Your body
Managing your Period
On the rag, the curse, the red tide, monthlies, my time of month, my period . . When you think about your menstrual cycle you may only think about menstruating—those days each month or so when you have to take care of bleeding and any other symptoms (such as cramps or headaches or bloating ) that go along with menstruation. But your menstrual cycle involves a lot more than just those few days when you really see and feel what is going on in your body. It’s all part of a series of changes your body goes through to prepare for a possible pregnancy. And it does this every month or so!
It’s all about hormones
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Learn more about menopause at www.menopauseandu.ca |
It’s all about hormones and getting your body ready to have a baby. It all starts in the early or pre-teen years (sometimes as early as 9 years old) when a young woman has her first period. The cycles continue until a woman reaches menopause at around age 50. Menopause is when a woman’s hormones change again: her body stops preparing for a possible pregnancy and her periods stop.
Everyone is different
Every woman is slightly different. Some get their period when they are quite young, others when they are in their late teens; some start menopause in their 40s, other in their late 50s. Some only have small cramps when they get their period; others have really painful cramps and suffer from PMS (premenstrual syndrome). Some women use only natural products to manage their blood flow, others want the convenience of disposable pads and tampons. Some women celebrate their period as a sign of womanhood; others just grin and bear it.
Freedom and control
Whatever your style or your experience, knowing about what is happening to your body and understanding the options available for managing your period give you some freedom and control. You can choose what is best for you and you’ll know when to seek medical advice because something just doesn’t feel right or normal.
Last Modified: February 6, 2008
