Why Do Girls Have Periods, The Female Reproductive System

The Female Reproductive System

Baby girls are born with ovaries, fallopian tubes, and a uterus. The two ovaries are oval-shaped and sit on either side of the uterus (womb) in the lowest part of the abdomen called the pelvis. They contain thousands of eggs, or ova. The two fallopian tubes are long and thin. Each fallopian tube stretches from an ovary to the uterus, a pear-shaped organ that sits in the middle of the pelvis. The muscles in a female's uterus are powerful and are able to expand to allow the uterus to accommodate a growing fetus and then help push the baby out during labor.

As a girl matures and enters puberty, the pituitary gland releases hormones that stimulate the ovaries to produce other hormones called estrogen and progesterone. These hormones have many effects on a girl's body, including physical maturation, growth, and emotions.

About once a month, a tiny egg leaves one of the ovaries — a process called ovulation — and travels down one of the fallopian tubes toward the uterus. In the days before ovulation, the hormone estrogen stimulates the uterus to build up its lining with extra blood and tissue, making the walls of the uterus thick and cushioned. This happens to prepare the uterus for pregnancy: If the egg is fertilized by a sperm cell, it travels to the uterus and attaches to the cushiony wall of the uterus, where it slowly develops into a baby.

If the egg isn't fertilized, though — which is the case during most of a woman's monthly cycles — it doesn't attach to the wall of the uterus. When this happens, the uterus sheds the extra tissue lining. The blood, tissue, and unfertilized egg leave the uterus, going through the vagina on the way out of the body. This is a menstrual period. This cycle happens almost every month for several more decades (except, of course, when a female is pregnant) until a woman reaches menopause and no longer releases eggs from her ovaries.

Puberty and Periods

Menstruation (a period) is a major stage of puberty in girls; it's one of the many physical signs that a girl is turning into a woman. And like a lot of the other changes associated with puberty, menstruation can be confusing. Some girls can't wait to start their periods, whereas others may feel afraid or anxious. Many girls (and guys!) don't have a complete understanding of a woman's reproductive system or what actually happens during the menstrual cycle, making the process seem even more mysterious.

When girls begin to go through puberty (usually starting between the ages of 8 and 13), their bodies and minds change in many ways. The hormones in their bodies stimulate new physical development, such as growth and breast development. About 2 to 2½ years after a girl's breasts begin to develop, she usually gets her first menstrual period.

About 6 months or so before getting her first period, a girl might notice an increased amount of clear vaginal discharge. This discharge is common. There's no need for a girl to worry about discharge unless it has a strong odor or causes itchiness.

The start of periods is known as menarche. Menarche doesn't happen until all the parts of a girl's reproductive system have matured and are working together.

How Often Does a Girl Get Her Period?

Just as some girls begin puberty earlier or later than others, the same applies to periods. Some girls may start menstruating as early as age 10, but others may not get their first period until they are 15 years old.

The amount of time between a girl's periods is called her menstrual cycle (the cycle is counted from the start of one period to the start of the next). Some girls will find that their menstrual cycle lasts 28 days, whereas others might have a 24-day cycle, a 30-day cycle, or even longer. Following menarche, menstrual cycles last 21-45 days. After a couple of years, cycles shorten to an adult length of 21-34 days.

Irregular periods are common in girls who are just beginning to menstruate. It may take the body a while to sort out all the changes going on, so a girl may have a 28-day cycle for 2 months, then miss a month, for example. Usually, after a year or two, the menstrual cycle will become more regular. Some women continue to have irregular periods into adulthood, though.

As a girl gets older and her periods settle down — or she gets more used to her own unique cycle — she will probably find that she can predict when her period will come. In the meantime, it's a good idea to keep track of your menstrual cycle with a calendar.

How Long and How Much?

The amount of time that a girl has her period also can vary. Some girls have periods that last just 2 or 3 days. Other girls may have periods that last 7 days or longer. The menstrual flow — meaning how much blood comes out of the vagina — can vary widely from girl to girl, too.

Some girls may be concerned that they're losing too much blood. It can be a shock to see all that blood, but it's unlikely that a girl will lose too much, unless she has a medical condition like von wille brand disease. Though it may look like a lot, the average amount of blood is only about 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) for an entire period. Most teens will change pads 3 to 6 times a day, with more frequent changes when their period is heaviest, usually at the start of the period.

Especially when menstrual periods are new, you may be worried about your blood flow or whether your period is normal in other ways. Talk to a doctor or nurse if:

- your period lasts longer than a week
- you have to change your pad very often (soaking more than one pad every 1-2 hours)
- you go longer than 3 months between periods
- you have bleeding in between periods
- you have an unusual amount of pain before or during your period
- your periods were regular then became irregular

Cramps

Some girls may notice physical or emotional changes around the time of their periods. Menstrual cramps are pretty common — in fact, more than half of all women who menstruate say they have cramps during the first few days of their periods. Doctors think that cramps are caused by prostaglandin, a chemical that causes the muscles of the uterus to contract.

Depending on the girl, menstrual cramps can be dull and achy or sharp and intense, and they can sometimes be felt in the back as well as the abdomen. These cramps often become less uncomfortable and sometimes even disappear completely as a girl gets older.

Many girls and women find that over-the-counter pain medications (like acetaminophen or ibuprofen) can relieve cramps, as can taking a warm bath or applying a warm heating pad to the lower abdomen. Exercising regularly throughout the monthly cycle may help lessen cramps, too. If these things don't help, ask your doctor for advice.

PMS and Pimples

Some girls and women find that they feel sad or easily irritated during the few days or week before their periods. Others may get angry more quickly than normal or cry more than usual. Some girls crave certain foods. These types of emotional changes may be the result of premenstrual syndrome.

PMS is related to changes in the body's hormones. As hormone levels rise and fall during a woman's menstrual cycle, they can affect the way she feels, both emotionally and physically. Some girls, in addition to feeling more intense emotions than they usually do, notice physical changes along with their periods — some feel bloated or puffy because of water retention, others notice swollen and sore breasts, and some get headaches.

PMS usually goes away soon after a period begins, but it can come back month after month. Eating right, getting enough sleep, and exercising may help relieve some of the symptoms of PMS. Talk to your doctor if you are concerned about your premenstrual symptoms.

It's also not uncommon for girls to have an acne flare-up during certain times of their cycle; again, this is due to hormones. Fortunately, the pimples associated with periods tend to become less of a problem as girls get older.

Pads, Tampons, and Liners

Once you begin menstruating, you'll need to use something to absorb the blood. Most girls use a pad or a tampon. But some use menstrual cups, which a girl inserts into her vagina to catch and hold the blood (instead of absorbing it, like a tampon).

There are so many products out there that it may take some experimenting before you find the one that works best for you. Some girls use only pads (particularly when they first start menstruating), some use only tampons, and some switch around — tampons during the day and pads at night, for example.

Girls who worry about leakage from a tampon often use a pantiliner, too, and some girls use liners alone on very light days of their periods.

Periods shouldn't get in the way of exercising, having fun, and enjoying life. Girls who are very active, particularly those who enjoy swimming, often find that tampons are the best option during sports.

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Recognize Spotting Between Periods

Though it may cause apprehension, Spotting Between Periods is not really an unusual occurrence. Typically, the menstrual cycle ranges from 21 to 35 days, with an average of 28 days. Spotting between periods takes place when there is vaginal blood flow in between the period after your last day of menstruation and the beginning of your next menstrual cycle. Women may commonly experience bleeding in between periods at some particular time in their reproductive lives. Vaginal spotting between periods does not generally pose a major cause for concern but still warrants attention from the gynecologist. However, there are some cases of bleeding in between periods that signal a more serious underlying medical condition that would need prompt intervention.

These blood discharges differ in color. Brown spotting in between periods means that blood has dried at a certain degree and has been confined to the cervix for a longer period of time. Bleeding in between periods that produces bright red blood indicates that it is new and fresh. On the other hand, a pink blood discharge that accompanies spotting in between periods denotes dilution. A very dark brown or blackish discharge during spotting in between periods signifies extremely old blood. At times, the color of discharge at the time of spotting in between periods may convey the length of time and pace blood has passed through the cervix. The color of blood does not necessarily pinpoint the exact causes of spotting. To arrive at an accurate diagnosis, further assessment and diagnostic procedures are needed to determine the cause of bleeding in between periods.

Another factor to be considered in the diagnosis of these vaginal discharges is the extent and duration of irregular blood flow. When vaginal blood flow associated with spotting in between periods is light in volume, such as in droplets or minute amounts, there is less cause for worry. In situations when there occurs heavy bleeding in between periods, such as when the sanitary pads get very saturated in a short period of time, you must seek medical attention as soon as possible. Depending upon the rate of blood flow, a prolonged duration of spotting between periods likewise needs critical intervention.

Vaginal bleeding between periods may not pose as a major health threat if one of the causes of spotting is related to ovulation. Spotting between periods is brought about by the abrupt and transient rise of the estrogen hormone connected with the release of the egg from the ovary during ovulation. This sudden increase of estrogen may contribute to light bleeding in between periods, especially if it occurs during the 13th to 16th day of the menstrual cycle. Ovulation spotting is characterized by a light blood flow and is either pinkish or brownish in color. Sometimes, the vaginal blood discharges of ovulation related to spotting in between periods are accompanied by a white-colored cervical mucus and mild lower abdominal cramping.

Severe physical, emotional and mental stress may also trigger Spotting Between Periods. This type of light bleeding in between periods usually happens two to five days before or after the period starts. Stressors may elicit the brain to alter the menstrual process which leads to brown-colored discharge during the beginning half of the cycle. In cases when the ovulation does not occur or partially takes place, light spotting in between periods emerges at the last half of the menstrual cycle.

Other causes of spotting are incidences of implantation and bleeding or light spotting between periods associated with pregnancy. This mild spotting generally happens a week after ovulation or a week before the menstrual cycle is expected to start. Brown spotting between periods is evident because of the extended length of time for the blood to be expelled from the woman's body.

Perimenopausal spotting may most likely be expected among women nearing the age of late forties until the early fifties when menopause sets in. The primary causes of spotting during the menopause period are related to hormones in the woman's body that are undergoing extreme changes. Failure or inability to ovulate as menopause progresses contribute to spotting between periods as well as other symptoms, such as dryness of the external parts of the reproductive organ and lowered sexual desires. Commonly experienced among women in the perimenopausal stages are irregular and shortened length of menstruation, in which spotting between periods just happens a few days before the menstrual cycle starts. However, if perimenopausal spotting between periods is accompanied by any varying degree of abdominal or vaginal pain, immediate medical attention is needed.

Certain types of birth control methods may also cause spotting in between periods. Intrauterine device, or IUD, and birth control injections among the birth control methods are most likely to bring about spotting between periods. Vaginal spotting between periods is also manifested in medical conditions like endometriosis, polycystic ovary syndrome, uterine polyps, malignancies in the reproductive organs, vaginal infections, thyroid disorders and diabetes.

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Period blood clots, reason, medication and prevention

Blood clot causes are several. They are generally caused by long periods of inactivity. Long stays at the hospital, sitting for very long periods and birth control pills are some of the other causes. When we cut our skin blood oozes out and if we press and hold it for a while it coagulates and stops. But blood flowing through the body should always in liquid form. Without the uninterrupted flow of blood in the body, tissues and cells will die out. Blood clot symptoms include swelling and aching of the affected part. People who are obese or have heart problems are in the high risk category. Varicose veins also induce blood clotting.

When clots do happen they cut off blood supply to the brain resulting in a stroke. Clots can also induce heart attacks. A clot formed in any part of the body can travel through the veins to the lungs. Such a clot is called a thrombus. Clots formed in different parts of the body are known by different names. Some people inherit the tendency of greater blood coagulation. This condition is known as hyper coagulation and is extremely dangerous.

Reasons

Travelling in a plane or car sitting for long periods may induce a clot. Stretching legs, moving around in the plane or getting down from the car to move around are important to prevent it from doing so. Stretching exercises are also very helpful.

Cancer patients are more prone to clots. Symptoms include swelling and pain. Chest pain and shortness of breath are indicators of the blood clot moving to the lungs.

People who are prone to blood clots should keep their legs at a higher level on a pillow when they sleep or raise the lower end bed posts by a few inches. Compression stockings are also very useful in preventing the clots.

Medication

Some of the important drugs used to prevent clots are heparin and warfarin. People going on long distance journey can take a shot of heparin as a preventive measure. It is commonly used blood clot treatment. Heparin acts much faster than the other drugs. Men have a greater chance of having a clot than women.

Doctors still are not too sure about medication and dosage. But immediate treatment increases the chances of recovery. Patients with different types of cancer who are treated with statins show reduction in clotting.

Prevention

As with most other diseases healthy food, exercises and weight control are important in the prevention of clots. Blood clot symptoms also need medication and a change in lifestyle.

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Bloating during period treatment

Bloating during period times can be a real pain. It can make your clothes feel like they were made for someone else. It can make you feel uncomfortable and unattractive. It can even add undue stress on your joints and muscles, contributing to menstrual cramps. So, it's important to try to cure menstrual bloating before it begins.

Medications:

Medications really won't stop menstrual bloating. In fact, taking medication during your period usually won't stop any menstrual symptoms at all. All most period medications do is relieve discomfort temporarily and mask the symptoms. In fact, some medications can cause side effects and allergic reactions and make matters worse.Hormone Levels:

Instead of using medications to mask the issue, you really need to try to treat bloating at its source. That source can be traced back to your hormones. Your body produces a lot of hormones during menstruation. Occasionally, it can produce too many hormones. That can lead to bad cramps, heavy bleeding and pools of blood in the pelvis, which can add to that bloated feeling that you may experience.

Of course, hormone levels also cause your body to retain some amount of water no matter what. So, you may find yourself feeling a bit bloated each month, even if you don't have blood pooling in your pelvis or heavy flow. However, if you can control your hormone levels then you can often reduce bloating and other symptoms.

Treating The Problem With Herbal Remedies:

Herbal remedies are some of the best ways to treat period symptoms, including bloating. For example, evening primrose is an herbal remedy that has long been known for its ability to reduce menstrual bloating. Together with other herbs, such as black cohosh and white willow bark, it can help to reduce all of your menstrual problems.

Herbal remedies are also good for relieving period symptoms because many of them contain important vitamins and minerals. For example, vitamins A, B, C, E and K are all known for reducing headaches, mood swings, bloating, cramps and even heavy bleeding. So, you should get plenty of them in your diet or supplement your diet with a supplement pill that is geared towards treating period symptoms and contains each of those vitamins.

Of course, certain minerals are also important, especially calcium and magnesium. Calcium isn't just known for keeping bones strong and healthy. It can also protect your body during your period by reducing water retention, bloating and menstrual cramps. Magnesium can also help your body to reduce cramping and it can even help calcium to be absorbed by and utilized by your body in a more efficient manner.

Eat Right:

Even the most perfect period supplement pill won't help unless you eat right. One of the biggest causes of extra bloating during periods is eating salty snack foods. Salt will cause your body to retain more water. So, it's important to avoid the temptation to eat unhealthy snacks. Instead, eat more fruits and vegetables and you should be able to reduce bloating during period times.

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