WORDS BY LADY G- SPEAK UP/ EDUCATION ON THE MENSTRUAL CYCLE

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SPEAK UP

            Today, let us speak up about: Education on a Menstrual Cycle!

1.     Menstrual Cycle

A.     Definition: The process of ovulation (when an egg is released from the ovaries) and menstruation in women and other female primates.

2.     Purpose of a Menstrual Cycle

A.      The menstrual cycle is the series of changes a woman's body goes through to prepare for a pregnancy. About once a month, the uterus grows a new lining (endometrium) to get ready for a fertilized egg . When there is no fertilized egg to start a pregnancy, the uterus sheds its lining. This is the monthly menstrual bleeding (also called menstrual period) that women have from their early teen years until menopause, around age 50.

B.      The menstrual cycle is from Day 1 of bleeding to Day 1 of the next time of bleeding. Although the average cycle is 28 days, it is normal to have a cycle that is shorter or longer.

C.      Girls usually start having menstrual periods between the ages of 11 and 14. Women usually start to have fewer periods between ages 39 and 51. Women in their 40s and teens may have cycles that are longer or change a lot. If you are a teen, your cycles should even out with time. If you are nearing menopause, your cycles will probably get longer and then will stop.

3.      Changes that affect menstrual cycles

A.      A change in hormone levels can affect your cycle or fertility. For example, teens tend to have low or changing progesterone levels. This is also true for women close to menopause. That is why teens and women in their 40s may have heavy menstrual bleeding and cycles that change in length.

B.      Other things can change your cycle. They include birth control pills, low body fat, losing a lot of weight, or being overweight. Stress or very hard exercise also can change your cycle. Pregnancy is the most common cause of a missed period.

4.       Common symptoms of a menstrual cycle

A.      For about a week before a period, many women have some premenstrual symptoms. You may feel more tense or angry. You may gain water weight and feel bloated. Your breasts may feel tender. You may get acne. You also may have less energy than usual. A day or two before your period, you may start having pain (cramps) in your belly, back, or legs. These symptoms go away during the first days of a period.

B.      When your ovary releases an egg in the middle of your cycle, you may have pain in your lower belly. You also might have red spotting for less than a day. Both are normal.

5.      How to take care of the bleeding and symptoms

A.      You can use pads or tampons to manage bleeding. Whichever you use, be sure to change the pad or tampon at least every 4 to 6 hours during the day. Pads may be best at night.

B.      Many women can improve their symptoms by getting regular exercise and eating a healthy diet. It also may help to limit alcohol and caffeine. Try to reduce stress.

C.      A heating pad, hot water bottle, or warm bath also can help with cramps. You can take an over-the-counter medicine such as ibuprofen or naproxen before and during your period to reduce pain and bleeding.

6.      Reference on menstrual cycles

A.      I retrieved all of this information from WebMD.com

 *** I know this isn’t a typical speak up, but I feel like this topic needs more attention. Preteen girls are not being educated enough about what they have to look forward to. They become fearful of the unknown.

*** With all of the unexplained changes in today’s society, it is important for a girl to comprehend what her body will go through. It is natural and real.

*** I really hope this helps a little. Please feel free to email me at: wordsbyladyg@gmail.com for any questions or concerns we both can find answers to. Thank you my Luvaholics!