The first menstruation: what, where, when and how. “Why do women have periods? — All important questions about menstruation” How menstruation comes out

Explains how to properly use sanitary products (including a menstrual cup) and how PMS can lead to depression.

Tamilla Mamedova Gynecologist-endocrinologist/ultrasound doctor

1) Severe pain during menstruation is a reason to consult a doctor

Severe pain often occurs in nulliparous girls. After childbirth, menstruation usually becomes less painful, this is due to changes in the anatomy of the internal genital organs (the position of the body relative to the cervix changes or, for example, during pregnancy the curvature of the uterus changes shape and size). Another common cause of pain is endometriosis, when cells in the inner layer of the uterine wall grow outside of it.

If your periods are painful, reduce your productivity and worsen your quality of life, consult a doctor - he will determine treatment tactics.

It is believed that a predisposition to pain is transmitted genetically. But this is an unproven fact.

2) Painkillers can be taken at any time after the start of menstruation - the effect will be in any case

Many girls believe that painkillers must be taken before the onset of menstruation, otherwise they will not have any effect. Not really. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are commonly used to relieve pain during menstruation. If you take a pill some time after the start of your period, you will get a full pain-relieving effect.

3) Tampons need to be changed every 4-6 hours

If you use a tampon correctly (you choose the right size and change it regularly), there is no danger to women's health. They need to be changed every 4-6 hours, but, of course, it all depends on the amount of menstrual flow (it can be more often). There are also night tampons, but in essence they are no different from regular tampons and provide more reliable protection at night. There are no contraindications to their use.

4) When choosing gaskets, focus not on the price, but on the composition

Pads don't have many advantages over tampons. It's all about comfort. Some women absolutely cannot use tampons - they are uncomfortable or even painful. Pads are also used by girls who are not sexually active.

They need to be changed every 4-6 hours depending on the amount of discharge. The disadvantages of these hygiene products are the “greenhouse effect” due to the tight fit to the perineum and lack of air circulation, irritation and even allergic reactions. You need to focus not on the price, but first of all on the composition: natural materials (cotton), a minimum of fragrances and flavors.

5) Menstrual cup - an alternative to pads and tampons

A menstrual cup is a medical-grade silicone container that is inserted into the vagina and collects discharge during menstruation. Many people do not know about the existence of this personal hygiene product, although the first attempts to develop and use it were made back in the 19th century (of course, those devices are many times different from modern ones).

The menstrual cup has a number of advantages over tampons and pads: cost-effectiveness (one cup, with proper care, can last up to 10 years!), time in the vagina - up to 12 hours (unlike tampons and pads, which need to be changed more often) and environmental friendliness.

6) The main thing is to choose the right size of the menstrual cup

Manufacturers' websites have detailed instructions on how to determine the length of the vagina and choose the cup size yourself. The fact is that each manufacturer has its own size range; there is no universal scheme. Plus, the bowls are very soft and elastic. The first ones are less noticeable inside, but more difficult to remove. Keep in mind that you may not be able to insert and remove the cup the first time, but you will get the hang of it. I advise you to try using the cup before your period begins - this way you will determine for yourself the most comfortable position for inserting it.

It is important to store this hygiene product correctly (in a fabric bag) and process it promptly before use and after the end of menstruation.

After removing the tray, you need to rinse it under cold water, and then reinsert it, of course. Every month, the mouthguard must be sterilized in hot water for 3-5 minutes or use special sterilization tablets.

If you choose the right bowl size, you can use it at night and sleep peacefully.

7) Menstrual cups have contraindications

Menstrual cups should not be used by women with prolapse of the vaginal walls or pelvic organs (the cup will not stay in the vagina), as well as by virgins. Some manufacturers refute the second point, but I do not advise relying on these claims - you can damage the hymen.

8) Pay attention to the color of your discharge a few days before and after your period.

During menstruation, the discharge may have one color - red. But different shades depending on the intensity of bleeding are normal. You need to pay attention to the discharge a few days before and after menstruation: dark spotting these days can be one of the signs of endometriosis.

9) Having sex during menstruation is undesirable

It is possible to have sex, but it is not advisable. This may cause more bleeding and increase the risk of infection. It is possible to become pregnant during menstruation; such cases have been described, but they are quite rare and may be associated with an irregular menstrual cycle.

10) Heavy discharge during ovulation is normal

During ovulation, the amount of mucus in the cervix increases, due to this it opens and is ready to let sperm into the uterine cavity. Therefore, the presence of more abundant discharge during this period is the norm. A change in the color, smell, nature of the discharge (it was normal, but has become very liquid or cheesy), the appearance of itching, burning, discomfort in the vagina and in the external genital area is a reason to consult a doctor.

11) Cysts, sudden changes in body weight, flights, thyroid diseases are some of the reasons why menstruation may stop

The menstrual cycle is a very fragile mechanism; there are many reasons that can lead to its malfunction.

These are functional ovarian cysts, stress, long flights, changes in body weight (both sudden weight gain and weight loss from grueling diets).

The cessation of menstruation is caused by hormonal disorders (polycystic ovary syndrome, high levels of prolactin, diseases of the thyroid gland and adrenal glands), pathology of the uterus (frequent curettage, infections), and brain tumors.

12) Menstruation after childbirth begins a couple of months after the end of lactation

On average, the cycle is restored within several months after the end of lactation. But everything is individual. This depends on the duration of breastfeeding and the physiological characteristics of the woman.

13) Normally, menstruation should last no more than 7-8 days, and the amount of blood lost during this period should be no more than 80 ml

Since measuring the amount of blood lost is problematic (by the way, this can be done using menstrual cups), there are special questionnaires that allow you to determine the amount of blood loss. They are published in specialized journals for gynecologists; there are no direct links to them on the Internet. At your appointment, you can ask the gynecologist to conduct a survey. As a rule, the following questions are asked: do you wake up at night to change hygiene products, are there any clots, how long does one hygiene product last, does your lifestyle change during your period, etc.

This is very important, because too heavy periods can not only lead to chronic anemia and significantly reduce a woman’s quality of life, but also be a sign of serious female diseases (uterine fibroids, endometriosis, endometrial hyperplasia).

By the way, there is an opinion that during menstruation, alcohol also contributes to the dilation of blood vessels and increased bleeding, but this has little evidence. You can drink alcohol in small quantities.

15) The appearance of skin rashes before and during menstruation is not a pathology

During menstruation and PMS, fluctuations in the levels of the hormones estrogen and progesterone occur. There is a lot of progesterone, little estrogen - hence all the symptoms: chest pain, increased appetite.

Fluid retention during this period can lead to weight gain. The norm is no more than 2-3 kg. During menstruation, eat in small portions.

Due to hormonal changes and the excessive action of androgens, rashes may appear on the skin. This is not a pathology, but they can be prevented by prescribing combined oral contraceptives.

16) PMS can lead to depression

PMS is a complex set of symptoms that occur due to fluctuations in sex hormone levels. That is, this condition is far from a myth! PMS can manifest itself with a variety of symptoms: swelling, breast tenderness and irritability, and even severe depression.

Severe PMS leading to distress and depression is also called premenstrual dysphoric disorder. Its obligatory condition is the cyclical manifestation of symptoms: 5-10 days before menstruation and ending at the moment of their onset.

Another remarkable property: PMS is characteristic only of ovulatory cycles and, if for some reason there is no ovulation, then PMS is not expressed.

17) Average cycle length - 21-38 days

The normal length of the menstrual cycle for a healthy woman is 21-38 days. But there are patients with a regular but long cycle, for example, 40-42 days. Is this pathology? It is generally accepted that if the cycle is long, but at the same time ovulatory, then this is a variant of the norm for a particular patient.

If a woman's cycle is consistently irregular, her period comes several times a month - this is not the norm and you should consult a doctor.

18) Permissible fluctuations in the menstrual cycle - +/- 2 days

It happens that a girl’s period comes like clockwork, but this time there was a glitch. But foreign authors say that a delay of up to 20 days in patients with a regular cycle is a variant of the norm. There can be many reasons for this, the most common are stress, change in weather conditions, heavy physical activity.

But there may be other reasons - ovarian cysts, hormonal disorders, taking medications. My advice: if your period does not come on time, wait 7 days and contact your gynecologist. If, against the background of a delay, you have other complaints - vaginal discharge, abdominal pain - you need to contact a gynecologist as soon as possible.

19) Do not exclude sports during menstrual periods

It all depends on the woman’s well-being and the intensity of menstrual bleeding.

It is better to avoid heavy force loads on the lumbar region in the gym; lifting weights can increase bleeding, but stretching or yoga according to a special program, on the contrary, will relieve stress.

20) Girls’ cycles are not “synchronized”

There is an opinion that girls who spend a long time together have a synchronized cycle. Is this a myth or a coincidence! There is no scientific evidence for this.

Similar materials from the category

The onset of menstruation (months) in teenage girls is an important stage of puberty. This is one of many signs that a girl is entering puberty and can now become pregnant.

Menstruation is a delicate topic that not every family’s parents can cover correctly and explain what is happening, give scientific information about what changes are now happening to her body and what will now change in her life. Many girls dread the day they get their period, and some look forward to the change. What you feel at this moment is normal.

Unfortunately, due to fragmented data and the absence of special classes on reproductive health in the school curriculum, many girls and most boys lack basic knowledge about the structure of the female reproductive system and what menstruation is and how it occurs, and the rules of safe hygiene and protection. This is very sad, because a simple lack of reliable information in this extremely important area can lead to unpleasant consequences for your health.

Signs of the first menstruation

The first menstruation in teenage girls can begin at different ages and depends on when puberty began, when the body begins to mature and enter the phase when the girl becomes sexually mature, that is, she is able to become pregnant.

One of the first noticeable signs of the onset of puberty is the “swelling” of the breasts. This should not be confused with the growth of a real breast: this means that the nipple simply becomes more prominent. For other girls, the first sign may be the appearance of pubic hair. On average, after 4-4.5 years, menstruation usually begins, but the normal range is from one and a half to six years.

Often a sign of the age at which menarche occurs—the first menstruation in a girl's life—is the appearance of armpit hair and breast growth to the size of an adult bra (with A, B, C cups, etc.). From this point on, you can expect your period to start between 3 and 6 months, if it hasn't already started. A common sign of the onset of menstruation is a slowdown in growth.

Then, within six months, the girl may notice an increase in pubic hair growth or the appearance of pubic hair, and after another six months, the peak moment of growth occurs. After another year, the breasts grow to adult size and hair appears on the armpits. The first period usually occurs during or after 4 months after this.

Six months before the first menstruation, many girls notice an increase in the volume of vaginal discharge: this is normal

Important! If there is itching or a strong odor before the first menstruation, you should consult a gynecologist for advice: this may be a sign of infection.

At what age do menstruation begin and what should the menstrual cycle be like?

The age range may vary; on average, women of the European race begin menstruation at the age of 12-13 years.

However, it is worth considering that the age at first menstruation tends to decrease. Some girls may start their period at the age of 10 or 11, others at 15.

The interval between menstruation is called the menstrual cycle. It is counted from the first day of menstruation until the beginning of the next one.

For some it is 28 days, but it can be shorter or longer, from 21 to 45 days. Typically, after menarche, the cycle may take some time to settle, and the cycle may be longer at first. After a couple of years, it is reduced to 21-34 days.

Many girls are faced with the fact that in the first years after menarche, periods may be irregular: this is normal, the body may need some time to establish a stable cycle. For example, during this period a girl may have two cycles of 28 days, and then her period may not come on time in the next one. Although the cycle usually becomes regular within a couple of years, for about a third of women it remains unstable.

Menstruation must be noted in a special calendar or in an application on the phone. You need to celebrate from the first day of your period until the end, and so on. The length of the cycle is counted from the first day of menstruation to the beginning of a new menstruation. For example, if your period started on January 1st, then lasted for 4 days, and then started on January 30th, then you need to mark the days from the first to the fourth and the 30th as days of menstruation and count the number of days from January 1st to the 30th. e (the 30th will be the start date of the next cycle). It turns out 29—this is the length of the menstrual cycle.

How long does your period last and how much blood is released?

Many girls wonder if their periods are normal: it's completely normal when you don't know what to expect!

The duration of menstruation can vary: some have 2-3 days, some even 7, but on average menstruation lasts 3-5 days. The amount of blood released also varies from person to person.

Blood during the first menstruation, as well as menstruation in general, may differ in color on different days. Often on the very first day the blood has a red-brown tint, darker than in subsequent days. Sometimes on days when your periods are particularly heavy, clots may be released: do not be alarmed, this is due to the fact that the blood has simply clotted. The brown color of menstruation may also occur in the last days: this means that the blood has been in the uterus for a long time and has had time to oxidize.

Many girls are afraid that they are losing too much blood. Most often this is just out of habit: in fact, usually the total volume is about 30-40 milliliters, which is about two tablespoons. Usually girls change their pads 3-6 times a day, and sometimes more often, especially if their periods are heavy (usually this happens in the first two days of menstruation).

The problem of puberty in Russia is relevant in our time. It so happens that in many Russian families, discussions with children about issues of sexual development, marriage, and childbirth are left “behind the scenes.” But not only parents, but also teachers in schools need to hold conversations with children and schoolchildren, striving for competent sex education for our descendants.

Puberty, as a physiological process, occurs in a certain sequence.

In prepuberty, rapid growth and the appearance of the first signs of femininity in the figure are observed: the hips are rounded as a result of the growth and uniform redistribution of fatty tissue, and the female pelvis is formed. Many girls begin to feel embarrassed about such changes. Therefore, during this important and responsible period, the mother needs to talk extremely gently and carefully with the girl about sexual development.

In the puberty phase (10 - 12 years), the mammary glands grow, which is called thelarche; The beginning of pubic hair growth is noted (11 years - 12 years) - this is called pubarche. The end is the onset of the first menstruation - menarche (menstruation begins in girls aged about 12 - 13 years), coinciding with the completion of body growth in length.

What are periods (menstruation)?

Menstruation, and from the medical side - menstruation, is the rejection of the endometrium (the mucous membrane of the inner layer of the uterus), a rhythmic process that repeats at certain intervals. Menstruation is the completion of a physiological process - the menstrual cycle, which lasts 3 - 4 weeks.

During puberty, the hypothalamus and pituitary gland begin to produce gonadotropic hormones (FSH-follicle-stimulating hormone and LH-luteinizing hormone), which trigger the mechanism of follicle growth, steroid production and egg maturation. In the mucous membranes of the uterus, vagina, and cervical canal, cyclic changes occur that correspond to the phases of the menstrual cycle.

Cycle phases

The menstrual cycle has several phases:

• the phase of endometrial rejection, which has individual durations from one day to several days. This is a very complex process, after which the process of endometrial growth immediately begins, which occurs with extraordinary speed;
• then the proliferation phase begins (with a normal 4-day cycle) begins on the 5th day and lasts until the 14th day of the menstrual cycle. Every day the process of endometrial growth increases, and by the end of the proliferation phase, the growth of the endometrium in thickness reaches its maximum;
• after the proliferation phase, the secretion phase will begin from the 15th to the 28th day of the menstrual cycle. In this phase, the growth of the endometrium stops and its preparation begins for the reception of a fertilized egg, or for rejection (if fertilization of the egg does not occur).

It should be noted that menstruation is not only changes that occur in the reproductive organ - the uterus, but manifestations of changes in the whole organism.

Changes in the body

Before the onset of menstruation, the body signals this various manifestations, among them:

• nagging pain in the lower back and sacrum;
• headache;
• feeling overwhelmed;
• tension in the nipples;
• weight gain;
• in many girls and young women, a few days before the onset of menstruation, heavy mucous discharge begins;
• possible, but not always, increased body temperature, fluctuations.

In addition to the above changes, the first signs of menstruation in girls can be manifested by changes in the psychological sphere: weakening of memory, irritability, tearfulness, insomnia.

The amount of blood released during menstruation, on average, ranges from 50 ml to 150 ml. Menstrual blood is darker, unlike arterial or venous blood.

In the first 1.5 years after menarche, the frequency of cycles with ovulation (that is, cycles in which the egg matures) reaches 60%. In 1/3 of girls, the first 3 to 5 years after menarche, menstrual cycles are characterized by insufficiency of the corpus luteum, but most often the cycles are anovulatory. This explains the high incidence of dysfunctional uterine bleeding during puberty.

What factors influence puberty (onset of menstruation) and at what age do girls start menstruation?

It should be said that the time of onset and course of puberty is influenced by a large number of factors. These include hereditary factors (race, nation), constitutional factors, health status, and body weight.

For example, girls with a large body weight get their periods earlier, unlike their peers who have a lower body weight.

To the question, what time, on average, does a girl’s period begin, there is an answer: when she reaches a body weight of 47.8 +-0.5 kg, when the fat layer makes up 22% of the total body weight (on average 12 - 13 years )

In addition to the listed factors, the onset and course of sexual development are also influenced by other factors (external): climatic (illumination, altitude, geographical location) and a balanced diet (with a sufficient content of proteins, fats, carbohydrates, microelements and vitamins).

Also, sources can be diseases such as heart disease with heart failure, tonsillitis, severe gastrointestinal diseases with impaired absorption of nutrients, insufficiency of kidney function, and insufficiency of liver function. All these conditions weaken the girl’s body, inhibiting the normal course of puberty.

How many days does the first period last?

According to the World Health Organization, in 38% of girls the menstrual cycle from menarche to second menstruation lasted more than 40 days, in 10% - more than 60 days, in 20% - 20 days.

The duration of the first menstruation ranges from 2 to 7 days, but it can last longer, up to 2 weeks, and on average a girl uses from 3 to 6 pads. But usually girls' first periods are heavy and long.

What does Doctor Komarovsky say?

An article by the famous children's doctor O.E. Komarovsky states that the final establishment of the menstrual cycle takes from 8 to 12 years and for a large number of adolescents its duration is from 21 to 45 days.

The first three years, the menstrual cycle is on average 28 - 35 days, but with age it shortens, which is associated with the work of the ovaries.

Highlight the following fluctuations in the menstrual cycle in adolescents:

• the first year after menarche - 23 - 90 days;
• fourth year - 24 - 50 days;
• seventh year - 27 - 38 days.

All this suggests that the menstrual cycle, individual for each girl, is finally established by the age of 19 - 20 and should not begin and end the same for everyone!

It should be noted that there are signs and conditions that should alert parents and force them to promptly contact a specialist.

These include:

• absence of menstruation for 6 months;
• symptoms of endocrine system disorder (diabetes, obesity);
• polycystic ovaries;
• active sports (which is common among 12-year-old girls);
• loss or lack of appetite, or vice versa, when girls’ appetite begins to increase rapidly;
• taking certain medications, drugs;
• tumors of the pituitary gland, ovaries, adrenal glands;
• blood diseases.

Exist menstrual irregularities:

• amenorrhea when there are no periods for more than 3 months (it is worth saying that there is a physiological absence of periods during pregnancy and breastfeeding, and in other cases amenorrhea is pathological and requires treatment);
• oligomenorrhea- the interval between menstruation is more than 35 days;
• polymenorrhea— the period is less than 22 days;
• hypomenorrhea-duration of bleeding less than 3 days;
• hypermenorrhea- more than 7 - 10 days;
• menorrhagia when bleeding continues for 10 - 14 days or more;
• opsomenorea- infrequent periods with an interval of more than 35 days and scanty periods.

Stress has a great influence on the menstrual cycle. If a girl is constantly exposed to stress (at home, at the institute when taking a test), her periods may be delayed, scanty or completely absent; this is the so-called stress amenorrhea.

It should be noted that menstruation can begin earlier than twelve years, at the age of 8 years, the so-called early menstruation. This will not be considered a pathology if the girl’s mother or grandmother had the same thing (there is a genetic factor), however, such an early onset of menstruation may be a sign of pathology (concomitant diseases, stress, pituitary tumors and others).

And it happens that the first menstruation begins later: at the age of 16 - 18 years. The reasons for the late onset of menstruation may be underweight, pituitary tumors, previous infectious diseases (measles, rubella), stress, and psycho-emotional stress.

What is better to use: pads or tampons?

When our grandmothers had their periods, they used gauze and rags, then washed them and used them again.

In the modern world, a huge number of pads and tampons have been developed and put into widespread use.

This is really very convenient, because using them allows you to continue to lead an active life without fear that something will leak somewhere. The question remains what is better to use: tampons or pads.

It must be said that the use of pads is safer than tampons, because when using cotton cylinders, safety and hygiene measures must be observed.

A tampon can be left in the vagina for no more than 2 hours, and longer use creates a favorable environment for the growth of pathogens.

1. Since a girl’s first blood may appear not at 12 years old, but at 11 years old, and sometimes at 10 years old, it is necessary to tell the girl about menstruation in advance.
2. It is necessary to take a closer look at the child to see how actively he shows interest in “forbidden” topics.
3. You need to find suitable literature that explains in accessible language how to tell a girl about menstruation and at what age they should start (books, magazines, video lectures).

Common questions from teenage girls: “Does it hurt?”, “How much discharge is there?”, “How long does the first period last?”

Try to explain that the harbingers of the first menstruation are unpleasant sensations and moderate nagging pain in the lower abdomen. Discharge flows out evenly, sometimes in the form of clots, lasting several days (for example, if menstruation began on December 1, then her next period will begin on December 28).

When a girl approaches 11-12 years of age, she begins to wait for her period. During this period, you can purchase hygiene products - pads or tampons. If the girl is not yet sexually active, then these will, of course, be pads. It is necessary to explain to the girl that the pads need to be changed every 3-4 hours or as they get dirty, take a shower twice a day (morning and evening) and wash each time the pad is changed.

In addition, explain to the girl that the onset of menstruation indicates that there is a possibility of pregnancy and from this stage the girl should take more responsibility for her health and life.

The beginning of the menstrual cycle is a fairly important event in the life of any girl. For this reason, many people are concerned about such a pressing topic - what menstruation is and when it starts. Interest in these issues is determined not only by curiosity, but also by the fact that many young representatives of the fair sex want to be mentally prepared for the onset of this event. Of course, talking about this is the task of any mother, nevertheless not all parents can provide the most complete information about how menstruation occurs and what to fear.

Menstruation, why they are needed, features

The beginning of the menstrual cycle often raises a natural question for girls - why are they needed, and how to perceive your body now, what has changed.

In fact, the topic of what menstruation is and when it begins is quite interesting and extraordinary. Menstruation means the beginning of a certain cycle, indicating that the girl’s body is ready for reproductive function. However, the beginning of the cycle does not at all mean that the girl is ready for motherhood. Menstruation is usually begins in girls aged 11 to 15 years and indicate the physiological readiness of the body.

Menstruation is characterized by the release of bloody discharge and small clots from the genital tract. The appearance of clots during the menstrual cycle is the norm, since this is nothing more than the remnants of the endometrial layer that peels off during menstruation.

Note that this layer grows during the monthly cycle, thereby creating certain conditions ideal for implantation of a fertilized egg. If this does not happen, this functional layer separates and comes out along with the blood.

The beginning of menstruation, what they look like, photo

Answering the question of what menstruation is and when it begins, photo, first of all I would like to note that in the first days of menstruation a process occurs that is accompanied by a fairly slow rejection of the endometrium with slight blood loss.

On the second or third day, as a rule, the uterus recovers and by the sixth or seventh day the menstruation process is completely over. Then the cycle begins again, during which the endometrial layer thickens in preparation for fertilization; in the absence of the latter, the cycle ends with the beginning of menstruation.

We pay special attention to the fact that in the presence of a disease such as endometriosis, it is possible to isolate clots of a special type, which are the remnants of functional endometrial tissue.

The onset of menstruation in girls depends on the characteristics of the body, but the standard age range is 11-15 years. However, they can start earlier as well as later. But if menstruation does not begin when you reach the age of sixteen, you should consult a specialist.

Menstruation in girls 12 years old, what to look for

Note that the onset of menstruation is characterized by the fact that a few days before the start, certain symptoms may occur, talking about the imminent arrival of menstruation. This is caused by premenstrual syndrome, which causes some discomfort. Most often this such signs:

• quite frequent mood swings;
• the appearance of weakness, apathy to almost everything happening around;
• increased irritability.

The appearance of blood stains on your underwear can also indicate the onset of your period. Note that even girls 12 years old can have heavy discharge, so you shouldn’t be surprised by this. As a rule, it all depends on the characteristics of the organism.

In addition, critical days are not always accompanied by painful sensations, as many believe. Some teenagers learn about the onset of menstruation only when blood appears, while others are quite bothered by aching pain in the lower abdomen. Often, menstruation, its intensity and pain syndrome are determined by hereditary factors.

Menstruation in girls 14 years old: possible disorders

The intensity and regularity of menstruation in adolescents (menstruation in girls 14 years of age and older) is quite sensitive to the influence of various factors. That is, this is influenced not only by heredity, but also by ecology, family situation, physical and mental stress, lifestyle, nutrition, as well as the presence of diseases, etc.

It should also be taken into account that, as a rule, Teens' periods are often irregular and therefore both the girls themselves and their parents are interested in the question of in what cases they should worry. Exists several reasons for concern, which will be indicated below:

• no onset of menstruation before age 16;
• absence of breast development up to 13 years of age;
• sudden cessation of menstruation for a long period (from 3 months);
• after the monthly cycle became regular, a failure occurred, after which the cyclicity of menstruation is irregular and sudden;
• cycle too short or too long;
• duration of menstruation for more than a week;
• excessive bleeding, severe pain;
• the appearance of bleeding between cycles;
• sudden increase in temperature.

Menstruation in women: basic rules

The menstrual cycle in women occurs differently, as mentioned above, everything depends on the characteristics of the body and hereditary factors. For some, the cycle has virtually no effect on their well-being, while others suffer quite a lot from discomfort and pain.

There are several basic rules that should be followed in order to alleviate the condition and not harm the body. First of all, during menstruation, you should reduce physical activity and be sure to follow the basics of intimate hygiene.

Please note that when carrying out water procedures there are some restrictions when menstruating, these include:

• ban on visiting bathhouses and saunas.
• prohibition on visiting and swimming in pools and open bodies of water.
• prohibition on taking hot baths.

These recommendations are primarily aimed at preventing infection and the occurrence of a disease such as endometriosis. Also, for these reasons, many experts do not recommend sexual activity during menstruation. This is explained by the fact that during menstruation the uterus is slightly open, which in turn makes it easier for various infections to enter its cavity.

Menstruation and their role, video

According to the current definition, the menstrual cycle is the period from one menstruation to the next. That is, a woman has the opportunity to conceive a child every month. This is explained by the fact that monthly cyclical changes occur in the body of women of reproductive age, which are a kind of preparation for pregnancy.

The central event of the cycle, both in its significance and in timing, is the process of ovulation, which involves the maturation of the egg and its release, after which it can be fertilized.

That is, menstruation and their role, a video about which you can watch below, is very important and significant process, without which the prolongation of the human race would not have been possible. And therefore it is very important that women’s health is always in order. This requires a timely visit to a gynecologist and an appropriate examination. This will help you avoid possible problems, as well as plan the desired pregnancy and fully experience all the happiness of motherhood.

Let's sum it up

We hope that the presented material helped our readers answer a question that was of concern to many- What are periods and when do they begin? The main purpose of the menstrual cycle and the periods themselves is to prepare the female body for conceiving a child. For this reason, you should not neglect the recommendations presented. You can read reviews on this topic or write your opinion on the forum about treatment with folk remedies.

Every modern first-grader already knows that women and girls periodically have periods. But even adults’ ideas about this process are often very vague, and some young ladies are not even properly prepared for this period. What is menstruation in girls? Why do all representatives of the fair sex, starting from 11-13 years old, bleed for several days of the month?

When do the first critical days begin?

An important stage in the life of every girl is the beginning of the menstrual cycle. More recently, it began in girls at the age of 18, but now puberty begins much earlier. If a girl starts her period at age 11, then this is considered normal. But if the menstrual cycle began at 12, 13, 14, 15 or 16 years old, this is also normal, because the onset of menstruation depends on many factors:

1. physical development
2. heredity
3. past diseases
4. living conditions
5. climate
6. nutrition

If the grandmother and mother had an early cycle, then the girl will most likely have an early cycle too. If a girl is physically weak and has been constantly ill since childhood, during puberty she will most likely lag behind her peers. Maturing too early for a girl is fraught with hormonal imbalance, and late maturation can lead to insufficient functioning of the ovaries, a disorder of the pituitary gland, or nervous stress.

The first signs of menstruation in girls

The girl observes traces of atypical discharge in her underwear several months before her menstruation. This is a whitish, yellowish or transparent discharge with no odor. But if the discharge is accompanied by itching, burning or an unpleasant odor, then you should definitely visit a gynecologist, as this is not the norm. Signs of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) in a girl are observed several days before the onset of menstruation. This condition is often accompanied by:

• aggression or apathy
• tearfulness
• frequent mood swings
• headaches
• pain in the lower abdomen

The first sign of the onset of menstruation is spotting. They are usually very moderate at first, then the bleeding intensifies (towards the middle of the cycle), and by the end of the period they become moderate again. During the very first menstruation, a girl produces from 50 to 150 ml of blood. This different volume is due to hereditary factors. Menstrual discharge has a characteristic smell, which is inherent in all girls without exception at any age, because during this period the mucous glands of the vulva actively produce secretions.

Also, do not worry that there are nagging pains during menstruation. This condition can easily be explained by normal female physiology. Girls, even before the start of their periods, need to know about the need to follow the rules of hygiene, because blood is a very favorable environment for the proliferation of microorganisms, the presence of which will quickly lead to inflammatory processes in the genitourinary system.

Features of the menstrual cycle

The duration of menstruation varies from 3 to 7 days, but it is impossible to say exactly how long menstruation lasts, because the cycle changes in different years and at different periods of a woman’s life. In teenage girls, the intervals between their first periods sometimes range from one and a half to six months. Menstrual function has not yet fully formed, so such breaks are considered normal.

Typically, the menstrual cycle ranges from 21 to 35 days, if you count the period from the first day of the previous menstruation to the beginning of the next. It changes, so it is observed on different dates in different months. But if the break between the first menstruation is really long: there is no bleeding for more than 6 months, then you should definitely contact a gynecologist. This condition indicates a malfunction in the young body.

Why do girls have delays?

The menstrual cycle becomes more or less regular only after two years. But if by this time irregular periods occur, for example, the delay with a negative test constantly reaches 60 days or more, then you need to look for the reasons. Problems usually arise due to:

• sudden climate change
• poor nutrition
• the presence of endocrine or infectious diseases
• high physical activity
• stress
• overweight or underweight
• defects or injuries of the genital organs
• metabolic disorders

A popular reason among modern teenage girls for late periods is anorexia. Such a nervous disease occurs when a girl is underweight, when she thinks that any piece she eats will turn her into an ugly fat woman. Alcohol and promiscuity also lead to long delays in the monthly cycle. Usually, after delays, heavy periods with heavy blood loss occur painfully.

Maintaining hygiene

Hygiene during menstruation must be observed especially carefully. This requirement is justified not only by the presence of an unpleasant odor in the discharge, but, above all, by preserving the girl’s intimate health. An intimate shower is needed more often than usual. It would also be a good idea to take care of special detergents, because regular soap is not the best product for intimate hygiene: it further dries out the skin, which is already subject to excessive friction due to wearing pads.

It is not recommended to take a bath these days, because tap water contains many pathogenic microorganisms, and the cervix is ​​open. This makes it easier for them to get inside, and then infection is inevitable. Also, hot water will lead to increased bleeding, which will negatively affect the general condition. It is better to wash yourself under warm water 3-4 times a day, and if this is not possible, then you should purchase special wet wipes for intimate hygiene.