A female experiences vaginal bleeding periodically during menstruation, Girls begin menstruating when they reach their puberty. Females have thousands of female germination cells called eggs/ovum that are stored in their ovaries.
At around 12-15 years of age, the menstrual cycle begins, which is called menarche.
The cycle lasts about a week. It is repeated approximately every 5 to 7 days. Every 28 days. Cycles may begin a few days before or after the 28-day mark depending on hormonal fluctuations, and a delay of up to 7 days is considered normal.
The condition is caused by the release of female eggs that prepare the uterus for pregnancy every month. No bleeding occurs if the egg gets fertilized, i.e. if pregnancy takes place. However, if the egg isn't fertilized, the lining or the walls of the uterus are shed leading to vaginal bleeding. The bleeding occurs because the wall is composed of mucus and blood vessels. After shedding mucus, blood vessels come out of the vagina in the form of blood.
This cycle continues until menopause, marking the end of the process around the age of 45-50. Bleeding usually lasts for three to five days. Other than bleeding, there are other symptoms too.
Mood swings and irritation
Lower back pain
Headache and fatigue
Food cravings
Bloating and sore breasts
Abdominal or pelvic cramping pain
Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)Â is a group of symptoms that include emotional and physical symptoms. As the name suggests, these symptoms start before the period. Some symptoms of PMS are:
Mood swings
Feeling upset, anxious, irritable
Tiredness or trouble sleeping
Headaches
Spotty skin
Greasy hair
Mensuration is a huge part of a woman’s life. Society needs to be educated about this topic as it will not only spread awareness but also help understand a woman’s pain during menstruation.
Written by: Keshav Sharma
Edited by: Siddhi Deelwal
Uploaded by: Anoushka Ishi Gupta