Sexual Health for Women - Periods
What are periods?
It is when the female body is ready to start preparing for pregnancy. The woman's vagina will bleed for a few days. This doesn't mean it is a reason to go out and get pregnant though!!
Why do I get them?
Girls are born with thousands of tiny eggs inside their ovaries. When a girl reaches puberty, one egg is released every month from her ovaries. This egg moves along the fallopian tube to her womb. In the womb, if the egg gets fertilized (by a man) this is where the baby will grow. Her womb gets ready for a possible pregancy each month and its lining becomes thick and soft. When her body knows there is no baby growing, the egg is naturally absorbed into the body. The lining then passes out of her body as blood through the vagina.
What else can I expect?
Usually a week or two before her period is due to start, many woman suffer from PMT (Pre Menstrual Tension). This can cause such symptoms as tender lightly swollen breasts, lower back pain, period pains (stomach cramps). The monthly cycle affects every woman in a different way. If there is anything you are unsure about ask your mother or older sister to check if it is normal or a medical person such as a GP or School Nurse.
When can I expect it?
In most cases a female body starts releasing eggs at the age of 12 or 13. But you can be as young as 8 and as old as 16. Your period will start when your body is ready, so don't worry if yours haven't started and all your friends have.
How often can I expect it?
It is often referred to as the monthly cycle or 28 day cycle, but again every woman's cycle is different and some are shorter or longer. It all depends on your body. Most woman have their period till they are about 50 years of age.
How long will every time last?
Again most woman bleed for about 4 -5 days and you can realistically bleed for 2 -3 days or 7-8 days. For the first year your period might be very irregular, but this is just your body adjusting.
What are tampons and sanitary towels?
Tampons are inserted inside the vagina to trap and absorb the blood before it leaves the body. There are many different makes and manufacturers of tampons. The biggest difference in most tampons is how much blood they absorb (some periods may be heavier or more blood is released). They range from super to light and are used as needed. Another major difference between tampons is that some have a cardboard tube on the outside to help you insert it, while other types require the use of your fingers.
Common concerns of using tampons are:
- What happens if the string of the tampon breaks and the tampon is lost inside me?
- Will it hurt the first time?
- Can i go to the toilet with a tampon inside me?
First of all, you don't have to worry about the string breaking as it is joined firmly to the tampon. If you relax while inserting it, it shouldn't cause any pain at all, but do make sure you read and understand the instructions. And lastly, yes you can go to the toilet and as normal with a tampon inside you.
Sanitary Towels are highly absorbent pads that fit inside your pants and absorb the blood as it leaves the body. Newer type sanitary towels have 'wings' that stick to your pants and prevent them from moving out of place or falling out. Again you can get them in different forms from super (heavier periods) to light (lighter periods).
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