Alright - a new FAQ! I included some information found on the internet about menstruation - otherwise known as a period, otherwise known as *&^%*%^$(*&^(^(!
Enjoy, and don't hesitate to ask questions if you got 'em!
<b>What happens during menstruation?</b>
Menstruation is a woman's monthly bleeding. It is also called menses, menstrual period, or period. When a woman has her period, she is menstruating. The menstrual blood is partly blood and partly tissue from the inside of the uterus. It flows from the uterus through the small opening in the cervix, and passes out of the body through the vagina. Most menstrual periods last from 3 to 5 days.
In the first half of the menstrual cycle, levels of estrogen rise and make the lining of the uterus grow and thicken. In response to follicle-stimulating hormones, an egg in one of the ovaries starts to mature. At about day 14 of a typical 28-day cycle, in response to a surge of luteinizing hormone, the egg leaves the ovary. This is called ovulation.
In the second half of the menstrual cycle, the egg begins to travel through the fallopian tube to the uterus. Progesterone levels rise and help prepare the uterine lining for pregnancy.
If the egg becomes fertilized by a sperm cell and attaches itself to the uterine wall, the woman becomes pregnant. If the egg is not fertilized, it either dissolves or is absorbed into the body. If pregnancy does not occur, estrogen and progesterone levels drop, and the thickened lining of the uterus is shed during the menstrual period.
<b>Cramps! They’re so bad!</b>
Now, not everyone has cramps (my dumb, lucky sister doesn’t get cramps at ALL). Not everyones are horribly bad. But, sometimes they’re bad. Sometimes, they’re REALLY bad. Sometimes, they’re so bad, you can be ill. Read on…
<b>What Are Painful Periods or Dysmenorrhea?</b>
This condition refers to the pain or discomfort associated with menstruation. Although not a serious medical problem, it is usually meant to describe a woman with menstrual symptoms severe enough to keep her from functioning for a day or two each month. Many teens don't suffer from dysmenorrhea, as their uterus is still growing, and yet they may get it several years after their first period begins. Symptoms may begin one to two days before menses, peak on the first day of flow, and subside during that day or over several days.
The pain is typically described as dull, aching, cramping and often radiates to the lower back. The pain from your period that is severe enough to be given this name by your health care provider is thought to be the result of uterine contractions, caused by prostaglandins (a hormone-like substance, normally found in your body). Prostaglandins are known to stimulate uterine contractions. In addition to pain other symptoms may include, headache, diarrhea, constipation, and urinary frequency and fainting.
<b>How Can I Get Relief?</b>
There are many over-the-counter drugs or NSAIDs -- (ibuprofen, naproxen, advil) and acetaminophen, or Tylenol that may provide relief. A heating pad works well for cramps when used with OTC pain meds. Some women benefit from exercise; some from rest. There are also prescription drugs to help alleviate this painful disorder. Talk to your health care provider about them. Before you diagnose yourself, see your health care provider to be sure the pain you are having is not associated with another condition like PID, Endometriosis or any other medical conditions
<b>Irregular Periods</b>
It can take up to 2 years from a girl's first period for her body to develop a regular cycle. During that time, the body is essentially adjusting to the influx of hormones unleashed by puberty. And what's "regular" varies from person to person. The typical cycle of an adult female is 28 days, although some are as short as 22 days and others are as long as 45.
Changing hormone levels might make a girl's period short 1 month (just a few days) and long the next (up to a week). She can skip months, get two periods almost right after each other, or alternate between heavy and light bleeding from 1 month to another.
But any girl who's sexually active and skips a period should see a doctor to make sure she's not pregnant. And if your daughter's period still hasn't settled into a relatively predictable pattern after 3 years, or if she has four or five regular periods and then skips her period for a couple of months, make an appointment with her doctor to check for possible problems.
<b>If a teenage girl gets her period twice in one month what does that mean? is it even possible?</b>
If one of the bleeding episodes is extra bleeding rather than a menses. It may be due to ovulation. Also if something happens to the corpus luteum gland on the ovary in the second half of the cycle, this may induce extra bleeding. Usually if the extra bleeding does not occur more than two months in a row, You don't need to have it investigated.
<b>Frequently Asked Questions About…Your Period!</b>
<b>Everything You’ve Ever Wanted To Know, And Some Things You Don’t!</b>
<b>1. How Do You Dance With Your Period?</b>
Umm…how did you dance before?
While many girls swear by a simple tampon (test the different brands, to see which one is right for you. And always use the lowest needed absorbency.), many girls still stick with the pads.
With a pad, this is the trick – wear a thin pad. Get an ultra thin pad – you can get them so thin, you almost don’t notice them. With pads, and dancing, the higher the absorbency, the better it is…wear a pad, and a black leo. If you are allowed to wear a skirt, wear a black one. You’ll be just fine.
<b>2. I Might Be Getting My Period Soon, And I’m Scared To Tell My Mom! Help!</b>
This one is a big problem, and one I went through personally. I didn’t want to tell my mom…I didn’t think it was any of her business!
Trust me…you’ll want to tell your mom. It’s embarrassing – some moms will hug you. Some moms will cry. Some moms will reveal the secrets of where they put the tampons in the cabinet.
Fortunately, or unfortunately, my mom did all three!
Your mom needs to know. If you can screw up enough courage to tell her yourself, write her a note.
Or, get your crazy little brother to do it. They’ll do almost anything!
<b>3. I’m Scared Of An Accident At School! What Do I Do?</b>
Observe your period.
Learn when you’re the heaviest, the lightest. Learn the worst days for cramps. Learn the pain relievers that work the best for you. Most importantly, learn to pack a pad or tampon in your bag! Pack extras when it’s that time!
<b>4. Ok, I’m In High School, And I Don’t Have My Period Yet. Help!</b>
Well, first, your kind of lucky. The cramps. The pads. The tampons. The Ickiness. Trust me when I say that your not really missing anything.
But, I know that isn’t what you wanted to hear.
Talk to your mom. When did she start? You should start around the same time.
However, if you are underweight, or even overweight, your period will be the first thing to be affected. If your in poor health, your period may be delayed. There is any number of things.
If you are a certain age, and you don’t have your period, and your mom already had hers by the time she was your age, hit the doctor. Even if there’s nothing wrong, he or she will clear it all up for you.
<b>5. Ok, I’ve Got My Period. I’m Invited To A Sleepover. I’m Feeling Really Weird About This! What Do I Do?</b>
Well, don’t some of the girls that are going to be there with you have their periods? Just take your choice of protection (pad or tampon) with you to the party. Make sure you have enough in case an accident happens (if you think you’ll need two, bring 4). Get a cute little makeup bag or change purse for them.
When you need to go to the bathroom, quietly excuse yourself, grab your makeup bag, and head for the bathroom. Even if anyone notices, they won’t say anything. Especially if they’ve been there.
<b>6. Sometimes, It Seems Like I Can’t Sleep While I’m On My Period. Does Anyone Have Any Suggestions?</b>
It could be any number of things:
Worry over leaking from your pad or tampon could be keeping you awake. If you wear a tampon at night, use a small pantyliner, or pad, in addition.
If you wear a pad, get a pad with wings, or side protection. This will help.
It could also be cramps. About one hour before you go to bed, take two Advil, or your chosen pain reliever.
<b>7. Can You Have Sex On Your Period?</b>
You can.
Some people do not care for it. Of course, there may be some blood, and many people, both males and females find that to be a turnoff.
Remember, of course, that you can still transmit sexually transmitted diseases, and you can also get pregnant, even while on your period. So always, always use protection.
<b>8. This Is Only My First (Second, Third…) Period, And It’s Really Heavy! Help!</b>
At first, while your period is still sorting itself out, it may be very heavy. Your period might then become lighter after time; and may actually become days shorter. It’s perfectly normal.
Use a heating pad if you need one, and learn what pain relievers work for you!
<b>9. What Are Some Signs That You Are About To Get Your Period?</b>
This varies for every person.
Some find that their discharge darkens. Some find that they actually begin cramping before their periods start.
Some notice a sudden blemish on their faces. Some experience sore breasts, some experience weight gain. For weight gain, anywhere from 2 to 10 pounds is average, and the weight is lost after the period is over.
<b>10. When You Have A Leak, What To You Do?</b>
First, don’t panic!
Second, closely examine your underwear, and outer clothing. If the leak is small, and there is no blood visible on your clothing, simply change your underwear, apply a fresh pad, or insert a fresh tampon, and your good to go!
If the leak is larger, and there is visible blood on your clothing, again, simply change your underwear and pants, clean up as best you can, insert a fresh tampon or apply a fresh pad, and your good to go!
If your not in a situation to change your clothes, then this is where it gets tricky…hope that a friend has a jacket or sweatshirt with them, or hope that you have one with you yourself. Tie that around your waist, and get to a situation where you can change your clothes as quickly as possible. Apply a fresh pad, or insert a fresh tampon, and your all set!
<b>11. I First Started My Period Over A Year Ago, And I’m Still Irregular – I Get It Once Every Two To Three Months. Is That Normal?</b>
Strangely, yes.
Some people’s periods never actually get regular. Some people have problems with ovulating, and do not do it regularly. Regular ovulation is essential to having a regular period.
Also, if anything has changed in your life – if your eating more or less then normal. If your more stressed then normal, less stressed then normal. If you’ve gained or lost weight, your period is going to be the first thing to be thrown off, every single time.
If your concerned, as always, head to your doctor. He or she will most likely give you a physical, and put you on the pill to regulate your periods.
<b>12. OB Tampons Come With No Applicator. Are They Hard To Put In?</b>
Just like with most other products, this is going to depend on who you ask.
Some people swear by them. They swear that they’re easier to put in, comfortable, small and discreet.
Some people hate them. They swear that they’re harder to put in, uncomfortable, the whole bit.
The only way to find out is to try them for yourself!
<b>13. What About The “Instead” Cup? Has Anyone Tried Them? Do They Work?</b>
Again, this is going to vary by the person.
Some people will love them, and swear that they’re the greatest things ever.
Some people will hate them.
The only way to find out for sure is to try them for yourself!
<b>14. Do You Gain Weight During Your Period?</b>
Yes. It’s completely normal, and happens to a lot of people!
The weight that you gain is retained water. The average is anywhere from two to TEN pounds, and it’s more than normal.
Also, it goes away after your period goes away.
<b>15. How Do You Decide Which Brand Of Tampons You Like Best?</b>
You’ll have to just try them!
Before you buy, don’t buy the “Super Pack”! Buy just a small pack, and try them out. If you like them, the store will always have more!
<b>16. How Come I Start My Period Right Before A Dance Competition?</b>
It’s the stress of the situation! That’s it!
When anything changes for you – if your stressed, if your eating different, if anything happens at all, your period is the first thing to be affected. Sometimes it comes late, sometimes it doesn’t come at all!
(Oh, don’t we all wish it “didn’t come at all” a little more often?)
What can you do? Get your protection of choice, wear dark underwear if you can do it, and hope for the best!
<b>17. So, Alright. I Have PMS, But No Period! What The Heck?</b>
Unfortunatly, this may just be part of the period curse. I don’t know of any medical reasons why it would happen, but it sounds just strange enough to be true!
<b>18. My Period Has Always Been Fairly Regular. All The Sudden, I Get It A Week And A Half…Early! Is That Normal?</b>
When anything changes for you – if your stressed, if your eating different, if anything happens at all, your period is the first thing to be affected. Sometimes it comes late, sometimes it doesn’t come at all!
<b>19. Ok, so I can have sex on my period. But, I can't get pregnant, right?</b>
There is no absolute yes, or absolute no answer to this question.
You can get pregnant any day of the month. There are certainly days where it's less likely to happen, and days where it's more likely to happen - it's the most likely to happen on the day that you ovulate.
When is that day? It's hard to say - the widely held opinion is that that day is 14 days before your period is due to start, although a growing number of people in the medical profession will tell you that THAT isn't even for certain anymore.
There is also a method of family planning, called the Rhythm Method, where you chart your bodies rhythms and temperature, in order to establish the date of your ovulation, so you know which days your the most fertile. However, the Rhythm Method can prove to be a quite involved method of family planning to use, particularly if you have other things in life (like school or dance, for example) that are pulling away your focus.
In short - there's no guarentee that you WILL get pregnant if you have sex on your period, but there's also no guarentee that you WON'T. So, as always - protection, protection, protection!
Hope you enjoy the new and updated version of the FAQ!
Theresa
<b>Sources</b>
www.brown.edu
www.coolnurse.com
kidshealth.org
www.wdxcyber.com
