On the surface, this question can seem absurd. We all understand what a period is, don't we? We are aware of the discomfort. We are aware of the imbalanced hormone feeling. We are aware that it is related to our menstrual cycle. We are aware that it usually makes an appearance once a month. It is known to start around puberty. We also know that it can be uncomfortable, cause bleeding (sometimes a lot), and occasionally be a little bit embarrassing. How much do we really know about periods?
What Exactly Is a Period?
The menstrual cycle portion of your hormonal cycle is referred to as your period. Although your body goes through other hormone cycles throughout the month, this one is more obvious because of the blood your body produces.
Your body gets ready for pregnancy every month. The egg will depart from the ovaries, proceed through the fallopian tube, and then enter the endometrium, the uterus' lining. No pregnancy happens once the body realizes there isn't a fertilized egg. Your uterus's lining is naturally removed by your body to make room for the formation of a new lining. This nutrient-rich tissue and the blood that surrounds it are expelled through your vagina.
How does your body change when you get your period?
Your body goes through a few minor changes that might impair mood and general well-being, in addition to the blood and discomfort that are associated with your period.
For instance, your body loses water due to blood loss and starts to bloat in an effort to stay hydrated. Additionally, because blood is the body's main transporter of iron, your iron levels drop.
As your hormone levels change, you start to produce more progesterone and estrogen, which control your cycle. It's simple to feel worn out, angry, agitated, or even physically ill during your period due to the myriad of bodily functions that are taking place. But knowing what you're losing (such as water and iron), what kind of activity your body requires, and how your hormones are working can all help you manage your period effectively.
How long do periods last?
Typically the monthly menstrual cycle can last anywhere from three to five days, from beginning to end. This is different for everyone, however, it's important to always check with your doctor if your period is lasting too many or too little amount of days.
Monitoring your menstrual cycle's duration, the days it begins and ends, your flow rate, as well as any period-related symptoms you may be feeling, is the simplest way to determine whether it is normal (or abnormal, for that matter). Some women opt to keep a journal for this, but there are also a few excellent apps that may help you keep track of this data electronically.
How much blood is typically lost during a period?
Let's quickly explain the term "flow," which is a term used to describe the quantity of menstrual blood that leaves your vagina during your period, before we proceed to the solution to this issue. The amount of someone's menstrual bleeding may be described using the terms heavy flow or light flow. Despite the fact that these are rather self-explanatory, we should nonetheless clarify that heavy flow denotes significant amounts of heavy bleeding, whilst light flow denotes minor amounts of bleeding.
Even though each person's period is a bit different, the majority expel between a half and a cup of fluids over the duration of the menstrual cycle (3 to 8 days).
Additionally, it's quite usual for the first one or two days of your period to be heavier than the last few, with the flow typically becoming lighter as your period comes to a conclusion. When deciding which sizes of tampons, pads, or cups to use, these variances in flow have more practical implications. The majority of women typically use two or three different sizes of period protection products, using the larger sizes for heavier frontal flows and the smaller ones for milder flows in the back.
How can I determine whether my period is heavy?
It may be challenging to determine where your period falls on the spectrum because every period is different. Typically, a "heavy period" is characterized by a few very particular symptoms. If you experience any or all of the symptoms listed below, you might be going through a more intense period than usual.
- Do you have bleeding that has lasted longer than a week?
- Are you using one or more tampons or sanitary pads every hour for several hours straight?
- Do you need to use two sanitary napkins to regulate your menstrual flow?
- Does changing period products require you to get up in the middle of the night?
- Do you pass clots of blood that are bigger than a quarter?
- Do you limit or postpone everyday activities as a result of severe menstrual bleeding?
- Do you experience anemia's signs, such as exhaustion, weariness, or shortness of breath?
If you indicated that you were experiencing any of these symptoms, you should speak with your doctor about whether you are having heavier-than-normal periods or abnormal bleeding. These signs and symptoms may indicate additional illnesses that require discussion with your doctor.
What signs would you expect from a regular period?
We can now examine what menstruation should resemble after defining the signs that provide us with hints to diagnose a heavy period. Remember that most people should have an experience like this.
The week before your period or throughout it, you should ideally not be feeling any symptoms other than a mild twinge in your uterus. These could be signs of hormonal imbalance, which can be brought on by inadequate diet, excessive stress, or inflammation, include estrogen dominance and/or progesterone deficiency.
What are the remedies for period pain and associated symptoms?
There are natural ways to cope with period symptoms. First, it's important to note what is causing intense period symptoms to better recognize when to go to your doctor if symptoms escalate.
The endometrial cells that line your uterus release a lot of prostaglandins before to your menstruation. These prostaglandins are generated during menstruation when the uterine lining degrades and sheds. Now, during menstruation, these prostaglandins have a very special duty to do: they are made to constrict blood vessels, specifically the blood vessels that cause the uterus to contract. Although this uterine contraction is required to remove the blood and dead tissue, it can also result in the uncomfortable side effect of cramps.
When compared to women who have little to no period pain, women with period cramps have larger levels of these prostaglandins in the uterine lining. Your period cramps will occur more frequently and be more painful the more prostaglandin your body produces. Prostaglandin levels that are excessively high can also cause damage to other physiological systems, causing symptoms of your period to include include nausea, diarrhea, and headaches.
Should I avoid swimming or participating in sports during my period?
Your period shouldn't be painful, as we've addressed in prior sections. If you are taking care of yourself, you shouldn't be feeling any debilitating symptoms that would make you want to avoid participating in activities like sports, swimming, or just having fun in general. Instead, your period should simply appear each month if you are having healthy periods. Once more, if your period is so crippling, please seek medical advice.
While being active, sometimes using tampons, menstrual cups or discs can be more comfortable that wearing a pad. Which period product you use is completely up to you, but trying out different kinds might help you feel protected and confident during that time of month.
What should I be aware of about pads, menstrual cups, and tampons?
Period care comes in a variety of forms and settings. Really, your choice of method should be based on personal preference. So that you can make an informed choice, we'll explain what each one is.
A period pad is an absorbent pad that resembles fabric and adheres to your underwear to catch the flow of your period as it happens. Many people appreciate this product's simplicity and non-evasive effectiveness. The size of the pads varies depending on the flow rates.
When you use a tampon for period protection, the flow is absorbed before it leaves your vagina. Tampons come in a wide range of sizes as well. For heavier period flow, large sizes are ideal. The ideal sizes for lighter flow are smaller ones. You should be aware that using a tampon for an extended period of time might cause toxic shock syndrome, a hazardous condition that necessitates changing your tampon every six to eight hours. So long as you're cautious, nothing should go wrong!
Instead of using a tampon, you can use a menstrual cup, which is a little cup composed of flexible and body-safe plastic. It rests directly below the cervix and holds any blood or lining loss for up to 12 hours. A tampon absorbs your blood, whereas a period cup collects it. This is the fundamental distinction between the two period products.
Even for your first period, pads, tampons, and cups are all secure and efficient to use. The instructions on each product's packaging will tell you how to use each one correctly and safely, which is the most crucial thing to know. Select the option that most closely matches your lifestyle and personal preferences.
