MENSTRUATION - WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
MENSTRUATION
compiled by
OMOLOLA ADAMS OLATAYO
adamsolatayo@yahoo. com (RN,RPHN,BNSc )
Monthly physiological changes takes place in ovaries and uterus, regulated by hormones produced by the hypothalamus, pituitary gland and ovaries. These cycles commence at puberty and occur simultaneously and together are known as the female reproductive cycle. The functions of the cycle are to prepare the egg often referred to as the gamete or oocyte for fertilization by the spermatozoon (sperm), and to prepare the uterus to receive and nourish the fertilized egg.
Menstruation, also known as a period or monthly, is the regular discharge of blood and mucosal tissue from the inner lining of the uterus through the vagina.Up to 80% of women report having some symptoms prior to menstruation. Common signs and symptoms include acne, tender breasts, bloating, feeling tired, irritability, and mood changes. These may interfere with normal life, therefore qualifying as premenstrual syndrome, in 20 to 30% of women. In 3 to 8%, symptoms are severe.
During a woman's period, menstrual fluid passes through the opening of the cervix (which is about the size of a match head) through the vagina and out of the body. (The cervix is the rounded lower portion, or neck, of the uterus, which protrudes into the vagina.)
Periods and fertility in the menstrual cycle
The length of the menstrual cycle varies from woman to woman, but the average is to have periods every 28 days. Regular cycles that are longer or shorter than this, from 24 to 35 days, are normal.
“The menstrual cycle is the time from the first day of a woman’s period to the day before her next period,” says Toni Belfield, a specialist in sexual health information, and a trained fertility awareness teacher.
“Girls can start their periods anywhere from age 10 upwards, but the average is around 12 years,” says Belfield. “The average age for the menopause (when periods stop) in this country is 50-55.”
Between the ages of 12 and 52, a woman will have around 480 periods, or fewer if she has any pregnancies.
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. The menstrual flow — meaning how much blood comes out of the vagina — can vary from girl to girl, too.
Some girls may worry 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 Willebrand 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 girls change pads 3 to 6 times a day. They'll probably change pads more often when their period is heaviest, usually at the start of the period.
You may be worried about whether your period is normal in other ways. This is normal when a girl first gets her period and isn't sure what to expect. Your doctor or nurse can answer any questions about your period. Here are some times it's especially important to talk to a doctor or nurse if:
your period lasts longer than a week
your blood soaks thorough 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
MAJOR EVENTS IN A MENSTRUAL CYCLE
The anterior pituitary gland secrets FSH and OH
FSH stimulates maturation of a follicle
Granulosa cells of the follicle produce and secrete estrogen
The anterior pituitary gland releases a surge of LH, which stimulates ovulation.
Follicular and thecal cells becomes corpus luteum cells, which secretes estrogen and progesterone.
If the egg cell is not fertilised the corpus luteum degenerates and no longer secretes estrogen and progesterone.
As the concentrations of luteal hormone decline, blood vessels in the uterine lining constrict.
The uterine lining disintegrates and sloughs off, producing a menstrual flow.
The anterior pituitary gland, which is no longer inhibited, again secretes FSH and OH.
The menstrual cycle repeats.
How do I know I am fertile?
Knowing your own body and being able to tell when you are fertile or ovulating is an important skill that every woman should have.
You will save yourself an enormous amount of worry and anxiety when you get to know your body and can control your risk of unwanted pregnancy.
The fact is that there are only certain times during your menstrual cycle when you are fertile or can get pregnant in. So it pays off to know when those times are.
Your body will give you clear clues and signals as to when fertility is approaching and happening.
A woman is fertile when she is ovulating and for a few days before ovulation when fertile cervical mucus is present.
Ovulation usually occurs mid cycle. More precisely, ovulation usually occurs 14 days before the onset of bleeding.
Not at day 14 of the menstrual cycle as is commonly believed.
However - ovulation can be upset and delayed by many factors, eg, sickness, alcohol, travel, stress etc which is why simply counting the days can be inaccurate.
You will find your success in tracking your fertility will be far greater when you become adept at recognising your own personal fertility signals rather than just counting the days.
Ovulation can also spontaneously occur during your natal lunar phase. Your natal lunar (moon) phase fertile time can occur at any time during your menstrual cycle, including before, during and after your period.
Your natal lunar fertile time is individual to you and is calculated from your birth data - it is all to do with which phase of the moon you were born under.
REFERENCE
David Shier, Jackie Butler, RickI Lewis (1996), Holes Human Anatomy and Physiology. Mc Graw-Hill Companies.
Diane M. Fraser, Margaret A. Cooper (2009). Myles Textbook For Midwives. Churchill Livingstone, Elsevier.
How Do I Know I Am Pregnant http://www.menstruation.com.au/periodpages/howdoiknow.html
Menstruation https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Menstruation
Menstruation Cycle NHS http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/menstrualcycle/Pages/Whatisthemenstrualcycle.aspx
Menstrual Cycle Phases http://tampax.com/en-us/tips-and-advice/my-first-period/menstrual-cycle-phases?
Teens Health, Puberty and Period http://m.kidshealth.org/en/teens/menstruation.html?WT.ac=
compiled by
OMOLOLA ADAMS OLATAYO
adamsolatayo@yahoo. com (RN,RPHN,BNSc )
Monthly physiological changes takes place in ovaries and uterus, regulated by hormones produced by the hypothalamus, pituitary gland and ovaries. These cycles commence at puberty and occur simultaneously and together are known as the female reproductive cycle. The functions of the cycle are to prepare the egg often referred to as the gamete or oocyte for fertilization by the spermatozoon (sperm), and to prepare the uterus to receive and nourish the fertilized egg.
Menstruation, also known as a period or monthly, is the regular discharge of blood and mucosal tissue from the inner lining of the uterus through the vagina.Up to 80% of women report having some symptoms prior to menstruation. Common signs and symptoms include acne, tender breasts, bloating, feeling tired, irritability, and mood changes. These may interfere with normal life, therefore qualifying as premenstrual syndrome, in 20 to 30% of women. In 3 to 8%, symptoms are severe.
During a woman's period, menstrual fluid passes through the opening of the cervix (which is about the size of a match head) through the vagina and out of the body. (The cervix is the rounded lower portion, or neck, of the uterus, which protrudes into the vagina.)
Periods and fertility in the menstrual cycle
The length of the menstrual cycle varies from woman to woman, but the average is to have periods every 28 days. Regular cycles that are longer or shorter than this, from 24 to 35 days, are normal.
“The menstrual cycle is the time from the first day of a woman’s period to the day before her next period,” says Toni Belfield, a specialist in sexual health information, and a trained fertility awareness teacher.
“Girls can start their periods anywhere from age 10 upwards, but the average is around 12 years,” says Belfield. “The average age for the menopause (when periods stop) in this country is 50-55.”
Between the ages of 12 and 52, a woman will have around 480 periods, or fewer if she has any pregnancies.
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. The menstrual flow — meaning how much blood comes out of the vagina — can vary from girl to girl, too.
Some girls may worry 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 Willebrand 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 girls change pads 3 to 6 times a day. They'll probably change pads more often when their period is heaviest, usually at the start of the period.
You may be worried about whether your period is normal in other ways. This is normal when a girl first gets her period and isn't sure what to expect. Your doctor or nurse can answer any questions about your period. Here are some times it's especially important to talk to a doctor or nurse if:
your period lasts longer than a week
your blood soaks thorough 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
MAJOR EVENTS IN A MENSTRUAL CYCLE
The anterior pituitary gland secrets FSH and OH
FSH stimulates maturation of a follicle
Granulosa cells of the follicle produce and secrete estrogen
The anterior pituitary gland releases a surge of LH, which stimulates ovulation.
Follicular and thecal cells becomes corpus luteum cells, which secretes estrogen and progesterone.
If the egg cell is not fertilised the corpus luteum degenerates and no longer secretes estrogen and progesterone.
As the concentrations of luteal hormone decline, blood vessels in the uterine lining constrict.
The uterine lining disintegrates and sloughs off, producing a menstrual flow.
The anterior pituitary gland, which is no longer inhibited, again secretes FSH and OH.
The menstrual cycle repeats.
How do I know I am fertile?
Knowing your own body and being able to tell when you are fertile or ovulating is an important skill that every woman should have.
You will save yourself an enormous amount of worry and anxiety when you get to know your body and can control your risk of unwanted pregnancy.
The fact is that there are only certain times during your menstrual cycle when you are fertile or can get pregnant in. So it pays off to know when those times are.
Your body will give you clear clues and signals as to when fertility is approaching and happening.
A woman is fertile when she is ovulating and for a few days before ovulation when fertile cervical mucus is present.
Ovulation usually occurs mid cycle. More precisely, ovulation usually occurs 14 days before the onset of bleeding.
Not at day 14 of the menstrual cycle as is commonly believed.
However - ovulation can be upset and delayed by many factors, eg, sickness, alcohol, travel, stress etc which is why simply counting the days can be inaccurate.
You will find your success in tracking your fertility will be far greater when you become adept at recognising your own personal fertility signals rather than just counting the days.
Ovulation can also spontaneously occur during your natal lunar phase. Your natal lunar (moon) phase fertile time can occur at any time during your menstrual cycle, including before, during and after your period.
Your natal lunar fertile time is individual to you and is calculated from your birth data - it is all to do with which phase of the moon you were born under.
REFERENCE
David Shier, Jackie Butler, RickI Lewis (1996), Holes Human Anatomy and Physiology. Mc Graw-Hill Companies.
Diane M. Fraser, Margaret A. Cooper (2009). Myles Textbook For Midwives. Churchill Livingstone, Elsevier.
How Do I Know I Am Pregnant http://www.menstruation.com.au/periodpages/howdoiknow.html
Menstruation https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Menstruation
Menstruation Cycle NHS http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/menstrualcycle/Pages/Whatisthemenstrualcycle.aspx
Menstrual Cycle Phases http://tampax.com/en-us/tips-and-advice/my-first-period/menstrual-cycle-phases?
Teens Health, Puberty and Period http://m.kidshealth.org/en/teens/menstruation.html?WT.ac=
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