Understanding Menstruation: A Detailed Guide for All Ages

Menstruation, or periods, is a natural physical occurrence in women or Assigned Females at Birth (AFAB). It refers to vaginal bleeding in a monthly cycle.

Menstruation in women usually starts during puberty and lasts until Menopause. Although experiencing the menstrual cycle is normal, its nature usually varies widely.

These variations occur in flow, symptoms, and associated complications. Hence, it is important to be aware of these aspects to manage the period symptoms properly.

This article will dig deeper into the several aspects of menstruation and the myths surrounding this phenomenon in detail.

Phases of Menstruation

A normal menstrual cycle may last from 24 to 38 days on average, depending on the person. It usually consists of four distinct phases.

The first phase of menstruation is the menstrual phase (days 1-5), where the uterus sheds its lining in the form of vaginal bleeding. The second phase is the follicular phase (day 1-13), when the follicles in the ovaries mature in preparation for ovulation.

After this phase, women undergo the third phase of ovulation (around day 14), in which the ovaries release an egg for fertilization. In the end, a woman undergoes the luteal phase (days 15-28).

During this phase, the uterine lining thickens to prepare for pregnancy. This period is often followed by luteal phase discharge.

Types of Menstrual Disorders

Menstruation is often followed by different types of disorders. The following are the most common disorders of menstruation:

• Dysmenorrhea: Dysmenorrhea refers to painful periods. While some women face primary Dysmenorrhea, others may experience secondary Dysmenorrhea. Some of the most common causes of Dysmenorrhea include hormonal changes, uterine contractions, and serious conditions like Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID).
• Menorrhagia: It refers to heavy and prolonged menstrual bleeding. The usual causes of prolonged menstrual bleeding include hormonal imbalance, uterine structural problems, or PID.
• Amenorrhea: Amenorrhea is a condition that refers to the absence of menstruation in women who are of reproductive age. It often gives rise to symptoms like vaginal dryness and infertility. Most women experience it due to causes like hormonal imbalance or conditions like Perimenopause or Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS).
• Oligomenorrhea: Oligomenorrhea refers to a condition in which a woman does not have periods for more than 35 days.
• Retrograde Menstruation: Retrograde menstruation refers to a disorder in which the period blood flows backward into the pelvic cavity instead of out.
• Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) and Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD): These disorders refer to a range of pre-period symptoms, which can both be physical and psychological.

Symptoms Associated with Menstruation

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Menstruation has several symptoms, and they may vary from individual to individual. It consists of both physical and emotional signs.

It is important to be aware of these symptoms and seek medical help if needed. This section will discuss these different symptoms of periods in detail.

Physical Period Symptoms

A woman can face different types of symptoms simultaneously during their periods. Some of the most common physical symptoms include:

• Menstruation poop
• Cervical mucus before menstruation
• Abdominal or pelvic period cramps
• Headache from menstruation (Migraines in severe cases)
• Food cravings and weight gain
• Breast Tenderness
• Menstruation Diarrhea
• Fatigue

Emotional Period Symptoms

Besides the above-mentioned physical symptoms, most women experience several emotional symptoms during their 28-day-long cycle. These are as follows:

• Mood swings
• Irritability
• Anxiety
• Depression

Complications Associated with Menstrual Cycle

There are certain complications associated with the menstrual cycle, which can sometimes cause spotting before periods. Some of these complications that cause spotting and other menstrual irregularities are:

• Endometriosis is a condition is a condition in which tissue like the uterus grows outside of it. It can cause Endometriosis fleshy tissue during the period, and irregular menstruation.
• Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a condition where the ovaries produce more male hormones than necessary. It often leads to menstruation heavy flow and is one of the major reasons for late menstruation and missed periods.
• Fibroids refer to tumors that grow on the wall of the uterus. It often leads to spotting between menstruation and ghost periods and solidifying the link between menstruation and pain.

Link Between Menstruation and Special Conditions

Menstruation and the immune system in women are often interlinked. Hormone fluctuations around the different phases can increase or suppress immunity.

During the follicular and ovulation phase, the Estrogen levels are high, which boosts the immune system. However, it can worsen the symptoms in women with autoimmune diseases.

The immune system is usually suppressed during the luteal phase, often resulting in infections and flu during this menstrual phase. Changes in appetite can also affect women with Diabetes and give rise to eating disorders.

Management Methods During Menstruation

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The management method during menstruation differs for every woman. While some women may benefit from lifestyle changes, others may find medications and alternative therapies more effective.

This section will discuss the above-mentioned management techniques in detail.

Lifestyle Changes

One of the best management methods for menstruation symptoms is to workout with periods.  It can help improve blood flow and release Endorphins, which can help relieve pain and mood swings.

Doctors may often suggest avoiding certain foods during periods. Avoiding foods like caffeine, red meat, and fried foods can reduce period symptoms like Diarrhea and bloating.

Some women may wonder, “Why do we crave chocolate during periods?” This is often common in the menstrual cycle due to PMS cravings, hormonal fluctuations, and to fill the gap of Magnesium deficiency during this time. Doctors also recommend it to improve one’s mood.

Additionally, the question “How to get regular periods naturally?” also comes up regularly. One can opt for hydration, stress management, and using herbal remedies like ginger and cinnamon for relief.

Medications and Alternative Therapies

In order to reduce cramps and abdominal pain, doctors typically prescribe pain relievers. They may also suggest using hormonal pills to improve regular ovulation and prevent irregular periods.

Experts may also suggest hormonal pills to maintain a regular first period after miscarriage and first period postpartum. If a person is wondering how to stop heavy periods, they can select hormonal contraceptives.

Some individuals can benefit from alternative therapies like bed rest, hot compress, Acupuncture, and Aromatherapy.

Period Myths

Although periods are quite common, there are certain myths associated with it. It often brings up topics like “Can men menstruate?” or “trans woman period.” The fact is that neither men nor trans women experience periods.

While most people believe that irregular periods always point toward infertility, the claim is false. Even a woman with irregular periods and ovulation can conceive with proper means.

Conclusion

Menstruation (periods) is a crucial time in reproductive females and refers to vaginal bleeding for a few days once a month. This phase happens in four phases, usually followed by several physical and emotional symptoms.

Although it is a common occurrence, in some cases, individuals can face irregularities in their periods. This can often disrupt the natural flow of their life and give rise to abnormalities like blood clots or spotting before periods.

Menstruation can often affect one’s immunity and worsen the symptoms of autoimmune diseases or infections like flu. However, these conditions usually vary depending on the phase of the cycle.

Doctors usually suggest lifestyle and dietary changes to get relief from its symptoms naturally. However, in severe cases, one may opt for hormonal medications and alternative therapies.

Frequently Asked Questions

• ClevelandClinic.org
• MayoClinic.org
• Webmd.com