The problem of puberty in Russia is relevant in our time. It so happens that in many Russian families, discussions with children about issues of sexual development, marriage, and childbirth are left “behind the scenes.” But not only parents, but also teachers in schools need to hold conversations with children and schoolchildren, striving for competent sex education for our descendants.

Puberty, as a physiological process, occurs in a certain sequence.

In prepuberty, rapid growth and the appearance of the first signs of femininity in the figure are observed: the hips are rounded as a result of the growth and uniform redistribution of fatty tissue, and the female pelvis is formed. Many girls begin to feel embarrassed about such changes. Therefore, during this important and responsible period, the mother needs to talk extremely gently and carefully with the girl about sexual development.

In the puberty phase (10 - 12 years), the mammary glands grow, which is called thelarche; The beginning of pubic hair growth is noted (11 years - 12 years) - this is called pubarche. The end is the onset of the first menstruation - menarche (menstruation begins in girls aged about 12 - 13 years), coinciding with the completion of body growth in length.

What are periods (menstruation)?

Menstruation, and from the medical side - menstruation, is the rejection of the endometrium (the mucous membrane of the inner layer of the uterus), a rhythmic process that repeats at certain intervals. Menstruation is the completion of a physiological process - the menstrual cycle, which lasts 3 - 4 weeks.

During puberty, the hypothalamus and pituitary gland begin to produce gonadotropic hormones (FSH-follicle-stimulating hormone and LH-luteinizing hormone), which trigger the mechanism of follicle growth, steroid production and egg maturation. In the mucous membranes of the uterus, vagina, and cervical canal, cyclic changes occur that correspond to the phases of the menstrual cycle.

Cycle phases

The menstrual cycle has several phases:

• the phase of endometrial rejection, which has individual durations from one day to several days. This is a very complex process, after which the process of endometrial growth immediately begins, which occurs with extraordinary speed;
• then the proliferation phase begins (with a normal 4-day cycle) begins on the 5th day and lasts until the 14th day of the menstrual cycle. Every day the process of endometrial growth increases, and by the end of the proliferation phase, the growth of the endometrium in thickness reaches its maximum;
• after the proliferation phase, the secretion phase will begin from the 15th to the 28th day of the menstrual cycle. In this phase, the growth of the endometrium stops and its preparation begins for the reception of a fertilized egg, or for rejection (if fertilization of the egg does not occur).

It should be noted that menstruation is not only changes that occur in the reproductive organ - the uterus, but manifestations of changes in the whole organism.

Changes in the body

Before the onset of menstruation, the body signals this various manifestations, among them:

• nagging pain in the lower back and sacrum;
• headache;
• feeling overwhelmed;
• tension in the nipples;
• weight gain;
• in many girls and young women, a few days before the onset of menstruation, heavy mucous discharge begins;
• possible, but not always, increased body temperature, fluctuations in blood pressure.

In addition to the above changes, the first signs of menstruation in girls can be manifested by changes in the psychological sphere: weakening of memory, irritability, tearfulness, insomnia.

The amount of blood released during menstruation, on average, ranges from 50 ml to 150 ml. Menstrual blood is darker, unlike arterial or venous blood.

In the first 1.5 years after menarche, the frequency of cycles with ovulation (that is, cycles in which the egg matures) reaches 60%. In 1/3 of girls, the first 3 to 5 years after menarche, menstrual cycles are characterized by insufficiency of the corpus luteum, but most often the cycles are anovulatory. This explains the high incidence of dysfunctional uterine bleeding during puberty.

What factors influence puberty (onset of menstruation) and at what age do girls start menstruation?

It should be said that the time of onset and course of puberty is influenced by a large number of factors. These include hereditary factors (race, nation), constitutional factors, health status, and body weight.

For example, girls with a large body weight get their periods earlier, unlike their peers who have a lower body weight.

To the question, what time, on average, does a girl’s period begin, there is an answer: when she reaches a body weight of 47.8 +-0.5 kg, when the fat layer makes up 22% of the total body weight (on average 12 - 13 years )

In addition to the listed factors, the onset and course of sexual development are also influenced by other factors (external): climatic (illumination, altitude, geographical location) and a balanced diet (with a sufficient content of proteins, fats, carbohydrates, microelements and vitamins).

Also, sources can be diseases such as heart disease with heart failure, tonsillitis, severe gastrointestinal diseases with impaired absorption of nutrients, insufficiency of kidney function, and insufficiency of liver function. All these conditions weaken the girl’s body, inhibiting the normal course of puberty.

How many days does the first period last?

According to the World Health Organization, in 38% of girls the menstrual cycle from menarche to second menstruation lasted more than 40 days, in 10% - more than 60 days, in 20% - 20 days.

The duration of the first menstruation ranges from 2 to 7 days, but it can last longer, up to 2 weeks, and on average a girl uses from 3 to 6 pads. But usually girls' first periods are heavy and long.

What does Doctor Komarovsky say?

An article by the famous children's doctor O.E. Komarovsky states that the final establishment of the menstrual cycle takes from 8 to 12 years and for a large number of adolescents its duration is from 21 to 45 days.

The first three years, the menstrual cycle is on average 28 - 35 days, but with age it shortens, which is associated with the work of the ovaries.

Highlight the following fluctuations in the menstrual cycle in adolescents:

• the first year after menarche - 23 - 90 days;
• fourth year - 24 - 50 days;
• seventh year - 27 - 38 days.

All this suggests that the menstrual cycle, individual for each girl, is finally established by the age of 19 - 20 and should not begin and end the same for everyone!

It should be noted that there are signs and conditions that should alert parents and force them to promptly consult a specialist.

These include:

• absence of menstruation for 6 months;
• symptoms of endocrine system disorder (diabetes, obesity);
• polycystic ovaries;
• active sports (which is common among 12-year-old girls);
• loss or lack of appetite, or vice versa, when girls’ appetite begins to increase rapidly;
• taking certain medications, drugs;
• tumors of the pituitary gland, ovaries, adrenal glands;
• blood diseases.

Exist menstrual irregularities:

• amenorrhea when there are no periods for more than 3 months (it is worth saying that there is a physiological absence of periods during pregnancy and breastfeeding, and in other cases amenorrhea is pathological and requires treatment);
• oligomenorrhea- the interval between menstruation is more than 35 days;
• polymenorrhea— the period is less than 22 days;
• hypomenorrhea-duration of bleeding less than 3 days;
• hypermenorrhea- more than 7 - 10 days;
• menorrhagia when bleeding continues for 10 - 14 days or more;
• opsomenorea- infrequent periods with an interval of more than 35 days and scanty periods.

Stress has a great influence on the menstrual cycle. If a girl is constantly exposed to stress (at home, at the institute when taking a test), her periods may be delayed, scanty or completely absent; this is the so-called stress amenorrhea.

It should be noted that menstruation can begin earlier than twelve years, at the age of 8 years, the so-called early menstruation. This will not be considered a pathology if the girl’s mother or grandmother had the same thing (there is a genetic factor), however, such an early onset of menstruation may be a sign of pathology (concomitant diseases, stress, pituitary tumors and others).

And it happens that the first menstruation begins later: at the age of 16 - 18 years. The reasons for the late onset of menstruation may be underweight, pituitary tumors, previous infectious diseases (measles, rubella), stress, and psycho-emotional stress.

What is better to use: pads or tampons?

When our grandmothers had their periods, they used gauze and rags, then washed them and used them again.

In the modern world, a huge number of pads and tampons have been developed and put into widespread use.

This is really very convenient, because using them allows you to continue to lead an active life without fear that something will leak somewhere. The question remains what is better to use: tampons or pads.

It must be said that the use of pads is safer than tampons, because when using cotton cylinders, safety and hygiene measures must be observed.

A tampon can be left in the vagina for no more than 2 hours, and longer use creates a favorable environment for the growth of pathogens.

1. Since a girl’s first blood may appear not at 12 years old, but at 11 years old, and sometimes at 10 years old, it is necessary to tell the girl about menstruation in advance.
2. It is necessary to take a closer look at the child to see how actively he shows interest in “forbidden” topics.
3. You need to find suitable literature that explains in accessible language how to tell a girl about menstruation and at what age they should start (books, magazines, video lectures).

Common questions from teenage girls: “Does it hurt?”, “How much discharge is there?”, “How long does the first period last?”

Try to explain that the harbingers of the first menstruation are unpleasant sensations and moderate nagging pain in the lower abdomen. Discharge flows out evenly, sometimes in the form of clots, lasting several days (for example, if menstruation began on December 1, then her next period will begin on December 28).

When a girl approaches 11-12 years of age, she begins to wait for her period. During this period, you can purchase hygiene products - pads or tampons. If the girl is not yet sexually active, then these will, of course, be pads. It is necessary to explain to the girl that the pads need to be changed every 3-4 hours or as they get dirty, take a shower twice a day (morning and evening) and wash each time the pad is changed.

In addition, explain to the girl that the onset of menstruation indicates that there is a possibility of pregnancy and from this stage the girl should take more responsibility for her health and life.

Period- This is the most important indicator of women's health. By the nature of the discharge, the volume of blood and other signs that appear on menstrual days, you can learn a lot about the state of a woman’s health. Regular periods are proof that a woman has no problems with the reproductive system. If menstruation has arrived, it means that the woman has not become pregnant, which is extremely important for those who are afraid of an unwanted pregnancy. If a woman menstrual cycle regular, which means she has not yet reached menopause, during which the body stops producing the most important hormones for the cardiovascular system. Menstruation helps the body get rid of excess iron, the excess of which can lead to the most unpleasant disease - hemochromatosis.

How do normal periods proceed?

Menstruation occurs individually for each representative of the fair sex. The most important conditions are a regular cycle and the absence of discomfort during menstruation. In this case, the woman’s health is fine. It is impossible to determine the exact norm for women: after all, everyone’s body is unique. The abundance of discharge or its scarcity may depend on a variety of factors: women’s habits, dietary habits, lifestyle, heredity, etc. It is important to comply.

Discharge: volume, character

It is normal to change the gasket 3-4 times during the day. This amount may vary depending on the girl’s physique and her lifestyle. For example, if a girl is fragile and petite, then she may have less discharge. Also, if she plays sports or dances actively, the discharge also decreases. There should not be less than 30 ml per day menstrual blood, if this day is not the last day of menstruation. The discharge should not be spotty or brown. If a girl changes her pad every hour or every 2 hours, she should immediately contact a specialist. Particular attention should be paid to blood clots that appear during menstruation. In the first 2 days they may be present, and this is considered normal, but if the clots are large, you should also consult a doctor. A normal menstrual cycle lasts on average 28 days, but within the normal range the cycle ranges from 21 to 34 days.

Normal symptoms during menstruation

During menstruation, the female body undergoes several changes. After all, this process includes the nervous and endocrine systems. Women's appetite may increase during menstruation. Knowledge about . These days also affect your emotional state. Menstruation sometimes provokes mood swings; a woman can become especially irritable these days. Don’t forget about the cramps that appear in the first 2 days. Headaches are also possible, but usually mild. The skin also undergoes changes, and acne often appears these days. The chest becomes sensitive to touch. During menstruation, problems with sleep occur. The abdomen may become swollen and there may be swelling.

Pain during menstruation

If menstruation proceeds normally, then it should not cause severe and unbearable pain. It is quite possible that a woman will experience discomfort, pain in the lumbar region and lower abdomen, but these sensations should not cause serious discomfort and affect the woman’s life these days. Pain usually appears in the first 2 days. If you have severe pain, you should consult a specialist. The smell from the vagina, which can be felt during menstruation, is also considered quite natural. But it should not be harsh, associated with a fishy smell. In this case, consultation with a specialist is necessary.

A woman should take care of her health and know what periods are normal. It is imperative to visit a gynecologist regularly, even if a woman seems to have no problems in the intimate sphere. Checking will never be superfluous.

Over the course of a calendar month, a woman’s body undergoes cyclical changes that culminate in menstruation. From the first day they begin to count the new menstrual cycle.

Menstruation (periods, critical days) is the main stage of puberty in girls. This is one of the many physical signs that a girl is turning into a woman.

Some girls can't wait for it to start. Others may feel afraid or anxious. Many girls (and most guys!) don't have a full understanding of the function of the female reproductive system and what actually happens during the menstrual cycle. This can make the process even more mysterious.

Everything that happens during menstruation depends on the rhythmic release of sex hormones and pituitary hormones.

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1. First period

Puberty begins no earlier than 9 years of age. This does not mean that your first period will come at this age.

First, the girl’s body must prepare and go through the following stages:

1. 1 The appearance of pubic hair, almost simultaneously hair begins to grow in the armpits.
2. 2 Growth and development of the mammary gland.
3. 3 Menarche is the first menstruation.

Sometimes changes in the mammary gland occur before pubic hair begins to grow. It takes about two years from the start of breast growth to the appearance of the first menstruation. A girl's first period appears at about 13 years of age.

About six months before, the girl may notice an increase in the amount of discharge; this is normal. There is no need to worry if the discharge does not have an unpleasant odor and does not cause itching or burning.

Sometimes puberty occurs at a slower pace, then menstruation may begin at 14-15 years of age.

It is necessary to consult a doctor if you do not have periods at the age of 15, and other signs of puberty are not expressed.

2. What periods are considered normal?

Menstruation is bleeding that occurs due to the shedding of the inner lining of the uterus. Bleeding can last from 3 to 7 days, most often 4-5.

The duration of a full cycle from the beginning of one menstruation to the next is on average 28 days. Shortening the cycle to 21 days or increasing it to 35 days is not considered a deviation.

During menstruation, about 30-80 ml of blood is lost. This amount of blood loss does not affect the general condition and well-being. The body manages to compensate for blood loss by diluting the blood and releasing additional blood cells from the depot.

Menstrual discharge contains parts of the endometrium and epithelial cells; they differ in appearance from any other bleeding.

The blood itself is dark in color and does not clot. In the first few days, it contains mucous blood cords and clots - remnants of the inner lining of the uterus. In the last days of menstruation, only blood is released. It is gradually becoming smaller.

The amount of blood loss can be determined independently by the fullness of sanitary pads. If one pad lasts more than 2 hours, then there is nothing to worry about.

They need to be changed at least every 3-4 hours. Blood is a good breeding ground for bacteria, so a rare change of hygiene products can lead to the development of an inflammatory process (vulvovaginitis).

During this period, your health may deteriorate: pain and cramps in the lower abdomen and lower back, dizziness and headache, and weakness. Paracetamol and ibuprofen, which your doctor may prescribe, will relieve these symptoms. A warm heating pad and a warm shower will also help get rid of cramps.

Some girls feel a deterioration in their condition a few days before the onset of menstruation. In this case, signs appear that are combined into the concept:

1. 1 Breast engorgement.
2. 2 Headache.
3. 3 Changes in mood.
4. 4 Tearfulness.
5. 5 Sometimes – aggression.
6. 6 Digestive disorders, constipation, bloating.
7. 7 Sleep disorders.

The severity of these symptoms can vary - from slight discomfort and heaviness in the chest on the eve of menstruation to serious disorders that force you to change your lifestyle and social activity.

They do not require special treatment, and in severe cases, you cannot do without the help of a doctor. Usually all unwanted symptoms disappear with the onset of menstruation.

3. Deviations from the norm

Menstruation is a reflection of the health of the female body. If the duration, regularity and volume of blood loss are not within the normal range, you need to look for the reasons and eliminate them.

Girls need to remember the date of their first menstruation and monitor their body. For most, it takes about a year for a normal cycle to develop; sometimes this process can take longer. In this case, you should not postpone your visit to the doctor.

The period between bleeding may initially vary; it may lengthen or shorten. The amount of bleeding sometimes ranges from scanty spotting for a couple of days to intense bleeding.

Pay attention to the following symptoms that may be signs of illness:

1. 1 The menstrual cycle lasts more than 35 or less than 21 days.
2. 2 In the middle of the cycle there are .
3. 3 Irregular periods, there are no equal spaces between them.
4. 4 Excessive discharge, one pad only lasts for 2 hours.
5. 5 The bleeding continues more than 7 days.
6. 6 No periods for more than 3 months, and pregnancy is excluded.
7. 7 Arises lower abdomen.
8. 8 Increases during menstruation temperature.

A doctor's help is also necessary for severe premenstrual syndrome. In some girls, its symptoms appear long before menstruation, immediately after ovulation.

The doctor will conduct an examination, find out the causes and prescribe treatment that will help reduce the severity of discomfort.

4. What sets the rhythm?

The menstrual cycle of any woman is controlled by the pituitary gland, a special part of the brain whose cells produce hormones.

Over the course of three weeks, under the influence of pituitary hormones, changes occur in the ovaries and uterus. Menstruation completes the development of the endometrium. But it is from the first day of menstruation that a new cycle begins.



This is due to the fact that at this moment the concentration of all hormones is in the “starting” state. The amount of estrogen is reduced.

At this time, the pituitary gland secretes follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). It causes the follicles in the ovaries to grow and prepares the egg for maturation. Estrogen is also intensively produced there. They affect the inner lining of the uterus and lead to a gradual increase in the thickness of the mucous layer.

The pituitary gland also secretes luteinizing hormone (LH). In the middle of the cycle there is a sharp release. This provokes ovulation - the release of an egg from the follicle.

Then the level of LH decreases, but under its influence a corpus luteum is formed at the site of the burst follicle. This hormone is needed to maintain the function of the corpus luteum.

Cells of the corpus luteum secrete progesterone. This is a hormone that prepares the endometrium (the inner lining of the uterus) for pregnancy. The number of vessels and glands in it increases, it becomes suitable for the attachment of a fertilized egg.

So, over the course of a month, the body prepares for pregnancy. This is a natural process that occurs in a girl who has not yet matured mentally to have children.

When pregnancy does not occur, the reverse process begins:

1. 1 The corpus luteum “fades” and gradually disappears.
2. 2 The endometrial vessels are compressed.
3. 3 Blood flow and nutrition of the mucous membrane deteriorate.
4. 4 The blood flow to the uterus does not change.
5. 5 Blood separates the functional layer of the endometrium from the wall of the uterus; it leaves the body in the form of dark red, brownish strands and lumps.
6. 6 Various influences on the phases of the menstrual cycle can lead to irregular periods.

5. How to behave during menstruation?

Menstruation is a normal phenomenon in the body of any woman. This period should not significantly affect your lifestyle. But you need to follow some rules so that problems do not arise during your period.

Hygiene is an important issue. This includes a daily shower and change of linen. Girls can use pads and sanitary tampons.

Modern pads for critical days are thin multi-layer napkins, the bottom oilcloth layer of which reliably protects the linen. They differ in the degree of absorption and size. They are changed, regardless of how full they are, at least every 3-4 hours. Why can't you do this less often?

There is a gap between the pad and the vaginal opening. Menstrual blood flows freely and drips onto the pad, but can stain the skin of the perineum and linger on the vulva.

Blood is a breeding ground for bacteria, and increased humidity and heat create favorable conditions for their reproduction. The degree of microbial contamination on the vulva is very high, so menstrual blood is quickly decomposed by bacteria. A pungent odor appears. Therefore, rarely changing pads is unhygienic.

Girls can also use tampons. They will not damage the hymen. For virgins, special tampons of minimal size are suitable.

Under the influence of estrogen, the hymen tissue softens and becomes slightly folded, so it does not interfere with the insertion of a tampon. Its use may be difficult only if there is an abnormal development of the hymen or vagina.

The tampon needs to be replaced every 3-4 hours, the maximum allowable time for its presence is 7-8 hours. If you change a dry tampon too often, mechanical irritation of the vagina will occur. Changing swollen tampons less frequently can cause infection and toxic shock.

In addition to hygiene, many girls are interested in the question of playing sports on menstruation days. There are no absolute contraindications to this. On the contrary, moderate physical exercise can reduce the severity of pain and keep the body in good shape.

In the first two days, when bleeding is most pronounced. You should not lift heavy objects or visit the bathhouse or sauna these days. Properly selected tampons will not interfere with swimming, dancing and training.

6. Sexual life and pregnancy

For some girls, the onset of sexual activity is between 14 and 16 years of age. Most likely, none of them wants to become a mother at this age, so you need to remember about contraception.

Don't forget about the possibility of pregnancy. Sometimes ovulation occurs not on days 12-14 of the cycle, but earlier. Sperm can remain viable for up to 3 days, so sex during menstruation can result in pregnancy.

Sex without a condom is dangerous. The cervix during menstruation does not protect against the penetration of bacteria into the body of the uterus and appendages. Inflammation that develops in these areas can cause infertility.

After the first menstruation, girls begin to truly grow up and become more responsible for their health. Therefore, if you have any questions or concerns, you should contact your gynecologist.

Menstruation is the main indicator of women's health. Every girl should mark the beginning and end of her period on a monthly calendar in order to notice any deviations in time.

In order not to miss possible symptoms of various diseases, all women should definitely know how their periods normally go. We will tell you about this in this article.

How should a normal period go?

Each girl experiences her critical days differently. However, there are norms, deviation from which may be caused by the presence of pathologies of the woman’s reproductive organs or serious diseases.

So, normally, menstrual flow lasts from 3 to 7 days. In the first two days, bleeding may be profuse, but on the remaining days it may be scanty. In addition, special attention should be paid to the duration. A lunar cycle of 28 days is considered ideal, but any deviations between 3 and 5 weeks are considered acceptable.

A woman’s daily blood loss can range from 20 to 50 grams, and during the entire period of her critical days, a girl should not lose more than 250 grams of blood.

How do girls experience their first periods?

Typically, at the age of 11-16 years, a girl experiences her first menstruation. Modern teenagers are already quite well prepared for changes in the functioning of their body, and they are not afraid of the appearance of spotting. However, a mother must tell her daughter about the physiological characteristics of the female sex.

Most often, the first menstruation is quite scanty. The total blood loss on these days ranges from 50 to 150 grams, with the most abundant discharge observed on the second day. Many girls report feeling unwell, weak and uncomfortable in the lower abdomen.

A girl's menstrual cycle can be irregular for 2 years, and the breaks between critical days can be up to 6 months.

How are the first periods after childbirth?

After childbirth, menstruation usually occurs no later than 2 months from the date of termination of breastfeeding; in some women, menstruation begins during the period of feeding the child. In most cases, postpartum periods are the same as before pregnancy. However, sometimes young mothers note that menstrual flow has become more scanty.

How do menstruation go during menopause?

At the age of 47-49, most women experience menopause. During this period, reproductive function gradually decreases, which subsequently leads to a complete cessation of menstrual flow. The total duration of menopause can be about 5-7 years. Menstruation during this period becomes less abundant, and each time their duration decreases. The duration of the menstrual cycle is usually also reduced, but sometimes, on the contrary, it can increase.

How many days a woman’s menstruation lasts is influenced by many factors, including the physiological characteristics of the body and lifestyle. Significant deviations from the norm and instability of the menstrual cycle are symptoms of diseases of the reproductive system. Only a gynecological examination will help determine the cause of the disorders. You should not put off visiting a doctor in the hope that everything will get better on its own. An advanced disease is more difficult to treat, and its consequences can be serious.

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Normal and pathological menstruation in women of reproductive age

The normal duration of menstrual bleeding should be 3-7 days. The body is weakened these days due to blood loss. The woman quickly gets tired and feels weak. A headache occurs. All these ailments are normal, they do not last long and disappear with the end of menstruation. Normal menstruation is characterized by the release of blood with a total volume of 50 to 80 ml.

In a healthy woman, the cycle length ranges from 21 days to 35 days. Moreover, menstruation occurs at approximately constant intervals with a maximum deviation of 2-4 days.

The presence of pathology in the body can be assumed in cases where menstruation lasts 2 days and less or more than 7 days, the volume of discharge is less than 40 ml or more than 80-100 ml. If spotting brown discharge appears before and after menstruation, increasing the number of critical days, this is also a violation.

A normal cycle should not be shorter than 21 days or longer than 35 days. Its beginning is considered the first day of menstruation.

Factors influencing the duration of menstruation

How long your period lasts depends on the following factors:

1. Heredity. For some, menstruation lasts 10 days or even more in the absence of any pathologies. This duration is typical for women of this family.
2. The presence of inflammatory and infectious diseases of the reproductive organs, benign neoplasms (fibroids, polyps, cysts), malignant tumors of the uterus and ovaries. With these diseases, the structure of the mucous membranes of organs is disrupted, damage to blood vessels and tissues occurs, as a result of which menstruation becomes more abundant and lasts longer.
3. Ovarian dysfunction. The cause of this condition can be both diseases of the genital organs and frequent abortions, the use of an intrauterine device, and uncontrolled use of hormonal drugs. With ovarian dysfunction due to insufficient production of sex hormones, menstruation lasts 2 days or less.
4. Deviations in the functioning of the thyroid, pancreas, pituitary gland, adrenal glands - organs responsible for the state of hormonal levels in the body.

In addition, the number of critical days is sharply reduced with intense physical activity (sports, weight lifting). Nervous stress, psychological trauma, and depression cause heavy menstrual bleeding that lasts for 10-14 days.

Fasting and vitamin deficiency lead to hormonal shifts, a reduction in the duration of menstruation or their complete cessation. Smoking, alcohol abuse, drug use, and exposure to an unfavorable environment lead to the same result.

Video: How long does a normal period last?

How long do teenage girls menstruate?

At the age of 12-15, girls experience their first menstruation. During this period, hormonal changes begin in the body associated with the maturation of the ovaries. The first menstruation comes irregularly, with delays of several months. This happens within 1-2 years. The volume of menstruation can fluctuate significantly.

It is difficult to say how many days teenage girls should menstruate until their character is finally established. Their duration can vary significantly, but gradually it returns to normal and is usually 3-5 days. After this, the girl needs to start a special calendar to mark the start and end day of her period.

If any deviations appear (menstruation does not come, ends too quickly, or, conversely, lasts longer than last time), there is no need to panic. There can be many reasons: overwork, dieting, sports overload, teenage mental imbalance, change of environment. Such violations will disappear after their cause is eliminated.

But if the disturbances are persistent, or menstruation is too painful, then you should definitely consult a doctor. Such symptoms indicate the presence of diseases of the reproductive organs and other body systems.

Video: Menstruation in girls and adult women

Menstruation during pregnancy

Once pregnant, most women's periods disappear, but sometimes they come at their usual time, which may cause the woman to not realize that she is pregnant. If menstruation came only during the first 30 days of pregnancy, this is explained by the fact that fertilization occurred at the very end of the menstrual cycle, when the endometrium had already partially exfoliated. Bloody discharge is scanty.

In rare cases, simultaneous maturation of eggs in both ovaries occurs. One of them is fertilized, and the second is brought out. In this case, slight bleeding occurs, which may look like scanty periods that last for 1-2 days.

If during pregnancy during the first 3-4 months menstruation is scanty and short in duration, this may be the result of an incomplete cessation of hormone production in the ovaries, which is explained by the physiological characteristics of the body. But in any case, you should not calm down, since most often the appearance of bloody discharge during pregnancy portends a miscarriage or indicates endocrine disorders in the body.

Warning: If any bleeding occurs, a pregnant woman should immediately consult a doctor. You may need to be hospitalized for several days to maintain the pregnancy.

How long do you miss your period after childbirth?

The timing of the first menstruation after childbirth depends on the nature of its course and general health. If a woman is breastfeeding, she does not have periods during the entire period of lactation. If for some reason the child is transferred to artificial feeding immediately after birth, then the woman’s period begins after about 12 weeks.

In the absence of complications, most often the menstrual cycle becomes more stable. If earlier your periods were too heavy and long, then after childbirth the indicators are close to normal. Menstruation becomes painless and less intense. This is due to a change in the position of the uterus, improving the outflow of blood from it. How long your period lasts depends on the nature of the hormonal changes that have occurred. They usually last from 3 to 5 days.

How many days does menstruation last during menopause?

Menopause (complete cessation of menstruation) occurs in women at approximately 48-50 years of age. After 40 years, the production of sex hormones in the ovaries begins to gradually decline, and the supply of eggs is depleted. Ovulation does not occur in every cycle. All this is reflected in the nature of menstruation. They come irregularly, the duration changes with each cycle. After heavy bleeding that does not stop for 8 days, there may be a long pause (2 months or more), followed by scanty spotting brown periods that disappear after 2 days. Then they stop altogether.

Addition: If spotting was absent for 1 year and then reappeared, it is no longer menstruation. Bleeding of any duration and intensity during the postmenopausal period is a sign of hormonal imbalance, endocrine diseases, or the occurrence of tumors of the uterus or ovaries. It is necessary to urgently contact medical specialists (gynecologist, endocrinologist, oncologist) to identify the pathology.

Menstruation while using oral contraceptives

Birth control pills contain female sex hormones, estrogens and progesterone. Their action is aimed at suppressing ovulation by changing their natural ratio in the body. Within 1-3 months after starting to take the pills, the body adapts to the new hormonal levels. In this case, the nature of menstruation may change compared to usual. How many days menstruation lasts in this case and what its intensity depends on the chosen remedy. They can become abundant and long-lasting, or, on the contrary, they can be scanty and short-lived.

If after 3 months the nature of menstruation does not return to normal, you should consult a gynecologist. You may need to choose a different drug.

Video: Gynecologist about the consequences of using hormonal drugs