Physiology of processes in the female body during menstruation. What happens in the body during menstruation

In our article you can read about why the uterus hurts during menstruation, how menstruation occurs during lactation and while taking contraceptive medications, and also why you can’t sing during menstruation and actively play sports.

Uterus during menstruation

Menstruation is the process of detachment of the endometrium and its subsequent removal together with blood from the uterus. As a rule, this process occurs monthly in women of childbearing age.

The first day of the monthly cycle is the first day of menstrual bleeding. The menstrual cycle is considered to be the time period from the first day of menstruation to the beginning of the next one. The normal menstrual cycle is 21-38 days. If you experience any deviations from the norm, you must immediately inform your doctor.

An unstable menstrual cycle is usually characteristic of young girls after the first menstruation, called menarche. But from year to year it becomes more stable and over time it completely normalizes. During menstruation, the uterus gets rid of the endometrium, which has prepared after ovulation for the attachment of a fertilized egg. But when this does not happen, the endometrium begins to slough off. With a regular cycle, ovulation during menstruation is almost impossible. But if a woman’s cycle is irregular, for example, if her periods appear several times a month or are absent for a long time, then ovulation during menstruation can still occur. With a cycle length of 28 days, ovulation usually occurs 14 days after the start of menstruation.

The cervix is slightly open during menstruation. This fact, and the presence of blood discharge, create favorable conditions for the proliferation of dangerous pathogenic bacteria. Therefore, it is extremely necessary to diligently maintain personal hygiene, since the uterus is especially vulnerable during menstruation. You should wash at least twice a day and remember to regularly change tampons and sanitary pads. It is advisable to stop sexual relations during menstruation for the same reason.

Pain during menstruation

Many women experience pain during menstruation. This is due to the fact that the uterus contracts rhythmically during menstruation. Minor pain is not a deviation from the norm and disappears after the end of menstruation.

The cause of too heavy, long and painful menstruation may be an excess of the hormone estrogen in the blood. With hormonal fluctuations, women can simultaneously suffer from algodismenorrhea and PMS.

The occurrence of pain is often associated with an increase in the level of prostaglandins in the blood. These are special chemicals that play an important role in causing many of the symptoms associated with period discomfort. They are produced by the tissue of the uterus and provoke its contraction. The higher the content of prostaglandins in the body, the more intensely the muscle tissue of the uterus contracts and, consequently, the pain increases. Excess prostaglandins can also cause nausea, vomiting, headaches, chills, sweating, and tachycardia.

In addition, factors that cause pain during menstruation may include:

intrauterine device;
bend of the uterus;
endometriosis;
cysts, fibromatous nodes;
venereal diseases;
calcium deficiency in the blood;
inflammation of the genital organs;
thyroid dysfunction;
hormone imbalance;
stress.

Therefore, women who experience abdominal pain during menstruation should be examined by a specialist, since gynecological diseases often cause infertility.

Girls should also watch for heavy menstrual bleeding. Blood loss should not exceed 80 ml. If you have to change pads every 2-3 hours, you are bleeding heavily. It can be caused by poor blood clotting, endometriosis, various tumors in the uterus, etc. If you experience heavy bleeding, accompanied by pain and high fever, then you simply need to see a gynecologist during your period.

Menstruation during lactation

Menstruation during lactation is a fairly common occurrence. In the first two months after the birth of a child, women may continue to experience postpartum discharge, which is completely unrelated to menstruation. They are cleansing in nature.

If a woman breastfeeds her baby, her periods appear 6-12 months after giving birth. If the baby is bottle-fed, the woman's menstruation appears much earlier, approximately 6-8 weeks after the baby is born. But in rare cases, a nursing woman’s period begins just 1.5-2 months after giving birth, and this depends on the individual characteristics of the body.

Periods while taking birth control pills

Birth control, if taken correctly, prevents pregnancy in almost 100% of cases. You should start taking birth control pills during your period on the first day of the menstrual cycle, only then do the drugs take effect. The tablets are taken once a day for 21 days, after which a break is taken for 7 days, and then the tablets are continued from a new package.

In addition, the use of these drugs regulates the monthly cycle, relieves many women from heavy menstrual bleeding and pain during menstruation. Modern contraceptives help avoid the symptoms of menopause and premenstrual periods, reduce the risk of developing cancer, prevent acne and stop unwanted facial hair growth.

But it should be noted that contraceptives have some side effects. For example, when taking these medications, bleeding may occur, both breakthrough and spotting in nature. Spotting appears in the first few months of taking birth control pills. Most often, they are observed when taking products with a small content of hormones and occur because the tiny doses of hormones contained in the tablet do not have time to accumulate in the body in sufficient quantities to delay menstruation. This phenomenon is not a deviation from the norm, therefore, if spotting occurs, you should not stop taking contraceptive medications. In addition, menstruation while taking contraceptive medications may occur a little earlier or later than expected, it all depends on the individual characteristics of the female body. There is no need to worry about this; the cycle normalizes when the body fully adapts.

If your periods have not returned to normal within 6 months of stopping the use of birth control, consult your doctor.

Thrush during menstruation

Many women get thrush during their periods. The cause of candidiasis (thrush) during menstruation is the formation of favorable conditions for the spread of this fungus. Menstruation is just one of the provoking factors for exacerbation of candidiasis. This disease can also appear during pregnancy, during ovulation, and when taking contraceptives and antibiotics. The following symptoms may indicate the presence of this disease:

redness of the genitals;
curdled discharge.

If thrush appears during menstruation, a woman may experience pain during menstruation, and the discharge will have an unpleasant odor. If these symptoms appear, you should make an appointment with a doctor. He will conduct the necessary examinations and prescribe treatment. To avoid the occurrence of thrush during menstruation, you should be very careful about your personal hygiene.

Should I use suppositories during my period?

Often, the instructions for using vaginal suppositories indicate that they should not be used during menstruation. The fact is that all the healing substances contained in the suppositories come out along with the discharge during menstrual bleeding. And this happens because many vaginal suppositories contain a base that is washed off with menstrual blood, especially during heavy menstruation.

Gynecologists advise not to use suppositories for treatment during menstruation, even if the instructions allow it, since it is unlikely to be effective. It is best to start treatment after the end of menstruation.

Is it possible to donate blood during menstruation?

Many women, when taking tests during their periods, do not assume that their results may be distorted. For example, if you decide to donate blood during your period, you should be prepared for the fact that the hemoglobin level on these days may be slightly lower due to heavy blood loss. In addition, there is also no point in taking a test aimed at studying blood clotting. Because to prevent bleeding during menstruation, blood clotting increases.

And although menstruation does not have a special effect on other blood characteristics, it is still better to take tests only five days after the end of menstruation. Of course, if the results are needed urgently, then menstruation cannot be a contraindication.

Exercising during your period can be very beneficial. Moderate sports activities can relieve you of general weakness and abdominal pain. During training, blood circulation in the pelvis improves, tension in the lower back disappears, and endorphins are produced - “hormones of happiness” that help cope with stress and bad mood.

You should postpone fitness activities during your period if your doctor prohibits them. You should also not exercise if you experience severe pain, heavy bleeding, or dizziness during your period. And remember that the load should not be too intense.

Why you shouldn't sing during your period

During menstruation, a woman’s body experiences slight swelling of some organs, including the vocal cords and larynx. The capillary network on the vocal cords becomes more pronounced due to a stronger than usual rush of blood. The consequence of blood flow inevitably becomes swelling of the vocal cords and, as a result, their poor mobility. When singing, this can cause damage to the ligaments (tiny tears, knots or even hemorrhages in the vocal muscle).

For this reason, singing should be stopped until your period ends.

What to do if you have pain during your period?

If you experience severe pain, you should immediately consult a doctor, especially if it is accompanied by fever, severe bleeding and dizziness. To diagnose the causes of cycle disorders, you may be prescribed: MRI, ultrasound, blood tests, smears, urine tests, etc. After making a diagnosis, the doctor prescribes the necessary treatment. In case of hormonal imbalance, hormonal therapy is carried out, in case of bleeding, curettage is often prescribed, in case of various infections and inflammations - antibiotics, if pain is associated with stress - sedatives, etc.

If your doctor has not identified any pathologies and your pain is caused by natural causes, he may prescribe you painkillers, such as Celecoxib or Meloxicam. Taking Thiamine, Magne B6, Omega-3, Calcium supplements, and vitamin A will help restore the cycle.

Pain can decrease if you eat right, avoid all kinds of stressful situations, exercise regularly, and give up bad habits.

If there are any irregularities in your menstrual cycle, you should immediately consult a doctor. Failure to timely identify the causes of cycle disruptions can lead to serious consequences, for example, infertility.

The most important and interesting news about infertility treatment and IVF is now in our Telegram channel @probirka_forum Join us!

Over the course of a calendar month, a woman’s body undergoes cyclical changes that culminate in menstruation. From the first day they begin to count the new menstrual cycle.

Menstruation (periods, critical days) is the main stage of puberty in girls. This is one of the many physical signs that a girl is turning into a woman.

Some girls can't wait for it to start. Others may feel afraid or anxious. Many girls (and most guys!) don't have a full understanding of the function of the female reproductive system and what actually happens during the menstrual cycle. This can make the process even more mysterious.

Everything that happens during menstruation depends on the rhythmic release of sex hormones and pituitary hormones.

Show all

1. First period

Puberty begins no earlier than 9 years of age. This does not mean that your first period will come at this age.

First, the girl’s body must prepare and go through the following stages:

1 The appearance of pubic hair, almost simultaneously hair begins to grow in the armpits.
2 Growth and development of the mammary gland.
3 Menarche is the first menstruation.

Sometimes changes in the mammary gland occur before pubic hair begins to grow. It takes about two years from the start of breast growth to the appearance of the first menstruation. A girl's first period appears at about 13 years of age.

About six months before, the girl may notice an increase in the amount of discharge; this is normal. There is no need to worry if the discharge does not have an unpleasant odor and does not cause itching or burning.

Sometimes puberty occurs at a slower pace, then menstruation may begin at 14-15 years of age.

It is necessary to consult a doctor if you do not have periods at the age of 15, and other signs of puberty are not expressed.

2. What periods are considered normal?

Menstruation is bleeding that occurs due to the shedding of the inner lining of the uterus. Bleeding can last from 3 to 7 days, most often 4-5.

The duration of a full cycle from the beginning of one menstruation to the next is on average 28 days. Shortening the cycle to 21 days or increasing it to 35 days is not considered a deviation.

During menstruation, about 30-80 ml of blood is lost. This amount of blood loss does not affect the general condition and well-being. The body manages to compensate for blood loss by diluting the blood and releasing additional blood cells from the depot.

Menstrual discharge contains parts of the endometrium and epithelial cells; they differ in appearance from any other bleeding.

The blood itself is dark in color and does not clot. In the first few days, it contains mucous blood cords and clots - remnants of the inner lining of the uterus. In the last days of menstruation, only blood is released. It is gradually becoming smaller.

The amount of blood loss can be determined independently by the fullness of sanitary pads. If one pad lasts more than 2 hours, then there is nothing to worry about.

They need to be changed at least every 3-4 hours. Blood is a good breeding ground for bacteria, so a rare change of hygiene products can lead to the development of an inflammatory process (vulvovaginitis).

During this period, your health may deteriorate: pain and cramps in the lower abdomen and lower back, dizziness and headache, and weakness. Paracetamol and ibuprofen, which your doctor may prescribe, will relieve these symptoms. A warm heating pad and a warm shower will also help get rid of cramps.

Some girls feel a deterioration in their condition a few days before the onset of menstruation. In this case, signs appear that are combined into the concept:

1 Breast engorgement.
2 Headache.
3 Changes in mood.
4 Tearfulness.
5 Sometimes – aggression.
6 Digestive disorders, constipation, bloating.
7 Sleep disorders.

The severity of these symptoms can vary - from slight discomfort and heaviness in the chest on the eve of menstruation to serious disorders that force you to change your lifestyle and social activity.

They do not require special treatment, and in severe cases, you cannot do without the help of a doctor. Usually all unwanted symptoms disappear with the onset of menstruation.

3. Deviations from the norm

Menstruation is a reflection of the health of the female body. If the duration, regularity and volume of blood loss are not within the normal range, you need to look for the reasons and eliminate them.

Girls need to remember the date of their first menstruation and monitor their body. For most, it takes about a year for a normal cycle to develop; sometimes this process can take longer. In this case, you should not postpone your visit to the doctor.

The period between bleeding may initially vary; it may lengthen or shorten. The amount of bleeding sometimes ranges from scanty spotting for a couple of days to intense bleeding.

Pay attention to the following symptoms that may be signs of illness:

1 The menstrual cycle lasts more than 35 or less than 21 days.
2 In the middle of the cycle there are .
3 Irregular periods, there are no equal spaces between them.
4 Excessive discharge, one pad only lasts for 2 hours.
5 The bleeding continues more than 7 days.
6 No periods for more than 3 months, and pregnancy is excluded.
7 Arises lower abdomen.
8 Increases during menstruation temperature.

A doctor's help is also necessary for severe premenstrual syndrome. In some girls, its symptoms appear long before menstruation, immediately after ovulation.

The doctor will conduct an examination, find out the causes and prescribe treatment that will help reduce the severity of discomfort.

4. What sets the rhythm?

The menstrual cycle of any woman is controlled by the pituitary gland, a special part of the brain whose cells produce hormones.

Over the course of three weeks, under the influence of pituitary hormones, changes occur in the ovaries and uterus. Menstruation completes the development of the endometrium. But it is from the first day of menstruation that a new cycle begins.

This is due to the fact that at this moment the concentration of all hormones is in the “starting” state. The amount of estrogen is reduced.

At this time, the pituitary gland secretes follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). It causes the follicles in the ovaries to grow and prepares the egg for maturation. Estrogen is also intensively produced there. They affect the inner lining of the uterus and lead to a gradual increase in the thickness of the mucous layer.

The pituitary gland also secretes luteinizing hormone (LH). In the middle of the cycle there is a sharp release. This provokes ovulation - the release of an egg from the follicle.

Then the level of LH decreases, but under its influence a corpus luteum is formed at the site of the burst follicle. This hormone is needed to maintain the function of the corpus luteum.

Cells of the corpus luteum secrete progesterone. This is a hormone that prepares the endometrium (the inner lining of the uterus) for pregnancy. The number of vessels and glands in it increases, it becomes suitable for the attachment of a fertilized egg.

So, over the course of a month, the body prepares for pregnancy. This is a natural process that occurs in a girl who has not yet matured mentally to have children.

When pregnancy does not occur, the reverse process begins:

1 The corpus luteum “fades” and gradually disappears.
2 The endometrial vessels are compressed.
3 Blood flow and nutrition of the mucous membrane deteriorate.
4 The blood flow to the uterus does not change.
5 Blood separates the functional layer of the endometrium from the wall of the uterus; it leaves the body in the form of dark red, brownish strands and lumps.
6 Various influences on the phases of the menstrual cycle can lead to irregular periods.

5. How to behave during menstruation?

Menstruation is a normal phenomenon in the body of any woman. This period should not significantly affect your lifestyle. But you need to follow some rules so that problems do not arise during your period.

Hygiene is an important issue. This includes a daily shower and change of linen. Girls can use pads and sanitary tampons.

Modern pads for critical days are thin multi-layer napkins, the bottom oilcloth layer of which reliably protects the linen. They differ in the degree of absorption and size. They are changed, regardless of how full they are, at least every 3-4 hours. Why can't you do this less often?

There is a gap between the pad and the vaginal opening. Menstrual blood flows freely and drips onto the pad, but can stain the skin of the perineum and linger on the vulva.
Blood is a breeding ground for bacteria, and increased humidity and heat create favorable conditions for their reproduction. The degree of microbial contamination on the vulva is very high, so menstrual blood is quickly decomposed by bacteria. A pungent odor appears. Therefore, rarely changing pads is unhygienic.

Girls can also use tampons. They will not damage the hymen. For virgins, special tampons of minimal size are suitable.

Under the influence of estrogen, the hymen tissue softens and becomes slightly folded, so it does not interfere with the insertion of a tampon. Its use may be difficult only if there is an abnormal development of the hymen or vagina.

The tampon needs to be replaced every 3-4 hours, the maximum allowable time for its presence is 7-8 hours. If you change a dry tampon too often, mechanical irritation of the vagina will occur. Changing swollen tampons less frequently can cause infection and toxic shock.

In addition to hygiene, many girls are interested in the question of playing sports on menstruation days. There are no absolute contraindications to this. On the contrary, moderate physical exercise can reduce the severity of pain and keep the body in good shape.

In the first two days, when bleeding is most pronounced. You should not lift heavy objects or visit the bathhouse or sauna these days. Properly selected tampons will not interfere with swimming, dancing and training.

6. Sexual life and pregnancy

For some girls, the onset of sexual activity is between 14 and 16 years of age. Most likely, none of them wants to become a mother at this age, so you need to remember about contraception.

Don't forget about the possibility of pregnancy. Sometimes ovulation occurs not on days 12-14 of the cycle, but earlier. Sperm can remain viable for up to 3 days, so sex during menstruation can result in pregnancy.

Sex without a condom is dangerous. The cervix during menstruation does not protect against the penetration of bacteria into the body of the uterus and appendages. Inflammation that develops in these areas can cause infertility.

After the first menstruation, girls begin to truly grow up and become more responsible for their health. Therefore, if you have any questions or concerns, you should contact your gynecologist.

What is normal during menstruation, and why should you go to the doctor: Zozhnik has translated for you a text about facts that are important for at least half of our audience.

1. What are periods

Here's a simple explanation in your hands. The menstrual cycle is a natural mechanism that is configured to provide the body with the opportunity to become pregnant. In the middle of your menstrual cycle, an egg leaves the ovary and enters the fallopian tube, where it can hypothetically meet a brave team of sperm, one of which can fertilize the egg. If the egg is fertilized, it must travel through the fallopian tubes and attach to the surface of the uterus, where the embryo will develop.

At the same time, the body prepares for this possibility by secreting increased amounts of the hormone progesterone, which thickens and plumps the uterine lining in case a fertilized egg needs to attach to the uterine wall.

In the case when fertilization does not occur, progesterone levels drop and the body gets rid of the now unnecessary layers of the uterine mucosa - menstruation occurs.

2. If you're on hormonal birth control, your periods are fake.

If you take hormonal birth control, it signals your body to stop producing progesterone. Without this additional progesterone, your body does not create such abundant thickening of the lining of the uterus, accordingly, your periods are easier and not so abundant and ovulation in most cases does not occur at all - the doctor shares information Mary Jane Minkin, professor of gynecology and reproductive sciences at Yale University - Moreover, in this case there may not be periods at all - and this is normal.

Moreover, for girls with very painful periods or PMS, this method of contraception may be a solution.

3. Toxic shock syndrome is VERY rare, so doctors generally allow you to sleep with a tampon inside

However, experts still highly recommend not doing this. Toxic shock syndrome is very rare, but nevertheless very dangerous. It is associated with a potential bacterial infection and has been associated with the use of previous generations of super-absorbent tampons.

At the time of the maximum prevalence of this syndrome in the 1980s, there were 6-12 cases per 100,000 women of reproductive age. By 1986, this rate had dropped to 1 per 100,000 women. In addition, tampons have improved markedly over the past 30 years.

However, hypothetically, the syndrome can occur, so if you have a high fever, nausea and peeling skin, consult a doctor, Dr. Minkin advises, however, she adds that leaving a tampon on overnight is safe, just try to use less absorbent tampons.

4. Dark or brown blood during your period doesn't mean you're dying.

You shouldn't be scared. Rather, you should be afraid of the light scarlet color of the blood, which may indicate bleeding, and dark or brown blood indicates that it could simply linger a little in the vagina, the doctor comments Lauren Streicher, professor of gynecology at Northwestern University Medical School, USA.

5. If your period suddenly doesn't come at all, it doesn't always mean you're pregnant.

Although most often this is of course a sign of pregnancy, however, periods can disappear for several reasons: for example, a sudden change in weight, too low a percentage of body fat, extreme diets (we remind you, women:) or a number of different diseases, so if If you're worried, go see a doctor.

6. If you want to ease period pain, take painkillers BEFORE your period pain comes.

“Period pain is caused by prostaglandin substances that are released during menstruation, but taking medications such as ibuprofen can block the release of most prostaglandins. The mistake people make is that they think that they need to take as little medicine as possible and endure pain, there is no need to be a hero. If the pain is severe, start taking the pills the day before your period is expected." - Dr. Lauren Streicher.

7. PMS is not a joke, it's serious.

If you're not in the mood during your period, have acne, migraines, diarrhea, chronic fatigue, or anxiety, these could all be causes of hormonal changes during your period, says Dr. Minkin. Of course, if this happens at other times in the cycle, you can go to the doctor.

8. Menstruation doesn't mean you've ovulated.

In other words, having a period does not guarantee that a girl is fertile or that she ovulated that month. Therefore, if you have difficulties getting pregnant, it is better to consult a doctor and check whether ovulation is occurring.

9. What does regular and irregular cycle mean?

It is believed that the average duration of the menstrual cycle is 28 days, while from 23 to 30 days is also the norm if the duration of the cycle does not change. But if the length of the cycle varies from month to month - sometimes 25, sometimes 30 days - such a cycle is considered irregular, despite the fact that each individually fits into the norm. It could also be a sign that ovulation isn't happening, says Dr. Lauren Streicher.

If your periods are irregular all the time, this can lead to problems with conception in the future and a reason to go to the doctor.

10. Bleeding between periods is not a problem.

Some women experience light spotting mid-cycle, during ovulation, and may also occur, for example, when starting or changing hormonal birth control. If this happens rarely, there is no reason to worry, but if there are always blood stains, go to the doctor.

11. Menopause can occur early, for example, in the late thirties

On average, age-related changes in menstruation and the onset of menopause occur at age 51, but “pre-menopausal” changes in menstruation can happen much earlier: you can notice them even before the start of your thirties.

12. You may have bloody discharge even if you are pregnant.

“This is not menstruation, but blood discharge, which is noted by a third of women in the first months of pregnancy,” Dr. Minkin shares information. In some cases, the discharge is particularly heavy and can cause confusion for people.

But be careful: in this case, it is easy to “overlook” the threat of pregnancy, which often manifests itself precisely in the fact that it suddenly begins to “bleed” in the early stages - this is very serious and can lead to irreparable consequences. The best solution is to consult a doctor immediately.

13. Your genitals may be especially sensitive during your period.

Scientific research shows that pain receptors change slightly during your period, so it's normal to feel more sensitive there. If this happens to you, doctors do not recommend signing up for epilation of the bikini area before your period.

14. Clots in menstrual flow are normal.

“It just means you have heavy flow during your period, but it’s not a sign of any problems,” says Dr. Lauren Streicher.

15. But if you have to change your tampon and pad more than once every 2 hours, this could be a problem.

However, if the bleeding is super heavy, this is a cause for concern. The reasons for it may be hormonal imbalance, infection or polyps, says Dr. Minkin. Therefore, if you constantly and very profusely leak, go to your gynecologist.

How menstruation goes is a question that is important both for young girls whose cycle has not yet established itself, and for women who have encountered any problems in the functioning of the reproductive system.

The regularity and stability of the cycle indicate, first of all, the normal functioning of the body and the woman’s ability to fertilize and give birth to a baby. However, due to a number of factors, a malfunction occurs in the body and menstruation does not go as it should.

Knowing how many days menstruation should last, and what volume, a woman is able to promptly understand the onset of a malfunction. The individuality of each organism should not be excluded, however, there are certain norms regarding the nature of menstruation.

The duration is believed to be between three and seven days. During this period, a general deterioration in health and pain in the lower abdomen are considered natural.

If the discharge lasts less or more than the specified time, it makes sense to contact a gynecologist.

Long periods or, on the contrary, very short periods may indicate:

disruption of the normal hormonal balance in the body;
inflammatory or infectious processes in the organs of the reproductive system.

Calculation methods

The regularity of menstruation in women should be discussed by knowing the exact number of days in the cycle. You should understand what it is. Some people mistake it for the period between discharges. In reality, a cycle includes the total number of days from the first day of your period to the first day of your next period.

(Date of menstruation - date of previous menstruation) + additional one day = cycle duration

The norm is 28 days. However, a duration of 21 to 35 days is allowed; these are all normal options.

The duration of the female cycle can be influenced by:

fatigue and overwork;
stressful situations;
diets, weight loss or weight gain;
colds and exacerbation of chronic diseases;
moving to a different climate zone, etc.

To keep track of their own cycle, the doctor often recommends that girls keep a calendar and mark the dates of their periods in it. This method will allow you not only to monitor the condition of the body, but also to accurately indicate information to the gynecologist when visiting him.

How is your period normal?

How menstruation proceeds normally, how discharge should proceed correctly, every lady needs to know.

Doctors point to various options that are not a deviation:

On the first day, heavy menstruation contains dark blood clots. In subsequent days, the discharge becomes less abundant and disappears by days 5-7.
The beginning of menstruation is dark spotting, which becomes more abundant by the 3rd day. Then the intensity of menstruation decreases.
Change in discharge throughout 5-7 days. The discharge may be scanty at first and then abundant, and vice versa.

You can rely on these options if you are concerned about how your periods are going normally. But another course of menstruation can be completely natural.

How much should there be?

Menstrual flow is distinguished by volume, it can be:

normal;

It’s normal if up to 6-7 pieces of hygiene products are used per day. A larger number of pads used indicates excessive discharge, a smaller number of pads is an indicator of scanty periods.

Reasons for deviations

If a woman realizes that there is something wrong with her cycle, and the discharge is far from normal, she should go to the doctor and get examined.

A large amount of discharge that lasts more than a week may be a symptom of problems such as:

problems with blood clotting;
hormonal imbalance in the body;
the presence of other inflammatory or infectious diseases.

Poor menstruation may indicate the following problems:

disruption of the natural balance of hormones in the body;
improper functioning of the ovaries;
etc.

What to do if a failure occurs?

If your periods take a long time, the reason is not always the presence of a disease. There are often situations when menstruation occurs, or does not occur at all, but there is also no pregnancy. The cause of all these conditions must be found by a doctor and prescribed appropriate treatment.

There are types that require medical intervention:

Algomenorrhea. Often occurs in young girls. The duration of the cycle and discharge are usually normal, but on the days of menstruation severe pain occurs, which can be accompanied by nausea, vomiting and other disorders in the body.
Amenorrhea. This is a complete absence of menstruation. Is normal during pregnancy and after childbirth.
Metrorrhagia. Bloody discharge that appears in the middle of the cycle. The reason is often the presence of tumors in the uterus, such as fibroids. May appear after stress.
Dysmenorrhea. The onset of menstruation is much earlier or later than the due date. The reason is hormones or the influence of any external circumstances - stress, exams, flight.
Oligoamenorrhea. Rare and scanty menstruation, which can subsequently cause infertility in a woman.

Video about the menstrual cycle

Every woman and girl should know how menstruation goes. This is especially true for teenagers who are just expecting their first menstruation. Any deviation is a reason to consult a doctor. Only careful attention to your women's health will allow you to maintain excellent health and the opportunity to become a mother in the future.

How many days a woman’s menstruation lasts is influenced by many factors, including the physiological characteristics of the body and lifestyle. Significant deviations from the norm and instability of the menstrual cycle are symptoms of diseases of the reproductive system. Only a gynecological examination will help determine the cause of the disorders. You should not put off visiting a doctor in the hope that everything will get better on its own. An advanced disease is more difficult to treat, and its consequences can be serious.

Content:

Normal and pathological menstruation in women of reproductive age

The normal duration of menstrual bleeding should be 3-7 days. The body is weakened these days due to blood loss. The woman quickly gets tired and feels weak. A headache occurs. All these ailments are normal, they do not last long and disappear with the end of menstruation. Normal menstruation is characterized by the release of blood with a total volume of 50 to 80 ml.

In a healthy woman, the cycle length ranges from 21 days to 35 days. Moreover, menstruation occurs at approximately constant intervals with a maximum deviation of 2-4 days.

The presence of pathology in the body can be assumed in cases where menstruation lasts 2 days and less or more than 7 days, the volume of discharge is less than 40 ml or more than 80-100 ml. If spotting brown discharge appears before and after menstruation, increasing the number of critical days, this is also a violation.

A normal cycle should not be shorter than 21 days or longer than 35 days. Its beginning is considered the first day of menstruation.

Factors influencing the duration of menstruation

How long your period lasts depends on the following factors:

Heredity. For some, menstruation lasts 10 days or even more in the absence of any pathologies. This duration is typical for women of this family.
The presence of inflammatory and infectious diseases of the reproductive organs, benign neoplasms (fibroids, polyps, cysts), malignant tumors of the uterus and ovaries. With these diseases, the structure of the mucous membranes of organs is disrupted, damage to blood vessels and tissues occurs, as a result of which menstruation becomes more abundant and lasts longer.
Ovarian dysfunction. The cause of this condition can be both diseases of the genital organs and frequent abortions, the use of an intrauterine device, and uncontrolled use of hormonal drugs. With ovarian dysfunction due to insufficient production of sex hormones, menstruation lasts 2 days or less.
Deviations in the functioning of the thyroid, pancreas, pituitary gland, adrenal glands - organs responsible for the state of hormonal levels in the body.

In addition, the number of critical days is sharply reduced with intense physical activity (sports, weight lifting). Nervous stress, psychological trauma, and depression cause heavy menstrual bleeding that lasts for 10-14 days.

Fasting and vitamin deficiency lead to hormonal shifts, a reduction in the duration of menstruation or their complete cessation. Smoking, alcohol abuse, drug use, and exposure to an unfavorable environment lead to the same result.

Video: How long does a normal period last?

How long do teenage girls menstruate?

At the age of 12-15, girls experience their first menstruation. During this period, hormonal changes begin in the body associated with the maturation of the ovaries. The first menstruation comes irregularly, with delays of several months. This happens within 1-2 years. The volume of menstruation can fluctuate significantly.

It is difficult to say how many days teenage girls should menstruate until their character is finally established. Their duration can vary significantly, but gradually it returns to normal and is usually 3-5 days. After this, the girl needs to start a special calendar to mark the start and end day of her period.

If any deviations appear (menstruation does not come, ends too quickly, or, conversely, lasts longer than last time), there is no need to panic. There can be many reasons: overwork, dieting, sports overload, teenage mental imbalance, change of environment. Such violations will disappear after their cause is eliminated.

But if the disturbances are persistent, or menstruation is too painful, then you should definitely consult a doctor. Such symptoms indicate the presence of diseases of the reproductive organs and other body systems.

Video: Menstruation in girls and adult women

Menstruation during pregnancy

Once pregnant, most women's periods disappear, but sometimes they come at their usual time, which may cause the woman to not realize that she is pregnant. If menstruation came only during the first 30 days of pregnancy, this is explained by the fact that fertilization occurred at the very end of the menstrual cycle, when the endometrium had already partially exfoliated. Bloody discharge is scanty.

In rare cases, simultaneous maturation of eggs in both ovaries occurs. One of them is fertilized, and the second is brought out. In this case, slight bleeding occurs, which may look like scanty periods that last for 1-2 days.

If during pregnancy during the first 3-4 months menstruation is scanty and short in duration, this may be the result of an incomplete cessation of hormone production in the ovaries, which is explained by the physiological characteristics of the body. But in any case, you should not calm down, since most often the appearance of bloody discharge during pregnancy portends a miscarriage or indicates endocrine disorders in the body.

Warning: If any bleeding occurs, a pregnant woman should immediately consult a doctor. You may need to be hospitalized for several days to maintain the pregnancy.

How long do you miss your period after childbirth?

The timing of the first menstruation after childbirth depends on the nature of its course and general health. If a woman is breastfeeding, she does not have periods during the entire period of lactation. If for some reason the child is transferred to artificial feeding immediately after birth, then the woman’s period begins after about 12 weeks.

In the absence of complications, most often the menstrual cycle becomes more stable. If earlier your periods were too heavy and long, then after childbirth the indicators are close to normal. Menstruation becomes painless and less intense. This is due to a change in the position of the uterus, improving the outflow of blood from it. How long your period lasts depends on the nature of the hormonal changes that have occurred. They usually last from 3 to 5 days.

How many days does menstruation last during menopause?

Menopause (complete cessation of menstruation) occurs in women at approximately 48-50 years of age. After 40 years, the production of sex hormones in the ovaries begins to gradually decline, and the supply of eggs is depleted. Ovulation does not occur in every cycle. All this is reflected in the nature of menstruation. They come irregularly, the duration changes with each cycle. After heavy bleeding that does not stop for 8 days, there may be a long pause (2 months or more), followed by scanty spotting brown periods that disappear after 2 days. Then they stop altogether.

Addition: If spotting was absent for 1 year and then reappeared, it is no longer menstruation. Bleeding of any duration and intensity during the postmenopausal period is a sign of hormonal imbalance, endocrine diseases, or the occurrence of tumors of the uterus or ovaries. It is necessary to urgently contact medical specialists (gynecologist, endocrinologist, oncologist) to identify the pathology.

Menstruation while using oral contraceptives

Birth control pills contain female sex hormones, estrogens and progesterone. Their action is aimed at suppressing ovulation by changing their natural ratio in the body. Within 1-3 months after starting to take the pills, the body adapts to the new hormonal levels. In this case, the nature of menstruation may change compared to usual. How many days menstruation lasts in this case and what its intensity depends on the chosen remedy. They can become abundant and long-lasting, or, on the contrary, they can be scanty and short-lived.

If after 3 months the nature of menstruation does not return to normal, you should consult a gynecologist. You may need to choose a different drug.