Menstruation
Menstruation is often accompanied by menstrual cramps and can be a challenge for many women. Hormonal fluctuations, pain and psychological problems make this time of the month a time when women should pay more attention to their wellbeing. Give yourself the rest you need and support your body's needs in a natural way during menstruation: Calcium, magnesium and zinc can help gently relieve menstrual cramps and improve your general wellbeing. Slowing down and being aware of your body's needs can also have a positive effect on how you feel.
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The wonderful world of menstruation - putting an end to myths about periods
Menstruation is a topic that affects almost half of the world's population at some point. In fact, around 300 to 800 million people worldwide are menstruating at this very moment. So why is everything to do with periods still a mystery that people don't like to talk about? It's high time to break this taboo and focus on everyone who menstruates every month. The female cycle will only become the most natural thing in the world when women and girls are sufficiently informed about biological and health aspects and enough light has been shed on the myths and half-truths.
A few fun facts right at the start: menstruating women bleed on average around 500 times in their lifetime. This means that they are fertile for around 38 years, lose up to 30 liters of blood in total and - if you count the time in one go - have their period for around 7 years. Wow? Indeed. It is a feat of the female body that depends on many factors. It's worth getting to the bottom of this marvel of biology and finding out exactly what happens during your period.
The biological background of menstruation
Why do we actually bleed? Menstruation, also known as periods, menstrual bleeding or - colloquially - days, is a natural process in the anatomical female body. It is a sign that there is no fertilized egg in the uterus.
That went too fast? Here is the process step by step: It all starts in the two ovaries, where eggs mature every month. However, only one usually reaches full maturity. At this point, ovulation takes place and this egg travels through the fallopian tube towards the uterus. A nutrient-rich mucous membrane has built up here over a period of days, in which a fertilized egg can implant. However, if fertilization does not take place, this mucous membrane is superfluous and is broken down again. To put it bluntly: what is not needed has to go. Bleeding sets in.
How long is the average period?
During menstruation, the top layer of the lining of the uterus is shed and bleeding occurs, which escapes through the vagina. This bleeding can last between two and seven days and vary in intensity from woman to woman. On average, it lasts around five days. But don't worry, the body only loses a small amount of blood and tissue particles during this time. Normally it is between 20 and 60 milliliters of blood per period or between 4 and 12 teaspoons.
Every cycle begins with menstruation
Menstruation is only a small part of the female cycle, or more precisely: the beginning. The average length of a cycle is 28 days, i.e. 4 weeks, but periods of between 21 and 35 days are not uncommon. The cycle is controlled by a complex interplay of hormones, the main players in this game are oestrogen and progesterone. They regulate the cycle and also influence mood and energy levels. The entire cycle is divided into four phases, each of which is influenced by different hormones and determines a woman's monthly rhythm.
1. The menstrual phase - rest and recovery are the order of the day
This phase begins with the first day of bleeding. The lining of the uterus is shed and menstruation begins. The contractions of the uterus can cause unpleasant pulling or cramps in the lower abdomen, especially in the first few days. It is now important to pay more attention to your own well-being and consciously slow down.
2. The follicular phase - the energy level increases continuously
During this phase, the hormone oestrogen is increasingly released and the ovary develops a new egg. The follicular phase lasts until ovulation and is a time when menstruating women have more energy due to the oestrogen, especially just before ovulation. A good opportunity to tackle challenges and get important things done.
3. The ovulation phase (ovulation) - performance is at its peak
Shortly before ovulation, the level of luteinizing hormone rises sharply, the mature egg is released from the ovary and moves towards the uterus. These are the fertile days. Menstruating women are more sociable, more powerful and more receptive during this phase. Now it's time to stay in the flow and use and enjoy the active phase.
4. The luteal phase - no time for feats of strength
After ovulation, oestrogen levels fall and the ovary produces more of the hormone progesterone, which prepares the lining of the uterus for a possible pregnancy. If fertilization does not occur, the cycle continues with another period. Shortly before the next period, both progesterone and oestrogen are at a particularly low level. This can lead to exhaustion and irritability and trigger premenstrual syndrome (PMS).
Tracking down menstrual irregularities
A lot of stress, extreme weight changes, excessive sport or certain health conditions such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) can cause your cycle to be irregular. Medical advice is required here. Heavy bleeding, also known as menorrhagia, can also be annoying and sometimes worrying. Anyone who has to change more than one pad or tampon per hour or whose bleeding lasts longer than seven days should seek medical advice.
When does the first menstruation actually take place?
The first menstrual period is an important milestone in a young girl's puberty. Sometimes it is eagerly awaited, sometimes the first time comes surprisingly early. As with cycle length, bleeding duration and intensity, the answer to this question also depends on individual factors. As a rule, the time of the first bleeding is between the ages of 9 and 16. This is a relatively long period that is influenced by genetic factors, diet and health as well as environmental conditions and lifestyle.
So there's no need to panic if your first period comes early or later in puberty. Nor does the menstrual cycle have to work like clockwork right from the start. The intervals between periods can and may be irregular in the first few years, as the body needs a certain amount of time to develop a stable cycle. In any case, it is important to discuss all questions and concerns relating to menstruation with a trusted person in order to be able to adjust emotionally to it.
Living in harmony with the cycle
For all those who have not (yet) developed the necessary serenity in dealing with their own cycle - which is admittedly quite complex - here are a few tips that can help you to treat your own body with respect and love from the first to the last menstruation:
Keep a cycle diary
It is helpful to note down the first day of your period and keep a cycle diary in order to keep track of your personal cycle rhythm and to be able to classify mood swings and notice any deviations. This raises your awareness of your own body and helps you to get to know yourself better.
Anti-PMS moves
Premenstrual syndrome - a real challenge for some. There seems to be no cure for physical and emotional symptoms such as mood swings, breast tenderness, tiredness or food cravings shortly before your period. Or is there? If you eat a varied diet, consume less salt and sugar, avoid alcohol and nicotine, increase your intake of minerals such as magnesium, calcium and zinc and make sure you have a balanced vitamin balance - especially B vitamins and vitamin D - you can make a valuable contribution to your own well-being before and during your period.
Seeking relaxation
Many women experience cramps in the lower abdomen during menstruation. Measures such as warmth (e.g. a hot water bottle or a warm bath), plenty to drink (e.g. tea or water), exercise and light sporting activities can alleviate menstrual cramps. Stress during your period is also not helpful. The motto should therefore be: take it easy. Fun fact: In the luteal phase and during your period, the body burns more energy, around 200 to 300 calories. Healthy snacks can therefore definitely help you relax.
The right menstrual product
Those who have the choice are spoiled for choice. There are various products that can be used during menstruation and that have different benefits. The important thing is to find one that suits your own body and lifestyle. The motto here is: just try it out! It is also not necessary to commit to one product if two or more are possible. These products are available:
- Tampons are inserted into the vagina and absorb the blood there.
- Pads are placed in the underwear and catch the blood.
- Menstrual cups are reusable silicone cups that are inserted into the vagina. They are a particularly sustainable method.
- Period underwear looks like normal underpants and absorbs the blood directly. They are washed out regularly.
Be well prepared
Oh no - your period starts on the go or unexpectedly? If you always have a small emergency bag with pads or tampons with you, you won't be surprised by irregular or scheduled bleeding and can also help other menstruating women.
Using the cycle phases
As already mentioned in the description of the four cycle phases: if menstruating women know roughly which phase of the cycle they are in, they can better assess their physical and emotional state. For example, it is possible to schedule important appointments, energy-sapping tasks or sporting activities that require a lot of energy in the first half of the cycle. In the second half, you can then switch to gentler sports such as yoga and generally concentrate more on relaxation and inner contemplation. However, if this is not possible, it's no bad thing! If you know that your energy level is currently higher or lower or which hormones are currently in charge, life will definitely be easier.
Menstruation as a sign of strength and health
Menstruation is a natural and important part of a woman's life. Ashamed of it? Absolutely not! There are plenty of reasons to see it as something positive, to explore your own cycle and to take individual measures. Above all, women and girls should talk openly with other menstruating women (and non-menstruating women too, of course) about everything to do with their periods. Breaking taboos in communication about menstruation is worthwhile: sharing knowledge is essential because it avoids insecurities and misunderstandings and normalizes the topic in society. In addition, open communication not only promotes understanding of the female cycle and strengthens appreciation, it also gives menstruation exactly the label it needs: “normal” and - most importantly - not at all embarrassing. After all, the female cycle with its hormonal fluctuations is not a sign of weakness, but an expression of powerful strength and good health.