Menstruation Symptoms, Menstrual cramps, Premenstrual Syndrome

A woman’s menstrual cycle prepares her body for conception and pregnancy. If she doesn’t conceive then she has a monthly period. Menstruation lasts from 3-5 days although it varies a bit from woman to woman. Younger women often have slightly longer periods. As part of the menstrual cycle, the lining in a woman’s uterus builds up. If she becomes pregnant that lining will provide nutrition for a fetus. However, if a pregnancy doesn’t occur than all of that build up is shed. Menstrual blood discharged from the uterus passes through the cervix and out through the vagina.

The menstrual cycle begins on the first day of the menstrual period and continues until the beginning of the next period. Hormones are responsible for regulating the cycle. It is hormones that trigger the process of ovums developing in the ovaries and at the same time prepares the uterus for pregnancy. The beginning of menstruation in a young girl heralds her ability to become pregnant. It is the ending of periods or menopause that indicates a woman will no longer conceive or bear children.

Menstruation can be light, medium or heavy. Further, some women experience more symptoms of menstruation than other women do. For example, some women experience cramping, bloating, tender breasts and occasionally moodiness. In addition, some women experience these symptoms in advance of their periods and when this happens its called premenstrual syndrome. When periods are heavy and accompanied by severe cramping its called Dysmenorrhea. When a woman misses periods she may be experiencing Amenorrhea. Problems with menstrual periods or disrupted cycles can be caused by pregnancy, hormone difficulties, stress, severe weight loss, cysts or trouble with one or more reproductive organs.

Menstruation generally begins around 12 in the United States. Women go into menopause normally sometime after 40, though in unusual cases some women don’t stop having their periods until 60.

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