Menstruation (For
Teens)
What is a
menstrual cycle?
What
happens during the cycle?
What is a period?
How many days should a menstrual period last?
How often should I change my pad/tampon?
Can I still be active during my period?
How can I predict when my period will come so I
don't have any "surprises?"
What does it mean if I skip a period?
Why would I stop having my period?
Will I have a period for the rest of my life?
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What is a menstrual cycle?
A menstrual cycle is
how a woman's body prepares for the possibility of pregnancy each month. A
menstrual period is just one part of this cycle. A cycle's length is
determined by counting from the first day of one period to the first day
of the next period. The average menstrual cycle is 28 days long. However,
a cycle can range anywhere from 23 days to 35 days.
What happens during the
cycle?
During the menstrual
cycle, an egg is released from the ovaries. While the egg is traveling
down the fallopian tubes and towards the uterus, the uterus is building up
a lining that consists of extra blood and tissue. The lining of the uterus
will thicken and, if pregnancy occurs, blood vessels in the lining will
enlarge to nourish the growing fetus. If the egg becomes fertilized by a
sperm cell, the egg will attach itself to the uterine wall and a fetus
will begin to develop. If the egg goes unfertilized, the thick lining that
builds up during the menstrual cycle is not needed and is shed during your
period. The unfertilized egg either dissolves or is absorbed into the
body. After the period ends, a new menstrual cycle begins.
What is a period?
A period is a part
of the menstrual cycle when the thick uterine lining and extra blood are
shed through the vaginal canal. Periods can be light, moderate, or heavy,
and the menstrual blood that is shed can range from a few tablespoons to a
1/2 cup per period. This can vary from girl to girl, and it can vary from
period to period for the same girl. Many girls experience a light flow for
the first day or two, then a heavier flow, followed by another light day.
Some girls have a heavy flow on the first day. For the first few years
after you start menstruating, your period may be very irregular. How old
is a girl when she gets her first period? In the United States, the
average age a girl starts menstruating is 12. However, this does not mean
that all girls start at the same age. A girl can begin menstruating
anytime between the ages of 8 and 16. Menstruation will not occur until
all parts of a girl's reproductive system have matured and are working
together. This time in a young woman’s life if called "puberty."
How many
days should a menstrual period last?
Because all girls
are different, menstrual periods can vary from girl to girl. One girl
might have a 3-day period and another girl might have a 7-day period. It
might take several years for a girl's period to become regular. One month
the period might last 4 days, whereas the next month it might be 6 days.
Some women experience irregular periods for several years and might not
ever be "regular." Some doctors will prescribe birth control pills to help
regulate your menstrual cycle. Talk to your doctor to find how you can
regulate your cycle if it is irregular.
How often should I
change my pad/tampon?
Sanitary napkins
(pads) should be changed as often as necessary, before the pad is soaked
with menstrual flow. Each woman decides for herself what is comfortable.
Tampons should be changed every 4 hours. Make sure that you use the lowest
absorbency of tampon available. For example, do not use super absorbency
on the lightest day of your period. This can put you at risk for Toxic
Shock Syndrome (TSS). TSS is a rare but potentially deadly disease. The
risk of TSS can be lessened or avoided by not using tampons, or by
alternating between tampons and pads during your period. If you experience
any of the following symptoms while you are menstruating and using
tampons, you should contact your doctor immediately:
Can I still be
active during my period?
Yes. Your period
should not affect your daily activities. You can continue to exercise,
swim, bike ride, and have fun. Some girls and women even find that
exercising while they are having their menstrual period reduces or
prevents stomach cramps and discomfort.
How can I
predict when my period will come so I don't have any "surprises?"
The easiest way to
figure out when your period is going to begin is to keep track of it on a
calendar. Mark the first day of your period each month. Now count the days
between periods. Beginning with the first day you marked and count to the
second day you marked. Do this for a few months and then you will be able
calculate how many days there usually are between your periods. This will
help you prepare yourself for your period and keep you from being
surprised.
What does it mean
if I skip a period?
There are several
reasons why you might skip a period one month:
-
Age – If you have
just started having your period, it might not come every month. If you
are an older woman who is approaching menopause, (when your periods
stop), you might also skip a period.
-
Exercise -
Excessive exercise might cause you to skip a period.
-
Stress - Stress
and highly emotional times in your life may cause you to miss a period
or two.
-
Illness - If you
are sick, you might also miss a period.
If you miss more
than a period or two (if you have been having regular periods previously),
contact your health care provider.
Why would I stop
having my period?
The absence of a
menstrual period is called Amenorrhea. This condition describes women who
have not had a period in their teenage years or women who used to have a
regular period that has stopped. There are several causes for Amenorrhea:
-
Pregnancy is the
most common reason for a woman to stop having her menstrual period
-
Breastfeeding
-
Extreme weight
loss that can be caused by serious illness, eating disorders, or
excessive exercising
-
Gland problems
(pituitary, thyroid, or adrenal)
-
Reproductive
problems
If your period has
not started by the age of 16, or if you have stopped having your period,
while you are still young, contact your doctor.
Will I have a
period for the rest of my life?
No. A woman will no
longer be able to reproduce once she reaches menopause. Menopause occurs
around the age of 50. Menopause means that a woman is no longer ovulating
(producing eggs) and therefore can no longer become pregnant. Like
menstruation, menopause can vary from woman to woman and may take several
years to occur.
How do I know if I
need to see a doctor about my period?
You should consult
your doctor for the following:
-
If you have not
started menstruating by the age of 16
-
If your period has
suddenly stopped
-
If you are
bleeding for more days than usual
-
If
you are bleeding excessively
-
If you suddenly
feel sick after using tampons
-
If you bleed
between periods (more than just a few drops)
-
If
you have unbearable pain during your period
from
The Office On Women's Health - US Department of Health and Human Services
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