When a girl gets her period. What is the normal period for girls. Video: What will the early growing up of a girl lead to

The problem of puberty in Russia is relevant in our time. It so happened that in many Russian families, discussions with children on issues of sexual development, marriage, and childbearing are left behind the scenes. But not only parents, but also teachers in schools need to conduct conversations with children, schoolchildren, striving for a competent sexual education of our descendants.

Puberty, as a physiological process, proceeds in a certain sequence.

In prepuberty, rapid growth and the appearance of the first signs of a femininity of a figure are noted: the hips are rounded as a result of growth and a uniform redistribution of fatty tissue, a female pelvis is formed. Many girls become embarrassed by such changes. Therefore, in this important and responsible period, the mother needs to speak very gently and carefully with the girl about sexual development.

In the pubertal phase (10-12 years), the growth of the mammary glands occurs, which is called thelarche; the beginning of pubic hair growth is noted (11 years - 12 years) - this is called pubarhe. The end is the onset of the first menstruation - menarche (menstruation begins in girls aged about 12-13 years), coinciding with the completion of body growth in length.

What is menstruation (menstruation)?

Menstruation, and from the medical side - menstruation, is a rejection of the endometrium (the mucous membrane of the inner layer of the uterus), a rhythmic process that repeats at certain intervals. Menstruation is the completion of the physiological process - the menstrual cycle, which lasts 3 - 4 weeks.

During sexual growth, gonadotropic hormones (FSH-follicle-stimulating hormone and LH-luteinizing hormone) begin to be produced in the hypothalamus and pituitary gland, which trigger the growth mechanism of the follicle, the production of steroids and the maturation of the egg. In the mucous membranes of the uterus, vagina, cervical canal, cyclic changes occur, corresponding to the phases of the menstrual cycle.

Cycle phases

The menstrual cycle has multiple phases:

phase of rejection of the endometrium, which has individual terms in duration from one day to several days. This is a very complex process, after which the process of endometrial growth immediately begins, which occurs with extraordinary speed;
then the proliferation phase begins (with a normal 4-day cycle) starting from the 5th day and lasting until the 14th day of the menstrual cycle. Every day the process of endometrial growth increases, and by the end of the proliferation phase, the growth of the endometrium in thickness reaches a maximum;
after the proliferation phase, the secretion phase will begin from the 15th to the 28th day of the menstrual cycle. In this phase, the growth of the endometrium stops and it begins to prepare for the acceptance of a fertilized egg, or for rejection (if the fertilization of the egg did not occur).

It should be noted that menstruation is not only changes that occur in the reproductive organ - the uterus, but manifestations of changes in the whole organism.

Changes in the body

Before the onset of menstruation, the body signals this various manifestations, including:

drawing pain in the loin and sacrum;
headache;
feeling of brokenness;
tension in the nipples;
weight gain;
many girls and girls, a few days before the onset of menstruation, begin to discharge copious mucous secretions;
possible, but not always, an increase in body temperature, fluctuations.

In addition to the above changes, the first signs of menstruation in girls can be manifested by changes in the psychological sphere: memory loss, irritability, tearfulness, insomnia.

The amount of blood released during menstruation, on average, ranges from 50 ml to 150 ml. Menstrual blood is darker than arterial or venous blood.

The first 1.5 years after menarche, the frequency of cycles with ovulation (that is, cycles in which the egg matures) reaches 60%. In 1/3 of girls, the first 3-5 years after menarche, menstrual cycles are characterized by insufficiency of the corpus luteum, but most often the cycles are anovulatory. This explains the high frequency of dysfunctional uterine bleeding at puberty.

What factors affect puberty (the onset of menstruation) and at what age do girls begin menstruation?

It should be said that a large number of factors influence the onset and course of puberty. These include hereditary (race, nation), constitutional factors, health status, body weight.

For example, in girls with a large body weight, menstruation occurs earlier, in contrast to their peers who have a lower body weight.

To the question, what time then, on average, does a girl's period begin, there is an answer: upon reaching a body weight of 47.8 + -0.5 kg, when the fat layer is 22% of the total body weight (an average of 12 - 13 years )

In addition to these factors, other (external) factors also influence the onset and course of sexual development: climatic (light, altitude, geographic location) and a balanced diet (with sufficient protein, fat, carbohydrates, trace elements and vitamins).

Diseases such as heart disease with heart failure, tonsillitis, severe gastrointestinal diseases with malabsorption of nutrients, kidney failure, liver failure can also become sources. All these conditions weaken the girl's body, inhibiting the normal course of the puberty process.

How many days does the first period last?

According to the World Health Organization, in 38% of girls, the menstrual cycle from menarche to the second menstruation lasted more than 40 days, 10% - more than 60 days, 20% - 20 days.

The duration of the first menstruation is from 2 to 7 days, but it can go longer, up to 2 weeks, and on average a girl uses from 3 to 6 pads. But usually the first menstruation in girls are plentiful and long.

And what does Dr. Komarovsky say?

In the article of the famous children's doctor O. E. Komarovsky, it is said that the final setting of the menstrual cycle takes from 8 to 12 years, and for a larger number of adolescents, its duration is from 21 to 45 days.

The first three years, the menstrual cycle, on average, is 28 - 35 days, but with age it is shortened, which is associated with the work of the ovaries.

Allocate the following fluctuations in the menstrual cycle in adolescents:

the first year after menarche - 23 - 90 days;
fourth year - 24 - 50 days;
seventh year - 27 - 38 days.

All this suggests that the menstrual cycle, individual for each girl, is finally established by the age of 19-20 and should not begin and end the same for everyone!

It should be noted that there are signs and conditions that should alert parents and force them to contact a specialist in a timely manner.

These include:

absence of menstruation for 6 months;
symptoms of an endocrine system disorder (diabetes mellitus, obesity);
polycystic ovaries;
active sports (which is often found in girls 12 years old);
loss or lack of appetite, or vice versa, when girls begin to increase their appetite intensely;
taking certain medications, drugs;
tumors of the pituitary gland, ovaries, adrenal glands;
blood diseases.

Exist menstrual irregularities:

amenorrhea when there are no periods for more than 3 months (it is worth saying that there is a physiological absence of menstruation during pregnancy and breastfeeding, and in other cases, amenorrhea is pathological and requires treatment);
oligomenorrhea- the interval between periods is more than 35 days;
polymenorrhea- the interval is less than 22 days;
hypomenorrhea- the duration of bloody discharge is less than 3 days;
hypermenorrhea— more than 7 — 10 days;
menorrhagia when spotting continues for 10 to 14 days or more;
opsomenorrhea- rare with an interval of more than 35 days and meager periods.

Stress has a great influence on the installation of the menstrual cycle. If a girl is constantly exposed to stress (at home, at the institute when passing a session), menstruation may be delayed, scarce or completely absent, this is the so-called stress amenorrhea.

It should be noted that menstruation can begin even before the age of twelve, at the age of 8 years, the so-called early menstruation. This will not be considered a pathology if the mother, grandmother of the girl had exactly the same (there is a genetic factor), however, such an early onset of menstruation may be a sign of pathology (comorbidities, stress, pituitary tumors and others).

And it happens that the first menstruation begins and later: at the age of 16 - 18 years. The reasons for the late onset of menstruation can be a lack of body weight, pituitary tumors, past infectious diseases (measles, rubella), stress, psycho-emotional overstrain.

Which is better to use: pads or tampons?

When our grandmothers were menstruating, they used gauze, rags, then they were washed and used again.

In the modern world, a huge number of pads and tampons have been developed and introduced into wide use.

This is really very convenient, because using them allows you to continue to lead an active life, without fear that something will leak somewhere. The question remains, which is better to use: tampons or pads.

It must be said that the use of pads is safer than tampons, because when using cotton rolls, safety and hygiene measures must be observed.

A tampon can be left in the vagina for no more than 2 hours, and longer use creates a favorable environment for the growth of pathogens.

Since the first blood in a girl may appear not at 12 years old, but at 11 years old, and sometimes at 10 years old, it is necessary to tell the girl about menstruation in advance.
It is necessary to look at the child, how actively he shows interest in "forbidden" topics.
It is necessary to find suitable literature, which explains in an accessible language how to tell a girl about menstruation and at what age they should begin (books, magazines, video lectures).

Common questions of teenage girls: “Does it hurt?”, “How much discharge is there?”, “How long does the first period go?”.

Try to explain that the harbingers of the first menstruation are discomfort and moderate pulling pains in the lower abdomen. Allocations flow evenly, sometimes in the form of clots, lasting several days (for example, if menstruation began on December 1, then the next menstruation will begin on December 28).

When the girl's age approaches 11 - 12 years, she begins to wait for her period. During this period, you can purchase hygiene products - pads or tampons. If the girl is not yet sexually active, then it will, of course, be pads. It is necessary to explain to the girl that the pads need to be changed every 3-4 hours or as they get dirty, take a shower twice a day (morning and evening) and wash with each change of the pad.

In addition, explain to the girl that the beginning of menstruation indicates that there is a possibility of pregnancy and from this stage the girl should be more responsible for her health and life.

The onset of menstruation is an important event in a girl's life. By the beginning of the first critical days, the child must be mentally prepared. Many modern girls who know how to use the Internet, long before the onset of menstruation, know what this physiological process is. However, this does not relieve mothers from the need to tell their daughters about what menstruation is, when girls begin menstruation, how they flow and what to be afraid of.

We will discuss all the important questions: by what signs can you guess about the imminent onset of menstruation, how to maintain hygiene these days, and whether you need to visit a gynecologist.

A few decades ago, girls began menstruating at almost 18 years of age. Now puberty comes earlier. The occurrence of the first menstruation at the age of 11-16 is considered the norm. For some girls, critical days come earlier, and for some later.

It depends on several factors:

diseases that were transferred in childhood;
heredity;
nutrition;
living conditions;
physical development.

In addition, if the grandmother and mother began their periods early, then the child is likely to happen the same way. If a girl is ahead of her peers in physical development, then her period will come earlier. Conversely, if the baby grows weak and often sick, then she is likely to lag behind in puberty. Menstruation will come later with poor nutrition, a deficiency of vitamins and nutrients necessary for the growth and development of a young organism.

There are cases when the first menstruation in girls begins at 8-9 years. Early sexual development can be caused by hormonal imbalance, heavy physical exertion. If menstruation has not begun by the age of 17, then this is an occasion to visit a gynecologist. The reason for the lag in sexual development may be insufficient functioning of the ovaries, emotional stress, nervous overload, hormonal metabolism problems, disorders arising from the pituitary gland, exhausting sports training, unfavorable environmental conditions, and dieting.

Signs before the first period

Any mother who monitors the condition and health of her daughter may notice signs that precede the onset of the first menstruation. It is from this moment that you need to start preparing the child for a new life period. About a couple of years before the onset of menstruation, the girl's figure changes (breasts increase, hips become wider). Under the armpits and on the pubic hair begins to grow. In addition, menstruation in girls is preceded by acne on the face and back.

A few months before the first critical days girls notice traces of atypical discharge on their underwear. They can be transparent, yellowish or whitish without an unpleasant odor. All this is normal and does not indicate any disease. If symptoms such as itching in an intimate place, a strange smell inherent in the discharge are observed, then it is worth visiting a specialist.

A few days before the onset of menstruation a girl may show signs of premenstrual syndrome (PMS), which occur in adult women:

frequent mood swings, tearfulness;
apathetic or aggressive state;
headaches that occur for no reason;
pain sensations of a pulling nature, localized in the lower abdomen.

How is the first menstruation, and how to prepare the child?

The first signs of menstruation in girls - bloody issues . They can be moderate or very scarce. During the first menstruation, about 50-150 ml of blood leaves the body (depending on the individual characteristics of the girl, hereditary factors). On the very first day, a small amount of menstrual blood is lost. The most abundant discharge is observed on the second day. Then their volume is gradually reduced. The duration of menstruation can vary from 3 to 7 days.

The first time a girl's period may be accompanied by weakness, discomfort in the lower abdomen . With the next menstruation, they can also be observed. These symptoms occur in most adult women, so do not worry about this.

Menstruation has a characteristic odor. It is explained by the fact that during menstruation the mucous glands of the vulva are actively functioning, producing secrets.

The first spotting, slight pains of a pulling nature can scare the child. The task of the mother is to explain to her girl that menstruation is a normal physiological process that occurs in the body of every girl and adult woman. The conversation should be friendly, not instructive.

The mother should tell her daughter:

About the menstrual cycle. Critical days arise every month. Be sure to tell how long menstruation lasts for girls. It should also be noted that the average duration of the menstrual cycle is 28 days, but during the first two years it may fluctuate.
About the need to follow the rules of hygiene. Blood is a very favorable environment for the growth and reproduction of microorganisms. They can lead to the development of serious inflammatory diseases of the genitourinary system.
About the risks of sexual relations. With the onset of menstruation, every girl enters childbearing age, and intimate relationships with the opposite sex can lead to pregnancy, which is highly undesirable at that age. Childbirth can harm both the young mother and her baby. That is why the girl should be aware of what promiscuity, unprotected sex can lead to.

Features of the menstrual cycle

In adolescent girls, the menstrual cycle (the period from the first day of the previous period to the first day of the next period) is 21–35 days. However during the first two years, not everyone becomes regular. For some, it fluctuates constantly. For example, one menstrual cycle may be 25 days and the next 32 days. This is normal. It does not indicate that the girl has some kind of pathology. If there is any suspicion, then you can visit a doctor. The specialist will tell you exactly whether this is the norm or an ailment.

It is worth noting that intervals between periods can range from one and a half months to six months. Don't worry if your period doesn't come at the right time. At a young age, the menstrual function is not yet fully formed. That is why some girls have long breaks. If menstruation does not occur after a few months, then you need to seek help from a doctor. A long pause between the first and second menstruation in girls may indicate a serious malfunction in the work of the young organism.

With the onset of the first menstruation, the daughter should be taught to keep a calendar in which she could mark when the periods began and ended. This information may not be useful in the first 1-2 years from the start of critical days, because at this time the menstrual cycle has not yet been fully established. But then the calendar will come in handy when consulting a specialist if the cycle remains irregular. Too short or long periods, a small or large interval between periods can be a sign of a disease.

Hygiene and diet during menstruation

Hygiene is an important issue that mothers should highlight when telling their daughters about menstruation. During critical days, all girls and adult women use pads, tampons. For girls, pads are most preferred. Tampons interfere with the natural outflow of blood. The pads are much easier to use. It is best for girls to buy these intimate hygiene products with a cotton layer. Gaskets with a mesh coating (“plastic” layer) are less hygienic and provoke sweating, irritation of delicate skin.

Pads during menstruation should be changed every 2-3 hours. The longer the pad is attached to the underwear, the less useful it will be (the number of bacteria will grow exponentially). If you do not replace the pad for 6 hours or more, then the body will be seriously harmed. Infectious-toxic shock may develop - a condition that occurs as a result of the action of microorganisms and their toxins (body temperature rises, blood pressure decreases, confusion is observed, coma is possible).

What you need to know about the use of pads during menstruation in girls:

be sure to wash your hands before replacing the gasket (pathogenic microorganisms can get from dirty hands to a clean gasket);
do not use expired pads (the less time has passed since the manufacture of the intimate hygiene product, the higher its degree of protection);
do not use pads with aromatic fragrances (chemical components often provoke allergies, skin irritation);
do not save on the purchase of pads (often intimate hygiene products sold at a low price are made from low-quality raw materials, which poses a danger to the girl's health);
it is not recommended to store pads in the bathroom (a large amount of moisture is an ideal environment for the active reproduction of microbes that can penetrate the intimate hygiene product).

Special attention should be paid to underwear. Girls must wear normal panties made from natural fabrics. Thongs are beautiful and sexy lingerie that many teenage girls dream of, but wearing it is completely unhygienic. A narrow strip of thong can be called a kind of bridge for the movement of microorganisms between the anus and the vagina. The intestinal microflora should not enter the genitourinary system, as it can provoke the development of inflammatory diseases.

The onset of menstruation in girls is not a reason to take a bath often. The most suitable option is daily shower . You also need to be sure to wash during the day at least 2-3 times. Soap is not recommended. Gynecologists recommend using special products for intimate hygiene (gels, mousses, etc.), which contain lactic acid. This component does not adversely affect the microflora, unlike conventional soap.

Preferably during the first and subsequent periods avoid physical activity . Sports activities will have to be postponed. It is allowed to perform light physical exercises, engage in recreational gymnastics. In addition, girls need psychological peace.

Another important point to pay attention to during menstruation is dieting . The word “diet” does not mean reducing the amount of food consumed, but revising the diet and removing spicy foods from it. Because of such food, there is a rush of blood to the internal organs of the abdominal cavity. This can lead to increased uterine bleeding. Alcoholic drinks are also contraindicated.

Today you will learn about how menstruation goes, how long they should last and about the quality of blood. The arrival of menstruation for a girl can be a real shock if you do not discuss this topic with her in advance. This completely natural process should not cause disgust or discomfort in the girl. About how menstruation begins for the first time, how it is necessary to carry out care procedures and much more, you need to tell the future woman in advance, overcoming all the inconvenience and discomfort during the conversation.

Puberty

In girls, this period is called puberty. The first menstruation in girls begins already in the middle of this cycle. What happens to the girl at this point in her life? There is a process of transformation from a girl into a mature woman who is able to continue her race. Menstruation in girls and they say that the reproductive function is running, now there is a chance of pregnancy during unprotected intercourse.

How this process starts:

the brain sends a signal to the ovaries at the right time;
the latter respond to it with the production of hormones;
hormones start the process of forming the girl's body.

It is important to note that there are both visible changes and not. At the time of puberty, the following changes occur:

the girl begins to grow;
brain enlarges;
there is an expansion of the hip bones;
mammary glands are formed;
reproductive organs grow and actively develop;
there are changes in the nervous system and much more.

Menstruation occurs approximately one year after the onset of puberty in a girl. The first menstruation is called "menarche". This suggests that the ovaries have begun to function, and now they are able to produce hormones. It is now that ovulation occurs and the probability of pregnancy is high.

The first menstruation should normally begin between the ages of twelve and fifteen. There are cases when they start much earlier or later. It is important to know that there are many factors that affect the time of the onset of the first menstruation:

hereditary information;
degree of physical development;
nervous system;
there is an influence of lifestyle;
social environment;
knowledge about and intersexual relations;
health status.

Early menstruation occurs between the ages of 8 and 10, and late periods between the ages of 15 and over. The latter option is quite common in children who have been sick a lot and have been taking medication for a long period of time. Quite often, hormonal disruptions and improper development of the reproductive organs are considered the cause of deviations from the norm.

Cycle duration

The girl just needs to be told how her periods go, how long they last, possible problems and how to take care of herself during this period. It is very important to acquaint her with the concept of the duration of the menstrual cycle and teach her how to use the calendar so as not to get into a "leakage".

And so, how should the monthly pass? It is important to know that this question is purely individual, because each organism is special. If there are no health problems, then the cycle should be stable. However, it takes a little time to stabilize the menstrual cycle.

What is the menstrual kind, the reconfiguration of the body. This process involves:

vagina;
uterus;
ovaries.

It is important for a girl to know that menstruation is a natural process that occurs when hormones are produced by the ovaries. This bleeding from the genital tract should not frighten or cause discomfort. A cycle is the period of time between the first day of one period and the first day of another. Although the ideal cycle is lunar (28 days), the norm is from 10 to 45 days. If you notice a deviation from these norms, or for a long time the cycle has not been established, then you need to consult a gynecologist, because the problem may be a violation of ovarian function.

Control (calendar method)

We figured out what menstruation means. Once again, this is the monthly bleeding from the vagina of every woman. When a girl has her period, she should be taught to mark these days on the calendar. Why is this needed? Of course, the calendar tracking method helps to determine the length of the cycle and the duration of menstrual flow.

In addition, the calendar method is a contraceptive. Thanks to the calendar, you can avoid unwanted pregnancy, as it is possible to calculate the approximate day of ovulation. It is worth noting that this method should be combined with others, because there is a low probability of unwanted pregnancy even on days that are unfavorable for conception.

Personal hygiene

While menstruation passes, it is necessary to observe it more carefully. This will help to avoid unpleasant sensations, both for the girl and for others.

Everyone knows that the secreted blood has a specific smell. You can get rid of it very simply by following some rules.

What is the discharge during menstruation? This is mostly the top layer of the endometrium. The endometrium lines the walls of the uterus from the inside. It is important to know that over time this layer needs to be changed. As a result, menstruation occurs. During the "cleansing" of the uterus, its cervix expands so that unnecessary parts can come out without any obstacles. The dilated cervix is the perfect environment for bacteria to enter the uterus. They may be contained on a pad or tampon that has not been changed for a long time.

To eliminate unpleasant odors and prevent the ingress of bacteria, it is worth listening to some hygiene rules:

change your pad or tampon every three hours;
if possible, take a shower before changing the protective equipment;
if the last point is impossible to implement, then it will be enough to wash or wipe with a damp cloth;
when washing, first of all, you need to clean the perineum and only then the anus (this will be an obstacle to getting microbes from the rectum into the vagina);
you can not take a bath and go to the bath.

The last point is mandatory, because the water in the bath is not sterile, therefore, bacteria and germs can enter the vagina. In addition, hot water and high temperatures promote blood flow to the pelvis and the expansion of the cervix, which makes it easier for bacteria to enter the uterus.

How many are monthly?

And so, how do normal periods go? Let's start with the fact that menarche, that is, the first menstruation, does not last long, only a couple of days. In this case, there is practically no blood (just a couple of drops), as a rule, this is a “daub”. The normal cycle will be established only after a year and a half.

Please note that the established cycle should not go astray throughout the entire childbearing period of a woman's life. This is very important, if there are deviations, then it is better to visit a gynecologist.

How long do periods last? 10 days, 7 or 2 - these are all within the normal range. For some, they pass quickly enough, but there are cases when menstruation lasts up to ten days. Do not worry about this, because each organism is individual. Below are some norms regarding menstruation, if you do not have any deviations from them, then consider that you are completely healthy:

The cycle should be in the range from twenty to thirty-five days. The "lunar cycle" is common and, according to gynecologists, the most successful (28 days).
On average, in women, the duration of menstruation is five days, but the norm is a period of two to ten days.
The intensity of bleeding should decrease by the last day of menstruation.
It is rather difficult to determine, but, nevertheless, there is a norm of lost blood. Be sure to pay attention to the intensity of the discharge, for the entire cycle you should not lose more than 60 milliliters of blood. This amount is optimal, the woman does not feel any discomfort or discomfort, because the loss is quickly restored by the body.

Amount of blood

The amount of bleeding during menstruation depends on many factors:

the presence of an intrauterine device as a means of contraception increases the volume of blood and the duration of critical days;
taking contraceptive hormonal drugs can reduce blood volume, as well as reduce or increase the number of "red days";
hormonal background;
existing diseases;
heredity;
body type;
external factors (climate, social environment, and so on);
food quality;
state of the nervous system;
age;
in women who have given birth, the amount of blood during menstruation increases significantly;

At the same time, the color of menstruation can also say a lot. We will talk about this in the next section of the article. Please note that the volume of blood lost should not exceed 60 milliliters for the entire cycle. If you go beyond this range, contact your gynecologist, he may prescribe a special drug for bleeding during menstruation.

Quality of blood released during menstruation

The color of menstruation can tell about any disorders and diseases that take place in the female body. Please note that the color, volume and nature of the discharge can change in a woman many times in her life. Many factors influence this process.

What do scanty dark periods mean? As a rule, these are only their harbingers. Brown discharge before menstruation is considered the norm, and you should not worry about this. Dark periods also occur after abortions and miscarriages, long-term use of hormonal contraceptives.

The first menstruation should be a bright scarlet color, their number should be minimal. Please note that if menstruation of this nature appeared after the establishment of the cycle (that is, this is not the first menstruation), then it is possible that this is endometriosis, which, of course, needs to be treated with hormonal drugs.

Brown or black discharge three days before menstruation or earlier can also indicate the presence of endometriosis disease or an ectopic pregnancy, which poses a serious danger to a woman's life. Take a pregnancy test and immediately go to the gynecologist.

Pain during menstruation

Some girls note that the first day of menstruation is very difficult to tolerate, as it is accompanied by severe pain. As sad as it may be, there are many such cases. Consult a gynecologist for advice, and he will help you relieve these sensations with the help of drugs. Worrying about this issue is completely pointless, this is a completely normal state of a girl during her period. Many women claim that after the birth of a child they were able to get rid of this symptom.

PMS

With the question of how the monthly passes, we figured it out. Now let's take a very brief look at the concept of PMS. This is premenstrual syndrome, which manifests itself differently in everyone. The most common symptoms:

irritability;
aggression;
headache;
nausea;
elevated temperature;
chills;
decreased attention and memory;
breast swelling and more.

Sex during menstruation

With an intimate life, it is better to wait a little. Why:

from an aesthetic point of view, it is disgusting;
during menstruation, there is a high probability of “catching” the disease, because the cervix is open;
the likelihood of developing diseases is possible - endometriosis, algomenorrhea;
many believe that it is impossible to get pregnant during menstruation, but this is not the case (not one, but two eggs can ripen; early ovulation may come, and sperm cells live in the woman’s vagina for up to eleven days);
blood is a very poor lubricant during intercourse, because the latter is much thicker than blood;
this can push your partner away.

Menstruation during pregnancy

If you notice spotting while expecting a baby, then you should immediately go to your doctor. This may indicate some pathologies of pregnancy or the possibility of a miscarriage. However, there are cases when a girl has menstruation during pregnancy. In any case, the presence of spotting during pregnancy is a deviation from the norm.

Menstruation and menopause

At this time, the woman is "reconfiguring" the body, now it will serve only you. It's not that bad. During this period of time, there may be severe disruptions with the menstrual cycle (menstruation comes twice a month, blood is replaced by scanty secretions, and so on). It's quite normal. Be sure to learn to distinguish menopause from pregnancy, because the absence of menstruation occurs in both cases. Menopause has a number of symptoms: dryness in the vagina, frequent headaches, prolonged depression, profuse night sweats, and many others.

Menstruation is the period of the menstrual cycle, during which the girl has a discharge of blood from the vagina. The blood released during menstruation is thick and dark in appearance, and may contain clots or lumps. This is due to the fact that during menstruation, not only blood is released from the cavity, but also sections of the inner layer of the uterus, which is called the endometrium.

Where does the blood come from during menstruation?

Bloody discharge during menstruation appears due to damage to the blood vessels of the inner layer of the uterus. The destruction of these vessels occurs during the death of the uterine mucosa (endometrium) if the woman is not pregnant.

At what age should menses start?

Most girls have their first period between the ages of 12 and 15. Often (but not always) a girl's first period occurs at the same age as her mother. Therefore, if your mother's first menstruation came late (at 15-16 years old), then there is a high probability that they will come to you at this age. However, the first period may come a few years earlier or later than your mother. This is completely normal.

Some studies show that the arrival of the first menstruation in girls occurs when they reach a certain weight, which is about 47 kg. Thus, in thin girls, on average, menstruation occurs later than in chubby ones.

What are the first symptoms of menstruation?

A few months before your first period, you may feel a nagging pain in your lower abdomen, and you may also notice white or clear discharge from the vagina.

If you notice even a small amount of brown discharge on your panties, this is your first period. Often the first menstruation is very scanty - just a few drops of blood.

What is the monthly cycle and how long does it last?

The monthly or menstrual cycle is the length of time from the first day of one menstruation to the first day of the next menstruation.

Different women have different cycle times. Normally, the length of the menstrual cycle should be from 21 to 35 days. In most girls, the menstrual cycle lasts 28-30 days. This means that menstruation comes every 28-30 days.

What is a regular menstrual cycle?

The regularity of the menstrual cycle means that menstruation occurs every time after a certain number of days. The regularity of your menstrual cycle is an important indicator that your ovaries are working properly.

How to determine the regularity of the menstrual cycle?

To do this, you can use a calendar in which you will mark the first day of your period each time. If, according to your calendar, menstruation occurs every time on the same date, or at certain intervals, then you have regular periods.

How many days should a period go?

The duration of menstruation for different girls can be different. Normally, periods can go from 3 to 7 days. If your period is less than 3 days, or more than 7 days, then you need to contact a gynecologist.

How much blood should be released during menstruation?

It may seem to you that during your period you have a lot of blood, but this is not so. Usually, within 3-5 days of menstruation, a girl loses no more than 80 ml of blood (this is about 4 tablespoons).

To get an idea of how much blood you're bleeding, you can watch your pads. Pads vary greatly in the amount of blood they can absorb. On average, a 4-5 drop pad can absorb up to 20-25 ml of blood (while it looks evenly filled with blood). If during one day of menstruation you have to change pads every 2-3 hours, this indicates that you have heavy periods and you should consult a gynecologist.

Pads or tampons?

Most girls prefer to use pads during menstruation. There is a separate article on our website about which pads are best to choose, how to use them correctly and how often you need to change them:.

Is menstruation painful?

A few days before the onset of menstruation and in the first days of menstruation, you may feel aching or cramping pain in the lower abdomen. This is normal. If the pain in the abdomen is severe, you can take painkillers (No-shpu, Ibuprofen, Analgin, etc.) or use other tips described in the article.

With frequent severe pain in the abdomen during menstruation, it is recommended to consult a gynecologist. You may need to undergo treatment.

Is it possible to play sports during menstruation?

During menstruation, you can play sports if you do not feel pain in the abdomen and if the periods are not too heavy. When playing sports, avoid exercises in which your butt is above your head (for example, you can’t hang on the horizontal bar upside down, do somersaults, do a “birch tree”).

Is it possible to take a bath and go to the pool during menstruation?

Can. A warm bath during your period can reduce stomach pain and make you feel better.

When swimming in the pool, water cannot enter your vagina during menstruation or on other days of the cycle. You can go to the pool if your periods are not heavy and you have used a tampon. At the same time, you should not stay in the pool for a long time, and immediately after swimming, you need to change the tampon, or replace it with a pad.

Is it possible to go to the bath or sauna during menstruation?

No, this is not desirable, as high ambient temperatures can cause increased bleeding.

Is it possible to go to the solarium and sunbathe during menstruation?

No, this is not desirable, because during menstruation, the female body is more susceptible to ultraviolet rays. Sunburn (in the sun or in) during menstruation can lead to increased bleeding or other unwanted symptoms (headaches, weakness, dizziness, etc.)

The female body, unlike the male, has its own characteristics. Nature is so arranged that a woman bears and gives birth to a child. In her body, starting from adolescence, there are complex biological processes associated with puberty and the onset of menstruation. You should know at what age menstruation begins in girls.

In the ovaries, the female sex glands, complex chemicals are synthesized and released into the blood - hormones called progesterone and estrogen. They affect the metabolic processes in the body, causing secondary sexual characteristics, the onset of menstruation.

The eggs mature in the follicles. Regular maturation of fertile eggs is observed from the onset of puberty. If the egg is not fertilized, then menstruation begins. The maturation of the follicle and the release of the egg from it in women correspond to certain days between two periods, which is called ovulation.

The first menstruation indicates the onset of puberty, which occurs gradually. Menstruation is the external manifestation of the important and complex process of turning a girl into a girl. Girls should be aware that intimacy, regardless of young age, can lead to pregnancy.

Girls first period

According to statistics, earlier menstruation began in girls when they reached the age of 17-18. What age do girls start menstruating now? Now the first menstruation is celebrated at an earlier date than a hundred years ago. For some, critical days come at 12-13 years old, and for eastern representatives even 10-11 years old.

If menstruation appears very early, before 9 years, this indicates precocious puberty.

At what age do they start?

If critical days come at the age of 11-16 years, this is considered normal from the point of view of medicine.

If menstruation begins before the age of 11, then parents need to know that the reason for this may be:

unbearable physical activity for this age;
hormonal imbalance;
unbalanced diet.

Late onset of puberty at 16-20 years is associated with:

hormonal imbalance;
neuropsychiatric disorders;
insufficient development of the ovaries;
dysfunction of the pituitary gland.

signs

About 2 years before the onset of critical days, girls begin to noticeably change:

They become more feminine, their emotional mood changes, body shapes are rounded, breasts noticeably increase.
In the armpits and on the pubis, the appearance of dark hairs is noted, the external genitalia slightly increase in size.
In the body, hormonal changes take place, from the increased work of the sebaceous and sweat glands on the face, back, girls also have acne.
The roots of the hair on the head quickly become oily.
2-3 months before the onset of menstruation, vaginal discharge of a whitish or yellowish nature is observed.

At the next stage, 3-4 months before the start of the first days of menstruation, girls begin to feel causeless apathy or aggression, they are worried about minor headaches, they become whiny and touchy.

All these signs should not be ignored by adults, they should psychologically prepare the girl for the onset of a new stage of development - for puberty.

What should be the menstruation?

It is known that the body loses from 50 to 100 ml, sometimes more blood during menstruation. They cause pulling or cramping pains, general weakness, fatigue, dizziness, headaches, some may experience nausea and vomiting.

Important Points

Do I need to visit a gynecologist?

If there are no obvious reasons, it is not necessary to visit the gynecologist's office regularly after the first menstruation. Moms should enroll their girls to a gynecologist for an examination at the age of 14-15 to make sure there are no health problems, their proper development.

There are reasons to visit a gynecologist after the onset of menstruation:

A too short period of menstruation of 1-2 days is observed several times in a row, or menstruation lasts more than a week. In the first case, this indicates that hormones are not produced enough, ovarian function is impaired. In the second case, this indicates a weak contractility of the uterus.
Bleeding is too abundant, you often have to change tampons and pads.
After the first menstruation, menstruation was interrupted, the pause was about 6 months.
After establishing a normal menstrual cycle, the cycles began to be disturbed (longer than 5 weeks or shorter than 3 weeks).
In the secretions, the presence of large ones is observed.
If abundant discharge with blood clots is noted, the girl has a stomach ache and dizziness, her body temperature is elevated, intestinal disorders are accompanied by vomiting and nausea.

All these symptoms indicate problems in the girl's health.
From all of the above, it follows that when the onset of the first menstruation approaches, the mother should talk in advance about possible changes in her daughter's body.