Menstrual Cycle

What is menstruation?

Menstruation is part of the menstrual cycle that is noted by a woman's monthly bleeding aka your period. The menstrual blood is made of of blood and tissue from the inside of the uterus. It flows from the uterus through the cervix and passes out of the body through the vagina.

At what age does menstruation begin?

Most girls will have their first menstruation cycle at about 12 or 13; however some have started as early as 8 or as late as 15. If a girl has not started her period by the age of 16 she should consult with her doctor.

How long is a menstrual cycle?

The average period lasts 6 days, though some women experience slightly shorter or longer periods.

When should I see a doctor for menstruation problems?

It is normal to experience some discomfort before your period, but call and make an appointment if you experience any of the following during your cycle:

• PMS symptoms
• severe pain during menstruation
• cramps that last longer than 2 days after your period begins
• heavy bleeding
• absence of period
• symptoms of Toxic Shock Syndrome

What kinds of problems can happen with menstruation?

Amenorrhea
Amenorrhea is characterized by the lack of monthly menstruation. Typical causes of amenorrhea are:

• pregnancy
• breastfeeding
• extreme weight loss
• stress
• hormonal problems
• problems with reproductive organs

Dysmenorrhea
Dysmenorrhea is a condition where women experience painful periods including sever menstrual crams.

Abnormal Uterine Bleeding
Vaginal bleeding different from your typical menstrual period. It may be very heavy bleeding or unusually long periods, periods too close together, and bleeding between periods.

What are symptoms of Toxic Shock Syndrome - TSS

• High fever with sudden onset
• Rash
• Skin peels on your pals or soles of your feet before onset of other symptoms
• low blood pressure
• illnesses related to at least 3 organ systems including: gastrointestinal, muscular, blood system, liver, kidneys, mucous membrane, and central nervous system.

Why does a woman need hormones during and after menopause?

No matter what your age, if your female hormones (estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone) are unbalanced, you may suffer ill effects such as hot flashes, night sweats, depression, vaginal dryness, fatigue, and weight gain. In the long term, bioidentical hormone therapy protects a woman from heart disease, osteoporosis, and memory loss.

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