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Every
healthy girl in the world has a period. Your period is your
body's way of preparing for a pregnancy.
A lining, made up of blood and tissue, is built up inside
the uterus to nourish a fertilized egg. If there is no pregnancy,
the lining is shed and blood comes out of the vagina. This
is a period. It's a sign of growing up. Another part of growing
up means taking care of your body when you have your period
to make yourself feel comfortable and protected while menstruating. |
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Understanding
your menstrual cycle is important before you can understand
some forms of contraception like the pill, or pregnancy. Women
usually have a 28-day cycle (see below)
but also remember that every woman's cycle is unique and different. |
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Girls
start menstruating or get their 'periods' between the age
of 10 - 16 years, however, the age and time varies from one
person to the other - some may start earlier and others later
depending on the hormonal changes in the body. The egg released
from the ovary travels through the fallopian tube to the uterus.
One egg is released every month. If the egg meets the sperm
in the fallopian tube, the egg can be fertilized and if the
fertilized egg moves to the uterus, a baby can be formed. |
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The
uterus anticipates that the egg will be fertilized and grow
into a baby. So in preparation, it grows a sponge-like layer
of tissue and blood cells, called endometrium, which is meant
to provide safety, warmth and nourishment to the baby for
the nine months of pregnancy. If the egg is not fertilized,
the endometrium breaks down and flows out through your vaginal
opening in the form of bleeding. At times you may also notice
clots of blood flowing out. Over the entire period, your body
throws out a half a cup of fluid and the body quickly replaces
the amount of blood lost. The unfertilized egg also leaves
your body along with the menstrual flow. This takes place
for about 5 days every month, however number of days may again
vary from one girl to the other. The average is about 3-7days.
The average period comes every 28 days. But some menstrual
cycles can take as little as 21 days, or as much as 35 days.
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Day
1-7: Day 1 is the first day of your period, and when the
levels of main female hormones (progesterone and estrogen)
in your body start dropping. Dropping hormone levels signals
the uterus to shed its nutrient rich lining (called the endometrium)
that had been built up in anticipation of nurturing a fertilised
embryo. The shedding of the lining and bleeding is the menstrual
flow or period. |
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Day
8-15: Your period is over by now. The ovaries produce
large amounts of estrogen that signals the uterus to thicken
its lining to receive the egg. Increased estrogen levels triggers
off another hormone called LH (lutenizing hormone), which
tells the ovaries to release an egg. This process is called
ovulation and occurs around the 14th day around after your
period begins. This could be associated with mild abdominal
pains. |
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Days
15-21: Progesterone kicks in to prepare the nutrient-rich
lining of the uterus to receive the egg. If fertilised the
egg will implant itself in this lining around day 21 of the
cycle. |
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Day
22 to 28: If the egg is not implanted there is a drop
in the hormone level which eventually triggers off menstruation.
The decline in hormones contributes to PMS. |
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To
protect yourself during periods, you can use sanitary napkins/pads
that are belted or beltless, or tampons. |
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Belted
napkins are to be tied around the waist and the beltless napkins
can be stuck firmly to the panty. The instructions are clearly
given on the sanitary napkin package. |
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Tampons
are cylindrical in shape and expand to soak up moisture and
blood. The tampon is inserted inside the vagina, about a finger
length deep. A tampon or sanitary napkin should be changed
every 4-5 hours, otherwise it could lead to infections and
diseases. If the flow is very heavy, you may need to change
every 2 hours. It is always a good idea to carry two napkins
or tampons with you always, especially around the time you
are expecting your periods. |
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To
dispose off a used pad, fold it over and wrap it in toilet
paper, newspaper, or tissue and place it in a wastebasket,
and never throw the used pad unwrapped in the wastebasket
as it can cause infections and bad odor. Never flush the pad
as it can block up the plumbing. That could be very embarrassing!
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Some
girls experience discomfort and pain during periods, called
'period pains' or 'menstrual cramps'. The most common complain
is cramping in the lower abdomen and back. Sometimes that
pain is like a constant dull ache, or a feeling of heaviness.
You may also feel pain in your lower back and thighs. Cramps
are caused by contractions in the uterus and these may start
up to a day before the periods, and usually stop after the
first day of your periods, however it may continue even after
the first day for some girls. |
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For
relief from cramps, you may find the following helpful:
- Painkiller:
If the cramps are unbearable, you can take a painkiller
like aspirin or paracetamol or ponstan. Talk to your parent
or doctor before taking any of these medicines
- Hot
water bottle: Place a hot-water bottle on your abdomen
or lower back as this may relax the cramping
- Exercise:
Take a long walk or go swimming. Deep breathing exercises
are good also very helpful, especially if you deep breathe
or take your breath down to your genital area or the area
that is paining - lower back or abdomen.
- Warm
Bath: Take a warm bath as it will ease and relax your
body.
- A
healthy diet and regular exercise are very effective in
keeping cramps at bay
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However
if you find the cramps really unbearable and if the cramps
bring nausea or blackouts, make sure you check with an adult
like your mother, elder sister, teacher, counselor or a doctor
before you take any kind of medication. |
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Some
girls do not bathe or wash their hair during periods and some
people believe that you should not go to the temple or eat
pickle and curd while menstruating because they feel that
girls are not pure during these 5 days. People also feel that
the blood that flows out of the body is the impure. Now you
know that it is not true as menstruation is a biological process
and is essential for reproduction. If a woman does not menstruate,
she will not be able to bear children and child bearing and
rearing is considered sacred in our society. How can something
that enables a sacred process be impure at the same time?!
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