 If
you're a teenage girl you probably have started having a period.
If you have not, you might be anxious about the subject or
a bit concerned. This whole menstruation thing might seem
a bit mysterious, it is to many young women. It's actually
very complex, but interesting too.
Menstruation
is the outward proof that a girl is becoming a woman. Having
a period is your body's way of saying it’s functioning
properly.
During
puberty, hormones are released from the brain that stimulate
the ovaries. The ovaries then produce estrogen and progesterone
-- hormones that cause the eggs in the ovaries to mature so
the woman can become pregnant when she chooses to. Here's
how the process goes:
Every
month, one egg leaves one of the ovaries on its way to the
uterus via the fallopian tubes. Meanwhile, in preparation
for the egg, the uterus starts to develop a thicker lining
and it’s walls become cushiony (the endometrial lining).
If the egg reaches the uterus and is fertilized by a sperm
cell, it attaches to this cushiony wall.
Most of
the time the egg just passes right through without fertilization.
Since the uterus no longer needs the extra blood and tissue
which made up the walls thick, it sheds them by way of the
vagina. This cycle will happen nearly
every month until the ovaries stop releasing eggs, usually
several decades later. (Menopause).
 Periods
are different for every woman. Some girls start menstruation
when they're 9 or 10; some in their late teens. The length
of the cycle also varies. Some periods last longer than 28
days, some shorter. If you have just begun your menstruation,
your body will need time to regulate itself to these changes.
Your periods might be a bit erratic at first. You may have
two cycles in one month and miss having one the next month.
How long your period lasts also varies . Some girls have their
periods for only 3 or 4 days, others as long as a week. The
menstrual flow of blood can vary from woman to woman also.
Some girls may
have body and or mood changes around the time of their period.
Menstrual cramps are pretty
common during the first few days of your period. These are
most likely caused by prostagladins. Prostaglandins causes
the muscles of the uterus to contract. These cramps tend to
become less uncomfortable and sometimes even disappear completely
as a girl gets older. Over-the-counter pain medication like
ibuprofen or acetaminophen can often give relief; if not,
a health care provider can help. If your cramps are severe,
see a gynecologist.
As your
period approaches, you may experience premenstrual syndrome
(PMS). You may find your emotions amplified
during this time. Many women get depressed, irritated, angry,
and others cry more than usual or get cravings for certain
foods. PMS may be related to changes in hormones. Hormone
levels rise and fall during a menstrual cycle, affecting the
way a female feels both mentally and physically.
Emotions
can become more intense than usual, and many women may feel
bloated because of water retention. When your period begins,
PMS usually goes away. You may also have acne
flare-ups.
Periods
are a complex part of puberty, but also your body's way of
telling you it is functioning properly and you have taken
good care of it. You can still exercise, swim and do everything
you enjoy. If you have any questions about periods, ask a
parent, health teacher, health care provider, or nurse. You
can also ask friends or sisters who have already had their
periods. In time you will see that periods are a normal and
routine part of your life.
The "typical"
menstrual cycle occurs regularly over 28 days. Most women
have cycles with an interval that lasts from 21 to 35 days.
Frequently cycles are unusually short or long during adolescence.
THE
FIRST HALF OF THE MENSTRUAL CYCLE (Day
1 to About Day 14 in a 28-Day Cycle)
The
Menstrual Phase
The first day of your menstrual period is considered Day 1
of your cycle. The menstrual phase includes your period. During
this time, the endometrium (the built-up lining of the uterus)
is shed, along with a little blood. Many of the problems that
women experience with their menstrual cycle occur during this
phase. For example, some women experience menstrual disorders
such as dysmenorrhea (painful
periods) or menorrhagia (unusually heavy periods).
The
Follicular/Proliferate Phase
During the proliferate phase, the body produces a hormone
called follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). Follicle-stimulating
hormone promotes the growth of a follicle (egg sac) within
the ovary. An ovum (egg) matures in the follicle during the
proliferative phase. FSH also stimulates the ovary to produce
increasing amounts of estrogen. In turn, the estrogen causes
endometrial tissue to build up (or proliferate), lining the
interior of the uterus.
THE
MIDPOINT OF THE MENSTRUAL CYCLE (About Day 14 in
a 28-Day Cycle)
The mature
ovum bursts from the follicle about midway (approximately
2 weeks before onset of next menstrual period) through the
menstrual cycle. This process is known as ovulation. The ovum
then travels from the ovary down the fallopian tube, and into
the uterus.
The
Luteal/Secretory Phase
Once the ovum has been released, the follicle becomes a sac
known as the corpus luteum ("yellow body," because
it contains yellowish, fatty matter). A hormone called luteinizing
hormone (LH) causes the corpus luteum to grow and to secrete
progesterone, another female hormone.
During
the secretory phase, progesterone makes the endometrial lining
stronger and spongy in texture. Progesterone also stimulates
glands in the endometrium. These glands produce uterine fluid,
and their purpose is to support embryonic development if fertilization
has occurred at or around the time of ovulation. It is in
this phase of the menstrual cycle that women who suffer from
premenstrual syndrome (PMS) may begin to experience their
symptoms. Generally symptoms are worse during the last seven
to ten days of the cycle, ending at or soon after the start
of the menstrual period. In a woman who hasn't become pregnant,
the level of progesterone peaks about a week after ovulation
and then begins to drop along with the estrogen level. The
flow of blood to the endometrium decreases, and its upper
portion is broken down and shed during menstruation. At the
same time, the corpus luteum withers.
The dip
in estrogen and progesterone at the end of the cycle help
let the body know that it's time to start the cycle all over
again. The menstrual cycle doesn't have to be a drag, it actually
shows how complex your body is and a sign that it is functioning
properly! Congratulations, you are a woman and being a woman
is terrific!
The Ovarian
Cycle chart shows the maturation and deterioration of the
ovum and how it occurs every month.
The Endometrial
Cycle chart shows how the endometrial lining builds up during
the normal menstrual cycle and then is broken down and shed
during menstruation (menses). Meanwhile at the same time back
at the Ovarian Cycle chart, the corpus luteum withers.
Aren't
women amazing! The menstrual cycle is actually a very cool
and very complex process that results from the many parts
of the body working together. The brain, the ovaries, the
adrenal glands, and even the thyroid all have to come together
with their different hormonal and chemical influences. I guess
you could say it is kind of like a small orchestra in your
body.
Recommended
reading:
Gynecology , painful
periods and PMS. Check out
the sexual faqs page 15 for how
to insert a tampon. For honest information sexual health topics
see:
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