The first menstrual bleeding (menarche) begins in the course of puberty. The bleeding is a sign of the beginning of sexual maturity and reproductive ability. From now on, an interplay of hormones is repeated in the body in more or less regular cycles. In young girls as well as in menopausal women, bleeding is often irregular. The menstrual fluid consists of blood from the uterus and parts of the endometrium.
The female reproductive organs
The female internal sex organs consist of two ovaries and fallopian tubes each, the uterus and the vagina (vagina). The ovaries have the task of producing mature, fertilizable eggs. When the ovary is stimulated by hormones (follicle stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone, FSH and LH), the egg matures. Around the middle of the cycle, the mature egg detaches from the ovary (ovulation) and is collected by the fallopian tube.
If fertilization does not take place, there is a reduced release of progesterone, as a result of which the uterine lining is broken down and remnants are shed during menstruation.
During each menstrual period, a woman loses about 150 milliliters of blood. The entire cycle lasts about 28 days. Unless the woman is pregnant, it starts all over again. The time between the first day of menstruation and the last day before the next menstruation is counted as a cycle. Cycle lengths of 25 to 35 days are considered normal.
When does menstruation start?
The first menstrual period generally occurs between the ages of 11 and 14. It is also called menarche.
Women menstruate until they are about 45 to 55 years old, when menopause begins. In total, a woman gets about 500 periods in her lifetime.
Can you feel ovulation?
Many women feel their ovulation. It is noticeable as a faint pain in the lower abdomen. Some women also experience a small amount of bleeding at the time of ovulation.
In the middle of the cycle, the vaginal discharge becomes mucus-like and pulls strings. The consistency of the mucus also indicates the time of ovulation.
What factors influence menstruation?
The menstrual cycle is a very complex process involving many hormones, the female reproductive organs and the nervous system.
If you have an irregular cycle, your doctor should measure the hormone levels in your blood and determine if they are in balance.
Body weight also plays a role in the menstrual cycle. Being underweight often brings hormone secretion, and therefore menstruation, to a halt. Recent studies show that extreme obesity leads to irregular menstrual periods. Compared to women of ideal weight, overweight women also do not get pregnant as easily. Proper nutrition is therefore particularly important for fertility.
Regular exercise and mental and physical balance are most conducive to pain-free and reasonably pleasant “menstrual days”. Too much sport and overexertion can influence hormone release to such an extent that menstruation does not occur at all.
What problems can occur during menstruation?
Women feel very different during menstruation. Many have no problems at all, while others are severely limited in their activities due to extreme pain.
The following symptoms may occur:
- Cramping contractions (painful tightening) in the abdomen
- Pain in the lower abdomen
- Back pain
- Nausea, possibly with vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Sweating
- tiredness and lack of energy
Pain and discomfort: Why?
Pronounced menstrual pain can be successfully treated with combination preparations of estrogen and progestin (such as the pill or vaginal ring). Pure progestogen preparations such as the new minipill, the contraceptive stick or the three-month injection are also suitable. The hormones cause the uterine lining to build up less, the wound area is smaller when the remnants come off during bleeding, and bleeding is weaker and shorter overall.
Tips for feeling good
There are several things you can do to feel better during menstruation:
- Refrain from caffeinated beverages such as coffee, black tea, and cola.
- Avoid stress and relax.
- Get a massage from your partner.
- Exercise, but do not overwork your body.
- Keep warm and drink warm beverages.
- If you have particularly severe pain, take pain-relieving medication. Seek advice from your doctor or pharmacist.