Menstruation

Menstruation is when a woman bleeds when she did not conceive a child during her cycle. It is also known as menes, or more commonly called a period or menstrual period. Menstruating is when a woman has her period. The flow is a combination of tissue and blood. This comes from inside the woman's uterus or more commonly known as the womb. The flow starts in the uterus and passes through the tiny opening in the cervix. Then it leaves the woman's body from her vaginal opening. A normal period will last around three to five days.

Menstruation is a part of the menstrual cycle, this is the time in which the woman's body is preparing for a potential pregnancy. This begins on the first day of the woman's period and can last for about 28 days on average. But it can actually last anywhere from 23 days to 35 days long.

There are several parts of the woman's body that need to work together in order for a woman to have a menstrual cycle. These parts include the pituitary gland, uterus, brain, vagina, fallopian tubes, cervix and ovaries. Hormones are the culprit, by them rising and falling they trigger the menstruation to begin. There are two major hormones that are made from the woman's body, they are progesterone and estrogen, which are made by the ovaries. There are some other hormones that are involved in menstruating. They are follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH), these are made from the pituitary gland.

In the beginning of the menstrual cycle, the levels of estrogen elevate, causing the lining in the uterus to become thicker and grow. The response to this is by follicle stimulation an egg is produced within one of the ovaries and begins to mature. Around day number 14 (assuming the typical cycle for you is 28 days)there is a triggered response in LH causing the egg to leave the ovary. This is called ovulation.

Now it is time for the egg to travel through the fallopian tube and into the uterus. The progesterone levels start to elevate to aid in the preparations for pregnancy. If the egg is fertilized by sperm it will attach itself to the uterine wall, viola the woman is pregnant. fertilized, it either dissolves or is absorbed into the body. If the egg does not become fertilized it will either be absorbed into the woman's body or it can be dissolved. The hormone levels decrease in the event pregnancy does not occur and the thick lining is released form the body during menstruation.

The uterine lining and the excess blood are shed during menstruation through the vaginal canal. All women's periods are not the same. They can change on a monthly basis, and may not be all that similar in comparison to the other women that they may know.

Periods can also vary in severity and flow from woman to woman and month to month. A woman's flow can be moderate, heavy or light. The majority of women seem to have their periods from 3-5 days per month, however it is normal for a woman to have her period for anywhere in the rage of 2 to 7 days.

When a woman first begins her cycle it may not be regular for a few years but this is normal. This is also true for the older women that are going into menopause. Menopause id a stage when a woman's reproductive organs are not going to be able to support pregnancy anymore.

If you experience any of the following it is important that you notify your doctor as soon as possible. You are older than 16, and still have not started your period, if your period has suddenly stopped, if it has severely increased flow, seems to last for more days than usual, and if you feel ill suddenly after you have used tampons.

For a young woman that is just starting to get her period, this can be a scary time for her. Her body is changing in ways that she never imagined. Now to top it off she has all kinds of feeling and aches and pains she never felt before. For so long, she couldn't wait until she started getting her period.

Some of the symptoms that many women experience in association with their menstrual cycle are cramping, just prior to the arrival of their period. Some may crave a certain food such as chocolate. There is a sudden onset of fatigue that goes along with becoming a mature woman. It has even been reported that some woman experience headaches in connection with their monthly menstruation cycle.

Bloating and irritability are also common symptoms of menstruating. Tender breasts, and even fevers have been know to be associated with menstruation. The symptoms that you may cause can vary from the symptoms that you friends may experience. This is normal, no two woman have the same symptoms and flow. Every woman is different.

Acne, backaches, constipation, diarrhea, problems with proper handling of stress and the inability to concentrate are some more of the symptoms that many women are forced to deal with ever month.. All of the symptoms that have been stated are signs of PMS. Pre menstrual syndrome. Many women experience one or more of these symptoms on a monthly basis. For the most part they soon subside, but if they become extremely bothersome you might want to consult your doctor and see what treatment may be needed f or you to be able to properly function during this time.

Pre menstrual syndrome seems to be at its worst point approximately 1 to 2 weeks prior to actually getting your period. Usually minimizing or completely disappearing once the period has started. Pre menstrual syndrome has been said to be connected to the changes in the woman's hormone levels during this particular time.

Thankfully there are numerous things that a woman can do in order for her to lessen the symptoms that she could be having from pre menstrual syndrome. A nutritious diet, cutting out caffeine during this time can also assist in the minimizing of some of the symptoms. Add some more vitamins like B complex ,vitamin E, magnesium, and calcium seem to be rather helpful. Adding in a daily routine of regular exercise and even meditation techniques can also prove to be well worth your time.

As far as medications are concerned you can most likely take over the counter pain relievers to help with some of the discomfort that you might be experiencing. Ibuprofen can be an effective medication to take to relieve the discomfort of back pain and any headaches. If you are suffering from multiple pre menstrual syndrome symptoms then you can check out the various PMS over the counter medications that you might want to try.

You can also discuss with your doctor any possible birth control pills that you can take to minimize your issues with the symptoms. Sometimes by using a birth control pill you can regulate your hormones and say good bye to many of the symptoms that you were once experiencing. Such as heavy flows, not on a specific cycle, making your period show up randomly throughout the months.

If you feel depressed more frequently or are have thoughts of harming yourself or others it is vital that you notify your doctor at once, and seek the help of professionals at your local emergency room or doctors office.