Overview
You would be very surprised to learn that a woman keeping track of her menstrual cycle can help detect early signs of hormonal imbalance. Northwell
Do you know that a woman's menstrual cycle plays a vital role in her reproductive health?
You might think it's just a monthly routine where blood flows out for a few days and then life continues till the next month.
Ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes 🤔 . Well, let's find out today.
Objective
At the end of your reading of this post, you will:
• Fully understand how a female's menstrual cycle works
• Be able to detect early any abnormalities and take necessary action
• Understand the importance and keeping track of the monthly period and its relation to female Reproductive Health
Introduction
Let's start from the basics, you might think the Menstrual Cycle is just about a female seeing her period every month but it's quite deeper than that.
What do I mean?
Well, the Menstrual Cycle is a continuous sequence of events that starts from the first day of menstrual flow until the first day of another menstrual flow.
The duration of each cycle might differ for individuals but is the process the same??
100% the same for every woman.
The duration of each cycle might be 21days to about 30 days while the average length is 28 days.
So what I mean is, some females see their period or start a new menstrual cycle every 21 days, some every 26 days while some every 30 days.
Difference between menstrual cycle and menstrual period
Menstrual Cycle is a continuous sequence that begins from the first day of a female's period to the next first day of a female's period while the menstrual period is the duration in which the menstrual flow lasts
The menstrual period ranges from 3-7 days, this implies some women "menstrate" for 3 days while some might be 5 or 7 days.
Why does a female need to keep track of her period?
Gives a form of awareness, it makes you understand the duration of each cycle, and alerts and prepares you for your next period
It helps detect early signs of reproductive health conditions like PCOS, endometriosis, hormonal imbalance, late or missed period
Things to note during the menstrual period
- Colour of your period
- Smell
- Duration
- Flow
- Interval
Colour
- Brown Blood
Brown blood is basically old blood, most times it's normal
Ever wondered why the colour of your menstrual period is Brown on the first day and sometimes first and last days ?,
It's because blood flow is usually slower at the beginning and end of your period. And because blood flow is slower, the blood stays longer in the body before being expelled.
Let's put it like this, the longer menstrual blood stays in your body, the longer it oxidizes, and that explains the Brown colour
- Pink Blood
I know you must be wondering. Why would the menstrual period be pink in colour
Is that even normal?
Well, it's normal and common for period blood to look pink at the beginning or end of your period, if you usually don't have heavy flow
So why is it pink?
It's pink because the period mixed with normal mucus
However, pink discharge outside your period needs medical attention
Seek your doctor
- Orange, Gray, or Green
This might be a sign of infection, or an STI
Trichomoniasis (Yellow or Green
Bacterial Vaginosis is Gray and usually comes with ; - Painful urination
- Foul-smelling
- Vaginal itching
Symptoms of Menstruation
It's so crazy how your body goes through a lot of changes during your period, these changes include;
• Tender breasts
• Bloating, fluid retention
• Muscle aches
• Joint pain
• Headaches
• Acne
• Abdominal cramps
• Diarrhea or constipation
• Lower back pain
• Trouble sleeping
• Low energy, fatigue
Let's not even start with the mood swings, your body is going through hormonal changes that play a vital role in your overall mood
Do women really have menstrual pain or is it just exaggerated??
Well, Menstrual pain is not something to be ignored, nothing triggers a female more than telling her she is overdoing it
She is not in control, comfort her, a lot of things are going on at the moment
Symptoms of Menstruation
Why do women feel pain during their period?
The pain that Women feel during menstruation is called Dysmenorrhoea
During your menstrual period, your uterus contracts to help expel its lining. Hormone-like substances (prostaglandins) involved in pain and inflammation trigger the uterine muscle contractions. Higher levels of prostaglandins are associated with more severe menstrual cramps.
And sometimes prostaglandin can extend to the intestine and that's why you vomit
Management of Menstrual Cramps
There is really no “cure” for menstrual cramps, (I wish there was), but menstrual cramps can be managed physically and psychologically.
Home Remedies for Managing Menstrual Cramps
Heat: Soaking in a hot bath or using a heating pad, hot water bottle, or heat patch on your lower abdomen might ease menstrual cramps.
Exercise regularly; Physical activity, helps ease menstrual cramps for some women.
Pain relievers; Over-the-counter pain relievers, such as paracetamol
Overall, it's not easy having to deal with menstrual pain every month, but with the right support around and diet, and exercise, one should feel much better.
I hope you understand better the female menstrual cycle.