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Menstruation
What is Menstruation?
Menstruation is a completely normal and natural process that usually begins between the ages of 10 and 16 (though some people start a little earlier or later). It involves the shedding and release of the uterine lining, made up of blood and tissue. This results in the release of blood and tissue out of your body – also known as “getting your period.”
We know this sounds quite intimidating! But it's important to know that half of the people on planet earth go through this same exact process. It's a sign that your body is healthy, and growing and developing as it should!
What are the symptoms?
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Bleeding from the vagina
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Releasing blood clots or tissue from the vagina
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Stomach or pelvic cramps
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Lower back pain
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Bloating and sore breasts
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Food cravings
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Mood swings and irritability
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Headache
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Feeling tired
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Acne
How is it diagnosed?
One day, you may see blood in your underwear, on your bedsheets, or when you go to the bathroom. This means you have gotten your first period! It is completely normal to be anxious about getting your first period, but remember, many people have felt similar anxiety when getting theirs.
Signs that your period may be coming:
Some people may get signs that their period is coming, and some don’t. Usually, you’ll be able to guess when it’s due, because most people’s “cycles” are around the same length. You may also experience bloating, acne, sore breasts, or emotional changes.
What is a menstrual cycle?
Your menstrual cycle is the time it takes you to go from the start of one period to the start of your next. The average menstrual cycle is about 28 days, but it varies from woman to woman. Some cycles can be as long as 6 or 7 weeks, or as short as 3 weeks. The length of your menstrual cycle is not the same as the length of menstruation, or your period.
How long will I be on my period?
Most periods last from 2-7 days, but some may be slightly longer – especially in the first few years you have it.
Is it normal for my period to be irregular when I first get it?
It is completely normal for your period to be irregular, or to sometimes skip periods, for the first few years you have it.
How heavy will my period be?
How “heavy” your period is varies from person to person, and usually varies throughout a period; starting off light and becoming most heavy on day two or three. If you are bleeding through a pad or tampon within an hour or two, then your period is considered heavy. It is important that you are regularly changing your period products if this is the case. Some people may also experience much lighter periods, especially in the first few years of menstruating.
Menstrual Hygiene
How is a period managed?
There are many methods for absorbing or collecting blood during your period. Here are the most popular:
Sanitary Pads
The average cost of pads $6 per box at 12 boxes per year
Long cotton pads that go in your underwear and absorb the blood that you release. You can get disposable ones, or washable/reusable ones, and they come in different levels of absorption to suit light or heavy flows. You can wear a pad for up to four hours. On average, menstruators go through four to five pads per day on their period.
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Tampons
-the average cost of a tampon box is $7, at an average of 9 boxes per year
A cotton product designed to be inserted into the vagina to absorb blood. Some come with a plastic applicator designed to help you insert them; others can simply be pushed in with fingers. A string is attached to the bottom of the tampon, which you can use to remove it.
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Some people can be very apprehensive about using tampons for the first time. Rest assured, they do not hurt, you will not feel them once they are in, and there is no risk of a tampon getting “lost” inside of you. It’s impossible for a tampon to go anywhere from the vagina except out! It is far too large to pass through your cervix and into your uterus.
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If you wear tampons, make sure to change them every 4-6 hours (or more often if your period is heavy). This is important, because wearing a tampon puts you at higher risk of developing Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS), a potentially life-threatening bacterial infection. TSS is incredibly rare, but when it does occur, it can be deadly. Early symptoms of TSS include fever, a skin rash, dizziness, and vomiting. If you suspect you have TSS, remove the tampon and seek medical help immediately.
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Menstrual Cups
-The cost of a menstrual cup ranges from $13 to $25
A small, flexible cup usually made of silicone that can be inserted into the vagina to collect blood. Menstrual cups have small sticks at the bottom which are used to remove them. They are reusable – you simply empty them, wash them out, and place them back in.
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Like tampons, menstrual cups can be daunting to some. We recommend getting used to using tampons before moving on to menstrual cups.
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Period Underwear
-period-proof underwear ranges from $24 to $65 per pair
Special underwear designed to absorb period blood during menstruation. Period underwear is washable and reusable. It is essentially underwear with a reusable menstrual pad sewn in.
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But menstrual hygiene is not just about keeping blood off of your favorite pants! While menstruation is a natural process, wearing a pad, tampon, or even pants, is not. The trapped moisture caused by these products can upset the balance of the vaginal microbiome, so it is important to practice good menstrual hygiene.
Good menstrual hygiene practices include:
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Changing your pad or tampon every 3-4 hours
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Bathing regularly
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Avoidings vaginal washes or douches
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Washing the vulva with room temperature water – not hot!
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Making sure any menstrual products you use are sanitary. Never ever use a pad, tampon, cup, or rag that is dirty. This may introduce any number of harmful bacteria to the vagina, and cause life-threatening infections
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Keeping your genital area clean
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Wearing loose, breathable clothing. This prevents a build-up of moisture and heat, reducing the chances of infection-creating environments
Research
Period poverty and mental health implications among college-aged women in the United States
Lauren F. Cardoso, Anna M. Scolese, Alzahra Hamidaddin, and Jhumka Gupta, BMC Women's Health 2021
People think of period poverty as a third-world-country problem. But this 2021 paper examines period poverty in college-aged women in the US. It found that many of these women in the US experience period poverty, which also impacts their mental health.
Unmet Menstrual Hygiene Needs Among Low-Income Women
Anne Sebert Kuhlmann, PhD, MPH, Eleanor Peters Bergquist, MA, MSPH, Djenie Danjoint, MPH,
and L. Lewis Wall, MD, DPhil, Obstetrics & Gynecology, 2019
This study conducted in 2017-2018 found almost two-thirds of women with low incomes in St Louis, Missouri, could not afford menstrual products. Nearly half sometimes had to choose between buying food or menstrual products.
