Your Period

Once a month or so, the female body goes through a menstrual cycle, which is the body’s way of preparing itself for a possible pregnancy.

A female’s cycle is the length of time it takes her body to go through the process of releasing an egg, preparing the uterus to cushion a fertilized egg, and then shedding the thickened lining and the unfertilized egg through vaginal bleeding.

The ‘period’ itself is one part of the female cycle. The medical term for getting your period is menstruation or “menses”. Your hormone system controls your menstrual cycle. The changes in your body (including cramps, moodiness, and your period) are brought on by changes in the levels of hormones that are circulating through your system.

What is Happening?
What You Should Know
What You Need

What is Happening?

Your ovaries produce hormones, especially estrogen, leading to breast development and periods.
Your ovaries are filled with many eggs.
At a certain point, the pituitary gland located in your brain will release messenger hormones, FSH and LH, which “command” the ovaries to release an egg.

If sexual intercourse occurs and the egg is fertilized by a sperm, it leads to a pregnancy.
If an egg is not fertilized, the lining of the uterus, called endometrium, is shed through the vagina, leading to menstruation.
The cycle then begins again. It may take a few years for a young female to fall into a regular pattern of menstruation. Similarly, in the years leading up to menopause (usually around 50, when a female stops ovulating and her period stops), a female’s cycle can also be a bit unpredictable.

What You Should Know

1140x450_yourperiod_girl

Your first period will usually occur around age 10 – 14, usually with two years or so of noticing the first changes of puberty. If you have not yet had a period by age 15, or within two to three years of starting puberty, it’s best to talk to your doctor.
A period usually occurs every month, or approximately every 24-38 days (from the first day of your period to the first day of your next period), and lasts for about 3-8 days.
For the first four years after getting your first period, your period might show up at irregular times and be difficult to predict.
It’s a good idea to keep track of when your periods happen, either by noting them on a calendar or using an app.
Your period may be accompanied by abdominal cramps and other physical sensations like breast sensitivity, bloating, and diarrhea.
For cramps and minor pain, you can take over-the-counter pain reliever medications like Ibuprofen. For more intense pain that interferes with your daily life, speak with your health care provider.

The amount of blood flow is usually heavier at the beginning of your periods.
You usually only lose a small amount of blood – from a few spoonfuls to a half a cup. Menstrual blood often looks different than blood from a cut. It is often a deeper colour (sometimes brownish-red) and thicker.
Some types of birth control can affect your period, causing heavier or lighter blood flow.
Everyone’s period is different. Your ‘normal’ period can also change depending on your age. Long or unpredictable menstrual cycles are normal for teenagers and females in their 40s. If you are not a teenager or older than 40 and your cycles are shorter or longer than 21 to 36 days, this could indicate an underlying issue. You should consult your health care provider.

1140x450_yourPeriod_woman

Some signs to look for include:

No periods in the last 3-6 months
Your periods last longer than 8 days
You are passing large clots of blood or soaking a large pad or tampon every one to two hours
Bleeding or spotting between periods

Pain in the pelvic area that is not linked to your period and lasts longer than a day
Emotional or physical symptoms (cramps, nausea, depression, irritability) that interfere with your daily life and are linked to your cycle
Your periods were regular but have become irregular
You think you might be pregnant

If you experience any big changes in your cycle or in the amount of bleeding or pain (or other symptoms) that go along with your period, you should talk to a health care provider.

570x425_yourPeriod_calendar

570x425_yourPeriod_blood

Remember, you can still get pregnant if you have unprotected sex while you are menstruating. And if you are having sex without using birth control and you don’t get your period for a month or longer, you could be pregnant.

What You Need

When you have your period, you need to use something to absorb and dispose of the blood. Pads, tampons, cups, sponges – there are many options available, and they all have their advantages and disadvantages. Many women use more than just one product depending on their activities, their flow, and their comfort level.

Most products come with instructions and important information about use. Remember to read these instructions and follow them. Whatever you choose, remember to change or empty it regularly. Leaving any product in place for a long time allows bacteria to grow and can lead to unpleasant odours and/or infection.

Here are a few options for managing menstrual bleeding:

Pads and panty liners

These are placed on your underwear to catch and absorb menstrual blood. Pads are available in disposable or reusable varieties.

Reusable menstrual cups

These are inserted into the vagina to absorb menstrual blood. Menstrual cups can be washed and reused.

Tampons

These are inserted into the vagina to absorb menstrual blood. Tampons are disposable and are a good option if you plan to go swimming or play sports. For tips on inserting a tampon for the first time, click here.

sogc_sex_u_template_760px_0000s_0008_periodneed

Toxic shock syndrome (TSS)

Toxic shock syndrome (TSS) is a rare but potentially fatal infection that can be caused by using tampons. Even though it is rare, it is important to recognize its symptoms.

Signs of TSS include:

Sudden high fever
Nausea and vomiting
Diarrhea
Generalized aches and pains
Dizziness and feeling faint (especially when rising from a lying or sitting position)
Headache

Redness of the eyes, mouth or throat
Disorientation
Sunburn-like rash on the palms of the hands and the soles of the feet
Extremely low blood pressure
Rapid weak pulse (shock)

If you experience these symptoms while using a tampon, remove the tampon immediately and go to your hospital’s emergency department. To avoid TSS, use a tampon with the right absorbency for your flow – and switch to lighter tampons on lighter days. Remember to change tampons regularly, and be sure to remove the last tampon when your period is over.

With so many menstrual products available, how do you choose?

Many women use a combination of products – tampons or a cup and pads, pads at night time, different sizes of pads and/or tampons during different phases of their period and during different activities. Some younger women might want to get used to having their period, and having a chance to explore their bodies, before trying a tampon. You are the expert on your body and your comfort levels. Find out what works for you, and then keep a supply on-hand – at home as well as in a purse or bag that you take with you regularly.

To help you decide, you might want to consider:

What your flow is like during the day and at night
How your flow changes from the beginning through to the end of your period
How familiar and comfortable you are with your sexual organs
Which products you think you would be most comfortable using
What is convenient for your lifestyle

How much you travel or are away from home
How active you are (how often you swim, ride a bike, dance or engage in other physical activities)
Your willingness and comfort with washing and reusing products that have menstrual blood in or on them