Let's Talk Some More About the Menstrual Cycle?
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1 Theof Let’s talk some more about the menstrual cycle? You probably already noticed your body is 2 3 changing. You might also be feeling things differently, both emotionally and physically, right? many Whatever the case, remember that you are not alone – everyone you know (including the boys) will go through puberty. It’s natural and perfectly OK! The more information you get on the subject, the more you will feel comfortable and self-confident! THE PHYSICAL CHANGES YOU WILL NOTICE ARE TELLING YOU THAT PUBERTY HAS ARRIVED: To show you that getting your period isn’t really YOUR BREASTS GROW; that big a deal, we have prepared a primer that YOUR NIPPLES BECOME MORE PRONOUNCED; explains everything about the menstrual cycle, PMS, and what to expect during your period. YOUR HIPS BECOME WIDER; HAIR BEGINS TO GROW IN YOUR ARMPITS AND PUBIC REGION; YOUR BODY GETS MORE CURVES; YOUR GENITALS GROW DARKER AND THICKER; PUBERTY IS A PERIOD WHEN YOU BEGIN NOTICING A VAGINAL DISCHARGE; YOUR BODY UNDERGOES OVULATION BEGINS; MANY CHANGES THAT WILL PREPARE YOU TO BECOME YOU GET YOUR PERIOD FOR THE FIRST TIME. AN ADULT. GIRLS PUBERTY NORMALLY HAPPENS YOUR REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS ARE THERE SINCE YOU BETWEEN THE AGE OF 10 TO WERE BORN, BUT THEY ONLY MATURE DURING PUBERTY. 14 YEARS OLD. EACH GIRL IS THAT HAPPENS WHEN YOUR BODY PRODUCES A DIFFERENT, AND NO TIMING HORMONE CALLED ESTROGEN, WHICH REGULATES IS BETTER OR WORSE. YOUR MENSTRUAL CYCLE. happen? The vast majority of women get their period; it happens throughout all of the THE ENDOMETRIUM years a woman can become pregnant LINES THE INSIDE OF and conceive a new life. Also, getting THE UTERUS your period is an indication that your body is functioning properly. But menstrual bleeding is only one part of the menstrual cycle: first the EVERY MONTH, THE egg grows, then the uterus forms a UTERUS PREPARES thick lining to prepare to receive an FOR PREGNANCY, TO embryo; bleeding only happens when RECEIVE AN EMBRYO the uterus realizes there will be no pregnancy, so it contracts to eliminate the lining, which is comprised of blood and tissue. That’s when your “period” WHEN PREGNANCY begins. DOESN’T HAPPEN, THE ENDOMETRIUM The menstruation That is why pregnant women don’t BREAKS DOWN AND THE WOMAN MENSTRUATES get their periods. Since the uterus will make use of that lining, it doesn’t eliminate it. DID YOU KNOW THAT THE VERY FIRST MENSTRUAL know? you did MENSTRUATION IS CALLED MENARCHE? can last from 3 to 8 days. Bleeding That’s right! Once you get your period, you will starts with a darker color that grows continue to menstruate until you’re around 50 increasingly red and, towards the end, years old, which is when menopause happens, becomes darker again. and then you’ll never menstruate again. When you get your period for the first time, you realize how menstruation marks an important stage in your cycle – in your life. So it’s worth UTERUS learning about it, and learning to respect it. TUBES From menarche to menopause, you will very likely have your period every month – unless you’re pregnant or breastfeeding. If you don’t OVARY menstruate and you can rule out those two CERVIX reasons, it’s very important that you consult a VAGINA gynecologist: you may have some hormonal imbalance that is interfering with your period. THICK ENDOMETRIUM MENSTRUAL FLOW As a matter of fact, seeing a gynecologist regularly is very important to ensuring you stay healthy. If you have any questions about finding a medical specialist, ask an adult you trust, like your mother, father, teacher, etc. I’M YOUR MENSTRUAL CYCLE DURING THE MENSTRUAL CYCLE 27 28 1 2 26 3 A few days before the THE REGULAR 25 4 24 5 flow begins, hormonal MENSTRUAL THIS IS CALLED 23 6 changes may cause CYCLE LASTS PRE-MENSTRUAL 22 7 several symptoms, both FROM 28 TO 30 SYNDROME, THE 21 8 physical and emotional. DAYS, AND HAS 20 9 The most common are FAMOUS PMS. THREE PHASES. 19 10 swollen and tender 18 11 17 12 breasts and abdomen, 16 13 15 14 heightened or diminished appetite, acne, and It also common to feel headaches. Also, it is an abdominal pain The first phase starts on the first day of the common to have mood during the ovulation swings and become sad, phase, in the middle 1. cycle and lasts from 5 to 8 days. This is when the endometrium and a new follicle start upset, tired or anxious. of the cycle. It’s not a growing again. coincidence that this When your period finally discomfort is called In the next five days, the ovulation phase comes, these symptoms “middle pain.” 2. takes place; the egg becomes mature and disappear. But don’t the woman is more fertile. be surprised if you get But it’s also normal to cramps, feel a weight in feel nothing – neither The last phase is the secretion phase; it your stomach and your pain, nor discomfort, lasts about 14 days. The uterus prepares back, feel tired, or pee nor bodily changes. 3. to receive a fertilized egg. If the egg is not more frequently. That After all, every woman is fertilized, the woman will menstruate, and is all caused by your unique and each body the cycle will start over. menstrual flow. is different. WHAT’S IMPORTANT IS TO TAKE GOOD CARE AND OF YOUR PERSONAL HYGIENE, BY USING A SELF-CONFIDENT DURING PRODUCT THAT WILL ABSORB OR COLLECT THAT BLOOD. YOUR PERIOD You have many different options: At each menstrual cycle, you lose The best-known alternative is the sanitary between 30 and 50 ml of blood. It’s napkin (a.k.a. menstrual pad), which adapts easily to really not all that much... you can keep different body types and sizes, and is easy to use. going to school (including your PE classes), the gym, the movies, out for Another option is the tampon, which is inserted into ice cream... Anywhere you like, even to the vaginal canal, and protects you just as well. Both the beach or the swimming pool. the sanitary napkin and the tampon can easily be used during all your everyday activities. Reusable pads (cloth), absorbent panties, and menstrual cups are also available. THE BETTER YOU KNOW YOUR BODY AND PAY ATTENTION TO YOUR CYCLE, THE BETTER YOU WILL BE Ah, there are also daily pads called ABLE TO ADAPT YOUR ROUTINE TO THESE CHANGES. pantyliners, which are a great option for when the AND, ESPECIALLY, YOU WON’T BE SO UPSET ABOUT THE menstrual flow is weaker, towards the end of your DISCOMFORTS, AS YOU WILL KNOW WHY THEY ARE period. Also, they can be a good alternative for HAPPENING AND THAT THEY WILL GO AWAY SOON. everyday use, to keep you feeling fresh and clean DON’T KEEP YOUR QUESTIONS TO YOURSELF. throughout the day. talk Each woman may prefer a different type ABOUT YOUR PERIOD WITH YOUR FRIENDS of product. Or use different products, AND FAMILY, AND SEEK INFORMATION ABOUT according to what she finds best suited THIS VERY NATURAL FUNCTION. for the occasion. It’s your decision, as long as you feel comfortable, protected and confident with the product of your choice. Take care of yourself SHARE THIS MATERIAL, ONLY BY WORKING TOGETHER WILL WE BE ABLE TO REACH EVEN MORE PEOPLE WITH INFORMATION ABOUT THE MENSTRUATION! SUPPORT:.