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must know period facts

So what causes a period?

We have one each month, but what exactly causes it? Every month, a single egg leaves your ovaries and makes the long trip down the fallopian tubes, landing in your uterus. Your uterus has been hanging out for its arrival, developing a thick cushioning of blood-filled tissue incase of fertilisation by sperm. If the egg isn't fertilised then the uterus lining will break down and come out through the vagina – and this is your period.

How long does a period last?

Most of us have periods that are from 3 to 8 days in length. The average is 6 days.

The average length of the menstrual cycle is 28 days, although this can vary from woman to woman, and even from cycle to cycle. The length of the menstrual cycle is calculated from the first day of your period to the day before your next period begins.

But wait, there's more...

Your period (menstruation) may be the only part of your menstrual cycle that you can see, but there's a lot more happening behind the scenes over the course of the month.

Follicular phase

The follicular phase happens from the first day of menstruation until ovulation. It's called the follicular phase because growth or maturation of the egg takes place inside the follicle, which is a small sac where the egg matures. During the follicular phase, the ripening follicle causes a rise in the level of the sex hormone oestrogen.

Ovulation

Ovulation occurs roughly at mid-cycle, around day 14. Around this period of time the pituitary gland produces boosted levels of luteinising hormone and this triggers ovulation.

Luteal phase

The luteal phase is the time from ovulation until the first day of menstruation when you get your period.

During ovulation, the egg bursts from its follicle but the ruptured follicle remains on the surface of the ovary.

For the next two weeks, the follicle transforms into a structure known as the corpus luteum. This structure inturn starts releasing the sex hormone progesterone, along with small amounts of oestrogen, which maintains the thickened uterine lining and awaits implantation of the fertilised egg.

The corpus luteum needs the presence of an implanted fertilised egg to maintain the thickened uterine lining. If pregnancy doesn't occur, the corpus luteum withers and dies. The result of it not being around to produce progesterone anymore inturn causes the uterine lining to come away.

And that is when you get your period!

Annoying symptoms of a period

You may have to deal with a few annoying premenstual (PMS) symptoms before you get your period. These vary from woman to woman but can include:

• 1. cramps
• 2. pimples
• 3. headaches
• 4. cravings
• 5. mood swings
• 6. weight gain or bloating
• 7. sore breasts
• 8. tirednes
• 9. poor concentration

PMS usually goes away soon after a period begins, but it can come back month after month. Exercising, eating well, and getting heaps of rest can help with the symptoms of PMS. Visit your doctor if you are finding it hard to deal with PMS.

Top tips

• 1. You should wash your hands before and after changing pads or tampons.
• 2. During the day you should change pads and tampons every two or four hours – or more if needed.
• 3. Tampons should not be worn overnight – use overnight pads instead.
• 4. Use the lowest absorbency tampon for your level of blood flow and comfort. Only use a super tampon on your really heavy days and on light days use light tampons or a pad. Change your tampons regularly (3 – 6 times a day) and never leave a tampon in for more than 8 hours.
• 5. Do not flush pads or tampons down the toilet. Dispose of pads and tampons in sanitary bins, or wrap them in paper and put them in the garbage.

Thanks to Marie Stopes International, the sexual health experts, for providing this information. For more sexual health information, check out www.mariestopes.com.au