the young woman has very severe symptoms that cannot be remedied with our preparation or other home remedies. As soon as a girl has had her first menstruation, she can become pregnant.

Duration of the menstrual cycle

The menstrual cycle - the period between the first day of your period and the first day of your next bleed - lasts an average of 28 days. However, every woman is different - the menstrual cycle can vary between 21 and 35 days. External factors also have an influence on menstruation: women on a diet, top athletes or women with eating disorders such as anorexia often have an irregular menstrual cycle or sometimes none at all. Stress can also affect menstruation and shift it within the cycle.

Timing of menstruation

Menstruation starts on the first day of the cycle of approx. 28 days. If the egg has been fertilized, so-called implantation bleeding may occur shortly after ovulation. Interim and spotting bleeding should always be clarified with your gynecologist.

Color and smell of menstruation

The blood during menstruation is normally red to brownish in color. It usually also contains small lumps of tissue, which is the shed lining of the uterus. Menstrual blood should smell fresh. If this is not the case, there may be an infection. In this case, consult your gynecologist.

Last period

Women have their period until the so-called menopause, i.e. the time when the hormone balance in the body changes and the woman is no longer fertile. On average, women get their last period between the ages of 45 and 55.

Complaints before and during menstruation

Pimples, cravings, headaches, bad moods, water retention and, of course, abdominal cramps: most women suffer from a variety of symptoms before (PMS, premenstrual syndrome) and during their period that accompany the bleeding. The cramps in the lower abdomen can range from unpleasant to very painful, but they have a function: by contracting and loosening the uterus, the tissue and mucous membrane loosen more easily and can therefore be shed more quickly. Hormones are “to blame” for the skin problems, or more precisely their fluctuations during the cycle: oestrogen levels rise before ovulation, fall again shortly afterwards and progesterone levels rise instead. This disrupts the skin's barrier and immune function and skin conditions such as acne can worsen.

Living with the menstrual cycle

Studies show that it can be worthwhile to take a close look at your menstrual cycle. Hormone fluctuations have an influence on general well-being, and not just during your period. If you take this into account throughout your life, you can also take advantage of the strengths of hormones: Oestrogen also affects the brain. In the first half of the cycle, women are more receptive, can concentrate better and are more efficient. It can be useful to master difficult tasks or start new projects full of energy during this time. After ovulation, oestrogen levels fall and progesterone comes into play. This also lowers energy levels - now is the best time to cut back a little, take on easier tasks or complete one or two projects in peace. Shortly before your period, both hormones are at their lowest: PMS, irritability, headaches or exhaustion are the result. Now is the right time to relax. But not lying on the couch! Because light exercise helps with both PMS and period pains.
 

Tips against menstrual cramps

• Craving chocolate? Magnesium tablets are the better alternative. The craving signals to the body that it is lacking this mineral - it has a relaxing effect.
• Caffeine can increase the pain. It is therefore best to avoid coffee, cola and black or green tea.
• Instead, drink plenty of tea or water to avoid dehydration.
• Stress promotes cramping, so try to relax whenever possible.
• Keep moving! Light sporting activities are good for you and also have a relaxing effect. So how about a walk or a yoga session?
• If warmth helps you - this varies from woman to woman - then make yourself cozy and warm and drink something warm. A hot bath or a cherry stone cushion on your stomach can also have a relaxing effect.
• Make sure you get enough sleep. Tired women are more sensitive to pain and more irritable.
• If it is not uncomfortable for you: try sex. The endorphins released during sex also relax the muscles in your lower abdomen.
• Painkillers or hormone preparations can also help with severe menstrual pain that interferes with your life. In this case, ask your gynecologist.

 

What influences menstruation?

Every girl and every woman knows that no cycle is one hundred percent regular, no period is the same length, bleeding is sometimes weaker, sometimes heavier. In addition to the hormone levels at the time of menstruation, there are other factors that can influence this natural process:

• Both severely malnourished and severely overweight women often have an irregular cycle.
• Immediately after the birth of a child, the cycle can also be irregular over a longer period of time.
• Women who are exposed to a lot of stress and overexertion are more likely to have irregular periods or even no periods at all. This also applies to competitive athletes who subject their bodies to high physical exertion
• Physical and mental balance has a positive influence on menstruation, its regularity and also pain during periods.
• Women who are overweight often bleed more than women of normal weight. This also applies to women who are about to go through the menopause.
• Diseases can influence the regularity or amount of blood during menstruation:
  • Myomas in the uterus (benign growths)
  • Endometriosis (uterus-like tissue on the ovaries, intestines or peritoneum)
  • Polycystic ovary syndrome (ovarian cysts)
  • Pelvic diseases resulting from an infection