Menstrual
Menstruation: An Overview
Menstruation, or periods, is a natural and essential part of a woman's reproductive health. Every month, your body prepares for pregnancy. If no pregnancy occurs, the uterus, or womb, sheds its lining. The menstrual blood is partly blood and partly tissue from inside the uterus. It passes out of the body through the vagina.
A menstrual period usually lasts from three to five days. Its timing can vary from woman to woman and from month to month. The menstrual cycle refers to the changing hormones in a woman’s body over a 28-day period and is divided into two phases: the follicular phase and the luteal phase.
Signs and Symptoms of Menstruation
Menstrual periods can range from light to heavy, from light spotting to large clots of blood. Some common signs and symptoms of menstruation include:
- abdominal cramping
- breast tenderness
- bloating
- mood swings
- fatigue
- headaches
- back pain
- acne
Some women experience no symptoms of their menstrual period, while others (especially during the teenage years) may feel cramps, headaches, nausea, and other physical effects in addition to the bleeding itself.
Possible Complications
Menstrual complications are rare but can cause significant distress and, in some cases, may require medical intervention. Menstrual complications may include:
- heavy bleeding
- skipping periods
- irregular periods
- intermenstrual spotting (spotting between periods)
- premenstrual syndrome (PMS)
- dysmenorrhea (painful periods)
- premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)
- ovarian cysts
- endometriosis
- dysfunctional uterine bleeding (DUB)
If you experience any of these complications, it is important to talk to your doctor.