What are periods?
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Your one-stop guide for all things periods! From big questions to small ones, don’t worry… we’re here to help!
In this blog we’ll cover all kinds of things! We’ll talk you through the sciencey stuff. Like what your period is and how your cycle can affect your body and feelings. And, the question on everyone’s lips…. what is normal?
What is a period?
Your period, or menstruation (that’s the ‘sciencey’ name,) is part of your menstrual cycle. This cycle is your body’s way of preparing itself for a possible pregnancy.
During your menstrual cycle, the number of hormones in your body changes. The main hormones you need to know are oestrogen and progesterone. These hormones control different aspects of the menstrual cycle. We’ll be talking a lot about them, so sit tight.
In your body you have eggs inside your ovaries. We’re talking teeny tiny eggs here. You can’t see them with your eyes, they’re that small! Your hormones help the eggs to mature and then get released. They go down your fallopian tubes, and towards your uterus. These hormones also make the lining of your uterus thick.
If an egg got fertilised by sperm, it would land on the cosy lining. That’s when a pregnancy would start.
But, if the egg doesn’t get fertilised, your body no longer needs the lining. So, and here come the hormones again, they tell your body to break the lining down. The lining then leaves the uterus through your vagina…and… your Bloody Brilliant period has arrived!
So, now we know what’s going on down there. But what does that mean for you?
How long does it last?
Your menstrual cycle takes around 28 days. You count the days starting from the first day you bleed. But, this is a good time to point out that everyone is different! Your bloody brilliant body is unique, and so is how you experience periods.
So, whilst 28 days is average, it could be a little longer or shorter. Of those 28 days, you might bleed for 3 days, or up to 8. There aren’t any set rules and over time you’ll learn what’s normal for you.
When you first start, your periods are likely to change from month to month. Your body can take some time to get into its own flow. So, give it some time! It’s learning what to do while you’re getting used to things too!
How do I know if my period is coming?
There are some signs which mean you might get your first period soon.
The first signs are your boobs beginning to grow, and you’re starting to get pubic hair. They’re natural parts of growing up. Once they happen, you could expect to get your period about two years later.
From then, there are other signs that your period is coming each month. One sign is if you notice discharge in your pants. Discharge is a white or yellowish fluid. It can show up a few months before your first period.
There are other physical and emotional symptoms you can get each month. They include headaches, bloating, cramps, mood swings, feeling tired and having trouble concentrating. We call these signs PMS (premenstrual syndrome).
Not everyone gets PMS, and people that do will get it differently. It normally happens just before and during your period. If you’ve ever found yourself wanting to eat your body weight in chocolate or burst into tears at the smallest of things around your period… this is probably the reason! It’s totally normal. We’ve all had those days!
Take a look at our top tips for looking after yourself when you have PMS...
Let’s get to the bloody truth. How much blood do we lose?
On average, a period is between 3-9 teaspoons of fluid a month. It really isn’t that much when you put it that way! The amount of fluid changes from person to person. Notice what’s normal for you.
But why did we just call it fluid? While we call it blood, it’s not just blood in there. There’s also other really cool stuff in there too. About half of your period is blood, but the rest is made up of other things like tissue, nutrients and cervical mucus - pretty amazing when you think about it!
You can catch your flow with tampons, pads and many more amazing period products. Find out more info on period products here. Why not try out a few to figure out what’s best for you?
During your period the colour of your blood might also change. This is totally normal too, find out more about why!
It’s important to notice your flow so that you know what’s normal for you. This will help you spot when you might need some help.
Pain and what is normal?!
A not-so-fun part about getting your period is period pains. They’re also called menstrual cramps. Not everyone gets period cramps, and that’s totally normal. But most women, girls and people who have periods do.
Period pain is mainly caused by your uterus contracting. That means tensing up, like the other muscles in your body do. This helps get rid of the lining which we spoke about earlier. It might feel like pains in your stomach, but you might also feel it in your back and thighs.
It’s so normal!
There’s all kinds of normal when it comes to your period. There’s your normal, your mates’ normal, your next-door neighbours’ normal!
Getting to know your body, your feelings and your flow is really important. If you notice changes in your normal, or if you find any part of your period too difficult, ask for help.
After all, half of the people in the world will have periods at some point, they’re a normal part of life. So, we should be able to support each other. Only you know how you feel, so get help if you need it! There’s no shame in asking for advice. Your local GP will be able to help you.
