Adolescence

There will be development of breast, hips and body hair. One of the major changes is that you will start menstruating. Menstruation, also called menses, menstrual period or period, is a monthly bleeding through the vagina experienced by every woman. The menstrual blood is partly blood and partly tissue from the inner lining of the uterus (endometrium). The average length of menstrual period is 3-5 days.

The female reproductive system involves the uterus, ovaries, fallopian tubes and vagina. The female hormones, Oestrogen and Prostresrone, produced by the ovaries, rise and fall during the month and cause the menstrual cycle.

A menstrual cycle is the time from the first day you start bleeding (also called day 1) of one period to the day before the next one. The average menstrual cycle is 28 days long. However, a cycle can range anywhere from 21 to 35 days.

The first time a girl gets her menstrual period is called MENARCHE and it starts at an average of 12 years. A girl can begin menstruating anytime between the ages of 8 and 12 years. Once all parts of a girl’s reproductive system have matured and are working together.

If a woman has had a sexual intercourse at around 10th to 18th day of a 28 day cycle, the sperm travels from the vagina to the fallopian tube where it fertilizes the egg released from the ovary during ovulation; this is called fertilization. The male and female gametes (cells involved in sexual reproduction) fuse, multiply and after approximately 6 days of fertilization, theses form a mass of cells which gets attached in the uterus; that’s when the woman is said to be pregnant. There is continuous release of progesterone which helps maintain pregnancy, thus giving a temporary break to the monthly periods.

A woman stops getting her menstrual periods usually around the age of 45-50, this is called menopause.

• Gently cleanse the external genitalia with soap and water as part of daily bathing to help eliminate odour.
• Every time you use toilet, wipe the genitals from front to back to avoid the spread of bacteria from the anus to the vagina and wash your hands before and after using the bathroom and whenever changing menstrual protection (sanitary napkins).
• Underwear should be changed daily.
• Change sanitary pads every three- four hours, or as often as needed, to feel comfortable and to prevent odour from forming.
• Wrap the toilet paper and place them in the wastebasket or disposal container.
• Carry a pad in your purse/ bag when you are nearing your date.
• For many girls there is a thin, clear vaginal discharge that occurs up to a year before the first menstrual period and many continue for a few years after the beginning of the period. This discharge is very common and normal. A panty liner may be worn daily to protect underpants from this wetness.

They may be due to a hormonal imbalance and can range from negligible in some girls to very severe in some. These are:

• Premenstrual syndrome (PMS):

  Headache, backache, abdominal pain, skin problems, weakness, nausea, breast tenderness, bloating, mood swings, food craving, etc, occur approximately 10-14 days before menses and disappear at the onset of the periods.

• Dysmenorrhoea:

  It is painful menstruation that occurs in the lower abdomen, back or thighs. It starts just before menstruation or may accompany it, and usually lessens as menstruation progresses.

• Oligomenorrhoea:

  Occur less frequently than every 35 days (< 8 cycles / year)

• Polymenorrhoea:

  Cycles occur with intervals of 21 days or less. It is advisable to get checked, as frequent bleeding can lead to anaemia (periods every 2-3 weeks)

• Amenorrhoea:

  Absence of menses. It is expected during pregnancy and breast feeding.

• Menorrhagia:

  It is heavy bleeding or bleeding lasting longer than 7 days.

If you have any of the problems mentioned above, do seek your doctor’s advice.

Yes, there are certain medications which help in postponing the menstruation. Consult your doctor before taking any medicine.