Obstetrics and gynecology Menstruation (menstruation)

Menstruation (menstruation)

What is menstruation

Period or menstruation , this is the appearance of bloody discharge in women in a certain period of time once a month. During menstruation, the inner layer of the uterus is shed. Menstrual blood exits the uterine cavity through the cervical canal and then enters the vagina. Usually menstruation lasts from 3 to 5 days.

What is the monthly (menstrual) cycle?

When menstruation occurs regularly at regular intervals, it is called a menstrual cycle. A normal monthly cycle is a sign that a woman's body is working normally. The monthly cycle is provided by the development of special chemical substances called hormones. Hormones prepare a woman's body regularly every month for fertilization and pregnancy. The menstrual cycle is counted from the first day of the last period to the first day of the following months. Average duration menstrual cycle is 28 days. It can range from 21 to 35 days in adult women and 21 to 45 days in adolescents. Cycle length is regulated by the rise and fall of hormone levels during the cycle.

What processes occur during the menstrual cycle

In the first half of the cycle, estrogen levels rise. Estorgens are female sex hormones that play important role in women's health. First of all, under the influence of estrogen, they become stronger than the bones. Estrogens keep bones strong until old age. Estrogens also cause growth and thickening inner shell uterus - endometrium. The endometrium is that part of the uterus that initially serves as a medium for the implantation of the embryo and provides nourishment to the embryo during pregnancy. At the same time, along with the growth of the endometrium, a follicle grows in the ovary - a bubble, inside which the egg is contained. Approximately in the middle of the cycle, on day 14, the egg leaves the follicle. This process is called ovulation. After the egg has left the ovary, it passes through fallopian tube into the uterine cavity. High level hormones at this time provides optimal conditions for embryo implantation. The highest chance of getting pregnant starts 3 days before ovulation and ends on the day of ovulation. If the egg meets the sperm during this period, pregnancy occurs. If the meeting with the sperm does not occur, the egg dies, the level of hormones drops, the inner layer of the uterus begins to be rejected. This is how new periods start.

What happens during menstruation

During menstruation, the inner layer of the uterus is shed through the canal of the cervix and vagina. This is accompanied by bleeding. With the help of blood flow, the remnants of the inner layer of the uterus are washed away and removed from the body. The amount of bloody discharge from the vagina can vary from period to period. The duration of vaginal bleeding may vary from cycle to cycle. On average, it is from 3 to 5 days, but the interval from 2 to 7 days is considered the norm. During the first few years from the onset of menstruation, periods are usually longer than in middle age. The usual cycle length is 21 to 35 days.

What problems can occur during menstruation

Many violations developing during menstruation are described. The most common are:

At what age should the first menstruation occur?

Average age the beginning of the first menstruation- 12 years. This does not mean that menstruation should begin during this period. The first menstruation can begin between the ages of 8 and 15. Before menstruation begins, the breasts grow. As a rule, the onset of the first menstruation occurs within 2 years after the onset of development of the mammary glands. If after 15 years menstruation does not appear or they do not occur 2-3 years after the start of breast growth, you should see a doctor.

early menstruation

If menstruation begins on time earlier than 21 from the beginning of the last menstruation, they are called early. The reason for early menstruation may be the insufficiency of the second phase. The insufficiency of the second phase occurs when the formation of the corpus luteum is disturbed or its premature extinction. During the second phase of the cycle corpus luteum produces progesterone. Progesterone is a female sex hormone, under the influence of which the endometrium that has grown in the first phase enters the secretion stage, which is the most favorable for embryo implantation. If progesterone is low, its falling level triggers early periods.

Menstruation in girls

If a girl's period occurs earlier than 8 years, this is a sign of precocious puberty. The reasons are in violation of the hormonal regulation of puberty. If this situation arises, please contact pediatric endocrinologist, which will assign the complex necessary analyzes and will select a treatment aimed at normal sexual development. Menstruation in girls is characterized by an unstable cycle. As a rule, this cycle can reach 45 days, which is considered completely normal for the period of establishment of menstruation in girls. Also, menstruation in girls often causes pain.

Scanty periods

Scanty periods last less than two days. Bloody issues have a brown tint. Such brown periods appear due to the fact that the process of separating the remnants of the endometrium is very slow and the blood has time to clot, which causes such a color. Scanty periods are also characterized by slight discharge. Such periods may indicate a violation of the second phase of the cycle and insufficient thickness of the endometrium. In women with meager periods, pregnancy is problematic, since most often the existing violation is associated with a deficiency of progesterone, which contributes to the implantation of the embryo.

Abundant periods

Abundant periods last more than 7 days and at the same time there is a need for frequent change of pads. Changing pads frequently means changing them every 2 hours or more. Abundant periods occur due to the fact that in the uterine cavity there is a thickened inner layer - the endometrium. At the onset of menstruation, the endometrium cannot exfoliate quickly. Partial peeling delays the process of menstruation and causes more profuse bleeding. Often the cause of heavy periods can be uterine fibroids or uterine polyps. Blood clotting disorders also increase the intensity of menstruation.

Menstruation after childbirth

Menstruation after childbirth in a woman who is breastfeeding, as a rule, does not go. This is due to the fact that the hormone prolactin, which is produced in the body of a nursing woman in large quantities, inhibits the production of hormones that trigger menstruation. However, with a lack of prolactin, for example with irregular breastfeeding, monthly can go.

How long does a woman's period of regular menstruation last?

Women have periods until menopause. Menopause occurs between the ages of 45 and 55. The average age of menopause is 50 years. Menopause characterizes the period when a woman loses the opportunity to become pregnant, her periods disappear and eggs do not mature. Menopause is not established immediately. For some women, it takes several years to establish. This is the so-called transient menopause. It can last from 2 to 8 years. For some women, menopause may occur more quickly. early age due to illness, chemotherapy, or surgical operations. If a woman has not had her period for more than 90 days, a doctor should be consulted to rule out pregnancy, early menopause, and other conditions.

In what cases should you consult a doctor in case of violation of menstruation?

• If menstruation did not start after 15 years
• If there is no period 3 years after the start of breast growth, or if the breast has not begun to grow by the age of 13.
• If there is no menstruation for more than 90 days
• If, after a period of a stable cycle, menstruation began to occur irregularly
• If you have periods more than once every 21 days or less than once every 35 days
• If bleeding continues for more than 7 days
• If the intensity of bleeding is higher than usual or you have to use 1 pad every 1-2 hours.
• If there is vaginal bleeding during the intermenstrual period
• If there is severe pain during menstruation
• If after using pads suddenly appeared heat

How often should you change your tampon or pad during your period?

It is necessary to change the tampon or pad at least once every 4-8 hours. Always use the least absorbent tampon or pad. Absorption is the ability to retain blood. The higher the degree of absorption, the more blood can accumulate in the pad or tampon. Using tampons and pads a high degree absorption can cause the development of toxic shock syndrome. Toxic shock develops due to the absorption into the blood of the waste products of bacteria that colonize a pad or tampon soaked in menstrual flow. Although this syndrome is rare, it can have deadly consequences. It is safer to use a pad rather than a tampon.

If you experience any of the following symptoms, remove your tampon or pad and visit your doctor:

• Sudden increase in body temperature
• Muscle pain
• Diarrhea
• Vomit
• Nausea
• Rash on body similar to sunburn
• Eye redness
• Throat discomfort

What to do if periods are missing

Missing periods could be a sign of pregnancy. To confirm, you need to do a pregnancy test. If the test is positive, you need to see a doctor for a uterine ultrasound to make sure that the embryo is in the uterine cavity. If menstruation is gone and the pregnancy test is negative, you should consult an obstetrician-gynecologist. There can be a lot of reasons and the doctor will help you choose exactly those tests and examination methods that will establish the cause.

Is it possible to get pregnant during menstruation

Many people think that it is impossible to get pregnant during menstruation. However, it is not. The fact is that in order to become pregnant, ovulation is necessary. Ovulation (the release of the egg from the follicle) usually occurs in the middle of the cycle, but may be on the tenth day monthly cycle. Given that normal duration menstruation can be up to 7 days, fertilization can occur if there was sexual contact on the seventh (last) day of menstruation. The lifespan of spermatozoa can reach 72 hours, that is, 3 days. That is, on day 10, the egg has a chance to be fertilized. Usually spermatozoa carrying X chromosomes live this long, that is, as a result of such fertilization, the child will have a female gender.

Is it possible to get pregnant immediately after menstruation

You can get pregnant immediately after your period if your period lasts a long time and ovulation occurs within 72 hours by the end of your period. Early ovulation and prolonged periods can periodically occur in quite healthy women. Of course, the probability of getting pregnant immediately after menstruation is small, but it should be taken into account for those couples who do not plan to have children and do not follow a certain lifestyle (drink alcohol, smoke, take medication).

Is it possible to have sex during menstruation

During menstruation, the cervical canal opens and torn fragments of the endometrium accumulate in the vaginal cavity, which serve as a breeding ground for conditionally pathogenic bacteria. The mucous plug of the cervical canal, which serves as a barrier to the penetration of infections into the uterine cavity, is absent during menstruation. If a woman has STDs that are latent, latent form, during menstruation they can become more active. Thus, on the one hand, sex during menstruation can endanger the health of a man who is at risk of getting a non-specific infection or STD. On the other hand, for a woman, sex during menstruation is dangerous because at this time the natural defenses are reduced and there is a higher risk of contracting sexually transmitted diseases.

Discharge after menstruation

Vaginal discharge after menstruation may be bloody. If vaginal bleeding occurs, then a piece of tissue could remain in the uterine cavity that has not completely separated. Such incomplete separation can occur in small portions over a long period. As a rule, discharge after menstruation occurs with endometrial polyps and other processes accompanied by nervous thickening of the endometrium. Sometimes discharge after menstruation can be due to hormonal disorders.

Discharge before menstruation

As a rule, discharge before menstruation can occur if a woman has inflammatory disease, which worsens before the onset of menstruation. Many chronic diseases genitourinary system, especially such as chlamydia, trichomoniasis, mycoplasmosis and ureaplasmosis, can worsen before menstruation. One of the signs of exacerbation is the presence of vaginal discharge.

How to induce menstruation if they are absent for a long time or the cycle is irregular?

The absence of menstruation or their irregularity can occur for many reasons. Often the reason for the lack of menstruation can be polycystic ovaries. In order to cause menstruation, you must first determine the reason for their absence. In some cases, it is enough to adjust the diet and apply rational physical exercise for menstruation to resume. In other cases, you need to adjust hormonal background or even resort to surgical treatment. This question is so complex and takes into account so many individual characteristics that it is necessary to consult a good specialist.

in obstetrics and gynecology, we work in such areas as:

• Vaginal discharge in women, discharge during pregnancy

Today you will learn about how menstruation goes, how long they should last and about the quality of blood. The arrival of menstruation for a girl can be a real shock if you do not discuss this topic with her in advance. This completely natural process should not cause disgust or discomfort in the girl. About how menstruation begins for the first time, how to carry out care procedures and much more, you need to tell the future woman in advance, overcoming all the inconvenience and discomfort during the conversation.

Puberty

Girls given period called puberty. The first menstruation in girls begins already in the middle of this cycle. What happens to the girl at this point in her life? There is a process of transformation from a girl into a mature woman who is able to continue her race. Menstruation in girls and they say that the reproductive function is running, now there is a chance of pregnancy with unprotected intercourse.

How this process starts:

• the brain sends a signal to the ovaries at the right time;
• the latter respond to it with the production of hormones;
• hormones start the process of forming the girl's body.

It is important to note that there are both visible changes and not. At the time of puberty, the following changes occur:

• the girl begins to grow;
• brain enlarges;
• there is an expansion of the hip bones;
• mammary glands are formed;
• reproductive organs grow and actively develop;
• there are changes in nervous system and much more.

Menstruation occurs approximately one year after the onset of puberty in a girl. The first menstruation is called "menarche". This suggests that the ovaries have begun to function, and now they are able to produce hormones. It is now that ovulation occurs and the probability of pregnancy is high.

The first menstruation should normally begin between the ages of twelve and fifteen. There are cases when they start much earlier or later. It is important to know that there are many factors that affect the time of the onset of the first menstruation:

• hereditary information;
• degree of physical development;
• nervous system;
• there is an influence of lifestyle;
• social environment;
• knowledge about and intersexual relations;
• health status.

Early menstruation occurs between the ages of 8 and 10, and late periods between the ages of 15 and over. The latter option occurs quite often in children who were sick a lot and took medications a long period of time. Quite often, hormonal disruptions and improper development of the reproductive organs are considered the cause of deviations from the norm.

Cycle duration

The girl just needs to be told how the periods go, how long they last, possible problems and how to take care of yourself during this period. It is very important to acquaint her with the concept of the duration of the menstrual cycle and teach her how to use the calendar so as not to get into a "leakage".

And so, how should the monthly pass? It is important to know that this question is purely individual, because each organism is special. If there are no health problems, then the cycle should be stable. However, it takes a little time to stabilize the menstrual cycle.

What is the menstrual kind, the reconfiguration of the body. This process involves:

• vagina;
• uterus;
• ovaries.

It is important for a girl to know that menstruation is a natural process that occurs when hormones are produced by the ovaries. This bleeding from the genital tract should not frighten or cause discomfort. A cycle is the period of time between the first day of one period and the first day of another. Although the ideal cycle is lunar (28 days), the norm is from 10 to 45 days. If you notice a deviation from these norms, or for a long time the cycle has not been established, then you need to consult a gynecologist, because the problem may be a violation of ovarian function.

Control (calendar method)

We figured out what menstruation means. Once again, these are monthly bleeding from the vagina of every woman. When a girl has her period, she should be taught to mark these days on the calendar. Why is this needed? Of course, the calendar tracking method helps to determine the length of the cycle and the duration of menstrual flow.

In addition, the calendar method is a contraceptive. Thanks to the calendar, you can avoid unwanted pregnancy, as it is possible to calculate the approximate day of ovulation. It is worth noting that this method should be combined with others, because there is a low probability of unwanted pregnancy even on days that are unfavorable for conception.

Personal hygiene

While menstruation passes, it is necessary to observe more carefully. This will help to avoid discomfort, both for the girl and for others.

Everyone knows that the secreted blood has a specific smell. You can get rid of it very simply by following some rules.

What is the discharge during menstruation? This is mostly the top layer of the endometrium. The endometrium lines the walls of the uterus from the inside. It is important to know that over time this layer needs to be changed. As a result, menstruation occurs. During the "cleansing" of the uterus, its cervix expands so that unnecessary parts can come out without any obstacles. The dilated cervix is ideal condition for bacteria to enter the uterus. They may be contained on a pad or tampon that long time didn't change.

For elimination bad smell and obstacles to the entry of bacteria, it is worth listening to some hygiene rules:

• change your pad or tampon every three hours;
• if possible, take a shower before changing the protective equipment;
• if the last point is impossible to implement, then it will be enough to wash or wipe with a damp cloth;
• when washing, first of all, you need to clean the perineum and only then anus(this will be an obstacle for microbes from the rectum to enter the vagina);
• you can not take a bath and go to the bath.

The last point is mandatory, because the water in the bath is not sterile, therefore, bacteria and germs can enter the vagina. Besides, hot water and heat contribute to the rush of blood to the small pelvis and the expansion of the cervix, which makes it easier for bacteria to pass into the uterus.

How many are monthly?

And so, how do normal periods go? Let's start with the fact that menarche, that is, the first menstruation, does not last long, only a couple of days. In this case, there is practically no blood (just a couple of drops), as a rule, this is a “daub”. The normal cycle will be established only after a year and a half.

Please note that the established cycle should not go astray throughout the entire childbearing period of a woman's life. This is very important, if there are deviations, then it is better to visit a gynecologist.

How long do periods last? 10 days, 7 or 2 - these are all within the normal range. For some, they pass quickly enough, but there are cases when menstruation lasts up to ten days. Do not worry about this, because each organism is individual. Below are some norms regarding menstruation, if you do not have any deviations from them, then consider that you are completely healthy:

• The cycle should be in the range from twenty to thirty-five days. The "lunar cycle" is common and, according to gynecologists, the most successful (28 days).
• On average, in women, the duration of menstruation is five days, but the norm is a period of two to ten days.
• The intensity of bleeding should decrease by the last day of menstruation.
• It is rather difficult to determine, but, nevertheless, there is a norm of lost blood. Be sure to pay attention to the intensity of the discharge, for the entire cycle you should not lose more than 60 milliliters of blood. This amount is optimal, the woman does not feel any discomfort or discomfort, because the loss is quickly restored by the body.

Amount of blood

The amount of bleeding during menstruation depends on many factors:

• the presence of an intrauterine device as a means of contraception increases the volume of blood and the duration of critical days;
• taking contraceptives hormonal drugs able to reduce blood volume, as well as reduce or increase the number of "red days";
• hormonal background;
• existing diseases;
• heredity;
• body type;
• external factors (climate, social environment, and so on);
• food quality;
• state of the nervous system;
• age;
• in women who have given birth, the amount of blood during menstruation increases significantly;

At the same time, the color of menstruation can also say a lot. We will talk about this in the next section of the article. Please note that the volume of blood lost should not exceed 60 milliliters for the entire cycle. If you go beyond this range, contact your gynecologist, he may prescribe special preparation from bleeding during menstruation.

Quality of blood released during menstruation

The color of menstruation can tell about any disorders and diseases that take place in the female body. Please note that the color, volume and nature of the discharge can change in a woman many times in her life. Many factors influence this process.

What do scanty dark periods mean? As a rule, these are only their harbingers. brown discharge before menstruation are considered the norm, and you should not worry about this. Dark periods also occur after abortions and miscarriages, long-term use of hormonal contraceptives.

The first menstruation should be a bright scarlet color, their number should be minimal. Please note that if menstruation of this nature appeared after the establishment of the cycle (that is, this is not the first menstruation), then perhaps this is endometriosis, which, of course, needs to be treated with hormonal drugs.

Brown or black discharge three days before menstruation or earlier can also indicate the presence of endometriosis disease or an ectopic pregnancy, which poses a serious threat to a woman's life. Take a pregnancy test and immediately go to the gynecologist.

Pain during menstruation

Some girls note that the first day of menstruation is very difficult to tolerate, as it is accompanied by severe pain. As sad as it may be, there are many such cases. Consult a gynecologist for advice, and he will help you relieve these sensations with the help of drugs. Worrying about this issue is completely pointless, it is quite normal condition girls during menstruation. Many women claim that after the birth of a child they were able to get rid of this symptom.

PMS

With the question of how the monthly passes, we figured it out. Now let's take a very brief look at the concept of PMS. This is premenstrual syndrome, which manifests itself differently in everyone. The most common symptoms:

• irritability;
• aggression;
• headache;
• nausea;
• elevated temperature;
• chills;
• decreased attention and memory;
• breast swelling and more.

Sex during menstruation

With intimate life better to wait a bit. Why:

• from an aesthetic point of view, it is disgusting;
• during menstruation, there is a high probability of “catching” the disease, because the cervix is ​​​​open;
• the likelihood of developing diseases is possible - endometriosis, algomenorrhea;
• many believe that it is impossible to get pregnant during menstruation, but this is not the case (not one, but two eggs can mature; early ovulation may come, and sperm cells live in the woman's vagina for up to eleven days);
• blood is a very poor lubricant during intercourse, because the latter is much thicker than blood;
• this can push your partner away.

Menstruation during pregnancy

If you notice spotting while expecting a baby, then you should immediately go to your doctor. This may indicate some pathologies of pregnancy or the possibility of a miscarriage. However, there are cases when a girl has menstruation during pregnancy. In any case, the presence of spotting during pregnancy is a deviation from the norm.

Menstruation and menopause

At this time, the woman is "reconfiguring" the body, now it will serve only you. It's not that bad. During this period of time, there may be severe disruptions with the menstrual cycle (menstruation comes twice a month, blood is replaced meager secretions etc). It's quite normal. Be sure to learn to distinguish menopause from pregnancy, because the absence of menstruation occurs in both cases. Menopause has a number of symptoms: dryness in the vagina, frequent headaches, prolonged depression, profuse night sweats, and many others.

How long menstruation lasts normally is a topic that is important for every woman. This is a natural physiological process faced by the fair sex. And if everything is in order with the cycle, menstruation comes on time, it is believed that the development female body normal, and a woman is able to conceive and bear a baby.

One of the problems at work reproductive system is an . This can happen according to various reasons. Of course, with problems with menstruation, you need to make a visit to the doctor. But before that, it is worth finding out what is the norm and what is pathology.

If a woman knows about the norms of the menstrual cycle, then she will be able to understand in a timely manner that there are problems in the work of her body. The factor of individuality should also be taken into account, because how many days menstruation lasts depends on the particular organism.

It is believed that menstruation should go for at least 3 days and no more than 7. This period is characterized by the following symptoms, in addition to spotting:

• general weakness and increased fatigue;
• pulling character;
• decrease in performance.

If a critical days match this description, then everything is normal.

Menstrual days are also different for everyone. But the following options can be distinguished:

1. from the first day, the discharge contains blood clots. Gradually, every day the volume of menstruation decreases and by about the 5th or 7th day, the discharge stops.
2. The beginning of menstruation is a dark-colored daub, rather meager in volume. Further, the discharge becomes more intense, the peak falls in the middle of the critical days.
3. Allocations are different throughout the period. They can be at the beginning, and then increase in volume, or, conversely, the profusion is replaced by daubs and vice versa.

First

How long do the first periods last? Here, too, everything is individual. Menarche or the first menstruation is an indicator that a girl is going through puberty. It begins on average between the ages of 9 and 15.

The duration of the first menstruation in a young girl differs significantly from the characteristics of the body adult woman. The reason is in physiology and unsettled cycle.

The first menstruation in adolescents on average lasts about 5 days. Discharges are often scanty and may be accompanied by unpleasant aching pains in the abdomen, dizziness.

After childbirth

Another question that worries women is how long menstruation lasts after childbirth. In the first days after the birth of a child, lochia is released from the genital tract. The composition of these secretions is different from normal menstruation.

After normal delivery lochia can last for 5-6 days. The discharge is characterized by abundance and the content of blood clots, in color they are more similar not to menstruation, but to simple blood.

About a week after giving birth, the lochia becomes darker, and then the color changes from brown to yellowish. The average duration of the allocation of lochia is up to 40 days.

A woman should be especially attentive to her body during this difficult period and be sure to consult a doctor if she observes the following symptoms:

• lochia contains a lot of blood clots;
• excessively abundant discharge;
• discharge accompanied by severe pain in the abdomen;
• an unpleasant odor appears;
• there is too much mucus or pus in the lochia;
• the temperature rises, which is not easy to reduce;
• abrupt cessation of vaginal discharge.

How to count?

If you are interested in how long menstruation lasts for women, you can count the days of your cycle and compare it with the norm. To do this, you can use a regular calendar, where you should mark the duration of menstruation and the interval between them.

The norm is menstruation for 5-7 days and a cycle of 21 to 35 days. If there is a difference in the number of days between cycles, then it should not be more than 7 days. If the menstrual cycle falls within the specified limits, then it is called regular.

The following situations can influence the factor of how long the cycle of menstruation lasts:

• diets;
• weight changes, both up and down;
• climate change;
• overwork and stress;
• acute and chronic diseases.

In view of this, the work of the organs of the reproductive system cannot be constant and unchanged, and sometimes there is a deviation from the norm.

Prolonged menstruation

If menstruation continues for a couple of days, and the woman is not disturbed by anything in her health, then there is no need to worry. However, if prolonged periods are characterized by profusion and intensity (more than one pad for three hours), are accompanied by severe pain, contain, you need to go to the gynecologist.

Menstruation that lasts more than two weeks may occur due to the following reasons:

• hormonal disbalance;
• inflammatory processes of the genital organs;
• side effect of the IUD (intrauterine device);
• adenomyosis;
• endometrial polyps;
• malignant neoplasms of the genital organs;
• thyroid problems.

short menstruation

Considering how many days a girl's period lasts, it is worth remembering the possibility of too short periods.

It is worth considering if during menstruation the discharge is too scarce, or it is just a daub. There can be several reasons for too short periods:

• malfunction of the ovaries;
• the use of hormonal contraception;
• transferred inflammation;
• curettage of the uterus;
• injuries of the genitourinary system;
• dysfunction of the endocrine system;
• emotional instability;
• stressful situations;
• excessive physical activity.

Read about what normal discharge should be, what white, yellow or Brown when to worry and whether to go to the doctor.

Why does the stomach hurt before menstruation and feel sick? Details in .

What to do?

If a woman observes problems with the menstrual cycle, it is necessary to find out their causes. In the case of stress or a flight to another climate, it makes sense to wait for the next menstruation. But this, if there are no other symptoms in the form severe pain or large clots.

If deviations from the norm are observed in the next month, you should consult a doctor for examination and treatment. It is pointless to wait for the cycle to recover on its own, such an expectation can cause even more harm to the body.

The only way a woman can help herself, if not serious problems with the work of the reproductive system, this is to stick healthy lifestyle life and proper nutrition. The following is recommended:

• eating as many fruits and vegetables as possible;
• give up alcohol and smoking;
• walk more and play sports, cycling, rollerblading, etc. are suitable;
• try to avoid emotional turmoil and stress.

On the video about the duration of the cycle

How many days should monthly discharge be normal? This question worries not only girls who first encountered menstruation, but also quite adult women. It is most often asked when they come to an appointment with a gynecologist.

The amount and nature of the discharge is individual for each woman. But there are certain criteria by which you can clearly distinguish the normal course of the cycle from gynecological diseases.

The menstrual cycle in girls

Girls reach puberty earlier than boys. The day on which the first menstruation occurs is called menarche - it indicates the functional maturity of the ovaries. Despite the fact that the hormonal background of the girl is ready for the onset of pregnancy, the genital tract and uterus mature after a few years. Only by the age of 18 is a normal girl ready for pregnancy and the birth of her first child.

The first year after menarche, the cycle is set when the body adapts to changes in hormonal levels.

At this time, there may be various changes in the nature of menstruation, which should not be taken for serious illness. It is better to teach the girl the rules of personal hygiene and explain the need to correctly calculate the duration of the cycle by day.

When does menses start?

There are certain time frames when the first menstruation (menarche) comes in normal. If they occur before the age of nine, then this indicates precocious puberty. At the first discharge at the age of over 15 years, we can talk about primary infertility against the background of hormonal disorders.

How long do menses last for girls? By the first menstruation, one should not judge the cycle - it will be fully established within a year. The next discharge may appear only after a few months. But usually the duration is set immediately and ranges from 21 to 35 days. This period includes the time of menstruation itself - normally from 3 to 7 days.

Preparing for the first period

The time of maturation of the reproductive system in girls depends on various factors. It all depends on the individual level of hormones - only under their influence the development of the reproductive system begins:

1. Heredity strongly affects the timing of menarche and the duration of the cycle. How many days do your mothers and grandmothers have their periods? If you ask them well, you can find many similarities between the course of your menstrual cycles. And do not forget the female relatives from the side of the father.
2. The climate of the place of residence and nationality also determine the timing of the first menstruation. In warm southern regions, especially coastal ones, people get enough solar heat and trace elements. This allows you to speed up your metabolism by increasing the level of certain hormones. Therefore, the work of the sex glands begins a little earlier, and their maturity normally occurs by the age of 13.
3. Level physical activity affects metabolism. With adequate loads, the girl's body begins to develop faster. Therefore, active and vigorous girls rarely have problems with the course of the menstrual cycle.
4. Proper nutrition and lack of chronic diseases do not distract the girl's body from the processes of growth and development. He receives enough nutrients and vitamins for the timely maturation of the ovaries. The most dangerous stress in adolescence, when girls begin to limit themselves in food and activity.

A favorable combination of all these factors ensures the timely appearance of the first menstruation. There are no problems with them in the future - they become regular not only in duration, but also in character.

Changes in the girl's body

An increase in sex hormones occurs much earlier than menarche. The signal for the beginning of maturation is given by the brain - special substances begin to be released there that accelerate the growth of the ovaries. A sign preceding the first menstruation is a slight swelling of the mammary glands and labia majora:

• Under the influence of female sex hormones - estrogens - the growth of the egg and the inner lining of the uterus begins. But estrogens are present in the blood from birth. Their effect before puberty on these organs is minimal due to the blockade of special receptors.
• Due to a sudden surge of hormones, the inner layer of the uterus with the first egg is rejected. Since the system is still immature, the duration of menstruation is usually short - up to three days.
• Menarche occurs at night - at this time, the level of all hormones changes. You can’t call them abundant either - a small amount of blood is released, which has a smearing character.
• Clots in the discharge are normally absent, but the blood is quite dark and thick. Girls are usually frightened at the first menstruation, when underwear and bedding gets dirty.

On the part of the mother at this time, it will be necessary to calm the child and communicate with him in a confidential atmosphere. It is necessary to explain the issues of personal hygiene of a woman, as well as the rules for calculating the duration of the cycle.

Mother's actions during the first menstruation

The main activities relate to psychological preparation. The mother is the only close person who can simply and clearly talk about her experience. A woman should take a look at what kind of discharge during menarche - they should be dark red in color and fairly uniform.

They start with personal hygiene issues - for the period of menarche, you can use ordinary sanitary pads.

According to them, the volume of blood is estimated - when it goes from 2 to 3 per day, then this is the norm. Exceeding this indicator or meager spotting is not always a sign of illness - it can be individual feature organism. It is worth paying attention to the well-being of the girl - the disease usually worsens it.

End the conversation by explaining how to calculate the duration of the menstrual cycle. The first day is the beginning of the menarche, and the calculation of regularity begins with it. The following discharge may occur in two months - during the year the body adapts to the changes.

menstruation in women

How long do menses last for girls? Normal in reproductive age reproductive system comes into a state of complete readiness for pregnancy and childbirth. This means that the duration and regularity of the cycle become constant. This flow can be broken only by severe shocks in a woman's life - stress or illness.

In some gynecological diseases, both the normal duration of menstruation and their nature may change.

Usually there is a shortening in time - menstruation lasts less than 3 days. Irregular discharges are also common - there can be an interval of up to 6 months between them. If it is more than normal, then we can already talk about the infertility of a woman.

With age, the hormonal activity of the ovaries gradually fades away. This happens under the influence of general aging of the body. The possibility of childbearing is reduced, so menstruation changes its character, and then disappears.

Changes in a woman's body during menstruation

When sexual function fully formed under the influence of estrogens and other hormones, there is a cyclic maturation of eggs. This process is controlled by the brain and ovaries - there is an alternate increase in their activity. Thus, adequate preparation of the body for a possible pregnancy is achieved:

1. Under the influence of estrogens and progestins, the egg and endometrium, the inner layer of the uterus, mature.
2. If pregnancy does not occur, then all these formations must be removed. This is done for their constant renewal - "old" cells accumulate defects in themselves.
3. There is a jump in brain hormones, and the endometrium is removed by destroying the underlying vessels. Therefore, menstruation is accompanied by a slight bleeding.

Changes in the system of blood and immunity provide a quick cessation of the expiration of secretions and the beginning of recovery of the mucosa.

Menstruation is normal

In spite of fast recovery mucous membrane of the uterus, the discharge lasts from 3 to 7 days. This is due to the peculiarities of menstrual blood - it almost does not clot.

If this property was not there, then clots formed inside the uterus and vagina, which would make it difficult for the outflow of secretions. The nature of menstruation:

• A little blood is released during the entire menstruation - from 20 to 60 ml. And the maximum amount falls on the first day.
• It should be homogeneous - not contain dense clots. But there may be streaks, as the discharge contains mucus and tissue particles.
• Its color varies from dark red to brown.
• Menstruation may be accompanied by a change in well-being - dizziness, weakness, heaviness in the lower abdomen.

The amount of allocation is individual for each woman and is determined through the amount spent per day hygiene products.

If it seems to you that the discharge is too scarce or plentiful, consult a gynecologist for advice.

Hygiene during menstruation

Its rules must be learned from adolescence- this will help the mother, and then the local gynecologist. Keeping the genitals clean is necessary for as long as the days of menstruation. Many people forget about this because last days bleeding is not so abundant.

But at this very time there is high risk microbial entry and inflammation.

Always come first water procedures- Washing should be done up to three times a day. special funds not required - use warm boiled water and special soap (intimate). In terms of general procedures a shower is preferable, as a bath and a bath can increase the release of blood.

Only after washing use hygiene products - pads or tampons. Their number depends on the volume of secretions - normally two per day is enough. Nowadays, there is a wide variety of them - in size and absorbency.

It is also worth replacing these funds in a timely manner - menstrual blood is a favorable environment for the reproduction of bacteria.

How menstruation goes is an important issue both for young girls whose cycle has not yet been established, and for women who have encountered any problems in the reproductive system.

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

Knowing how many days a period should go, how much, a woman is able to understand the failure that has begun in a timely manner. The individuality of each organism should not be excluded, however, there are certain norms regarding the nature of menstruation.

It is believed that the duration is from three to seven days. For this period are considered natural general deterioration well-being, pain in the lower abdomen.

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

Long periods or, conversely, very short periods may indicate:

• violation 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, knowing the exact number of days of the cycle. It should be understood what it is. Some mistakenly take for it the period between allocations. In fact, the cycle includes total number days from the first day of menstruation to the first day of the next period.

(Date of period - date of previous period) + one extra day = cycle length

The norm is 28 days. However, a duration of 21 to 35 days is allowed, these are all variants of the norm.

For duration female cycle can affect:

• fatigue and overwork;
• stressful situations;
• diets, weight loss or weight gain;
• colds and exacerbation of chronic;
• moving to another climate zone and so on.

To account for their own cycle, the doctor often recommends that girls start a calendar and mark the dates of menstruation in it. This method will allow not only to monitor the state of the body, but also accurately indicate information to the gynecologist when visiting him.

How are periods going normally?

How normal menstruation proceeds, how the discharge should go correctly, every lady needs to know.

Doctors point to various options that are not a deviation:

1. On the first day, heavy menstruation, contains blood clots dark color. In the following days, the discharge becomes less abundant and disappears by 5-7 days.
2. The beginning of menstruation is a dark spotting discharge that becomes more abundant by day 3. Further, the intensity of menstruation is on the decline.
3. Change in secretions throughout 5-7 days. Allocations can be scarce at first, and then plentiful, and vice versa.

You can rely on these options if you are concerned about how menstruation goes normally. But another course of menstruation can be quite natural.

How much should be allocated?

Distinguish menstrual flow by volume, they can be:

• normal;

It is normal if up to 6-7 pieces of hygiene products are taken per day. More pads used indicates excessive flow, fewer pads indicate scanty periods.

Reasons for deviations

If a woman understands that something is wrong with her cycle, and the discharge is far from normal, you should go to the doctor and be examined.

A large volume of discharge lasting more than a week can be a symptom of problems such as:

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

The scarcity of menstruation may indicate such problems:

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

What to do if a failure occurs?

If the menses go for a long time, the cause is not always the presence of a disease. It is not uncommon for situations when menstruation goes on, or they do not exist at all, but there is no pregnancy either. The cause of all these conditions must be found by a doctor and appropriate treatment prescribed.

There are such types that require medical intervention:

• Algodysmenorrhea. Often occurs in young girls. The duration of the cycle and discharge is usually normal, but during the days of menstruation, severe pain occurs, which can be accompanied by nausea, vomiting and other disorders in the body.
• Amenorrhea. This is complete absence monthly. It 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 much earlier or late. The reason - in hormones or the impact of any external circumstances - stress, exams, flight.
• Oligoamenorrhea. Rare and scanty menstruation, which can subsequently cause infertility in a woman.

On the video about the menstrual cycle

How menstruation goes, every woman and girl should know. This is especially true for adolescents who are just expecting their first menstruation. Any deviation is a reason to see a doctor. Only Attentive attitude to my women's health will allow you to maintain excellent health and the opportunity to become a mother in the future.