It’s time to have that period talk.
Periods. We all get them, but it seems that we don’t like to talk about them very often.
Getting your period is a normal part of the menstrual cycle and can give you insights on your overall health. It is worth noting that what is “normal” for your friend or sister might not be normal for you.
Everybody is unique and experiences a different cycle. For instance, menstrual cycles can vary from 21 – 35 days and periods can last anywhere between 2 – 7 days. Menstrual cycles are controlled by several hormones in the body and its main goal is to create a suitable environment to reproduce.
Here’s why we have periods:
Periods tend to happen during the last stage of your menstrual cycle. During this time, the endometrium or the lining of the uterus that has grown during the first parts of your cycle sheds.
Your period will most likely fluctuate during different stages of your life (i.e., first period, pregnancy, pre-menopause, menopause) but between those stages, your period should be relatively consistent.
The amount of blood and the length of your cycle is unique to your body and can tell you a whole lot about your well-being. However, the heaviness and length of your period may be affected by external factors such as using birth control, stress, diet and internal factors such as pregnancy, pelvic inflammatory disease, endometriosis, PCOS or uterine fibroids.
To have a better understanding of your body, it is important to keep track of your period’s start date, length, volume, flow, pain and cramps, mood and other changes. This way, you can compare and detect any irregularities that may occur during your future cycles.
Periods are something we should talk about, let’s start a conversation! If you have any questions about your period or are interested in participating in currently enrolling women’s healthcare research studies call us at (858) 505 – 8672.