What is a period?

(Appropriate for ages 10+)

The Menstrual Cycle 

A period is part of the menstrual cycle of a woman. The menstrual cycle involves several monthly changes to the body in order to prepare for pregnancy. The main process involved is ovulation. During ovulation, your ovaries will release an egg into the uterus. The uterus is a protective layer that thickens to protect a developing fetus, during pregnancy. If the egg is not fertilized this is what leads to a period. A period is the shedding of the lining of the uterus, also commonly known as the womb, through the vagina. Your period is only one part of your menstrual cycle. There are four stages to menstruation, but your period only makes up the first stage, which is called the menses phase. Menstruation is the medical term for a period, but you may also hear people refer to it as their cycle, menses or "time of the month." These are all different names for the same thing. 

Period Blood - What is it and how is it different from other blood?

During your period, menstrual blood or period blood will flow down from your uterus, through your cervix, until it exits your body through your vagina. Period blood is simply blood that exits your body as part of your period. It is important to know that period blood may not look like the blood that you might see if you scrape your knee and start bleeding. Period blood may even appear to have a more solid texture or a thicker consistency because it is not only blood, but also partly tissue that comes from the lining of your uterus. 

Duration - How long will my period last?

Your period will typically last 3-5 days, but it can also only be 2 days or up to a week. During the first few years after getting your first period, it is normal for your period to be irregular. Irregular periods can include: skipping a month, not lasting a consistent number of days each month, being heavier some months and lighter other months. This could mean your period may last a little bit longer than a week. If 2 years have passed and your cycle is still longer than a week you may want to talk to your doctor. It is important to know that everyone’s cycle is different. 

First Period - When will I get my period?

Most commonly girls will get their period at around age 12, but you can get your first period from as young as 8 years old and as old as 16 years old. If you do not get your period by the time you are 16 years old, you may want to speak with your doctor. Everybody’s body is different and because of that everyone’s cycle can be different. If you would like to get a possible estimate, you might get your first period at a similar age as when your mother got her first period, but this is not always the case. Like stated before, everyone’s body’s are different and your period cycle may not be the same as your mother’s. One way that you might get a more accurate estimate comes from the fact that girls will most likely get their period around 2-3 years after starting to develop breasts.