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Period Education

Did You Know?

It's not likely, but you can still get pregnant on your period. | You are born with all the eggs you'll ever have. | Those who exercise a lot might have irregular periods or none at all. | The average woman has about 450 periods - about 10 years of her life! | You could use 11,000 tampons or pads in your lifetime!

Definitions

  • Uterus: Organ that nourishes a developing fetus or sheds its lining during your period when you are not pregnant.

  • Ovaries: Glands where eggs and female hormones are made.

  • Ovulation: Release of an egg from the ovary, which happens around the 14th day of the cycle, leaving the greatest risk of pregnancy for roughly 5 days on either side.

  • Menstruation: Monthly vaginal bleeding when the uterus sheds its lining (also known as menses or period).

  • PMS (Premenstrual Syndrome): Symptoms like headaches, fatigue, bloating, and irritability occurring 1-2 weeks before the period.

  • Vaginismus: An extreme involuntary tensing of the vaginal cavity which can make intercourse or even inserting a tampon painful or impossible. There are treatments that can help the muscles learn to relax.

The menstrual products and menstrual cycle

I Still Have Questions

​If you have a primary care doctor or gynecologist, they can provide valuable resources and guidance on menstrual health. Additionally, don't hesitate to seek advice from trusted family members like a sister, mother, or aunt. Openly discussing your period, even if it feels uncomfortable, is important. Remember, everyone’s experience is unique, so advocate for your own needs and seek the support that works best for you.

Am I Normal?

  • Cycles last 24-38 days; periods last 4-8 days. A little more or less isn’t abnormal, but if your cycle is irregular or your period lasts far longer, talk to a doctor.

  • Common ones include breast tenderness, cramps, constipation, irritability, bloating, fatigue, and headaches. Severe or long-lasting symptoms may need medical attention.

  • Many people crave certain foods during their periods, especially chocolate.

  • PMS (Premenstrual Syndrome) affects about 75% of women and includes symptoms like headaches, fatigue, bloating, and irritability. Symptoms usually occur 1-2 weeks before the period.

    PMDD (Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder) is a severe form of PMS with more extreme depression, tension, mood shifts, and lasting irritability.

  • Period pain is real. For some people, it’s just a discomfort, but for others, it can cause so much pain that they have a hard time moving, going to work, or otherwise doing their daily activities. If people in your life don’t believe the pain is real, send them here!

A Black woman displaying curiosity about menstrual health

About My Body

  • These are glands that produce eggs and hormones (estrogen and progesterone) that are important for female traits, the menstrual cycle, fertility, and pregnancy.

  • A hollow organ that nourishes a developing fetus.  The uterus sheds its lining during your period because it's not going to be used by a fertilized egg.

  • Caused by uterine contractions which are working to expel the lining.  In some people, higher levels of prostaglandins (hormone-like substances) cause more severe cramps.

  • In the week before and during your period, you might have breast tenderness, cramps, constiptation, irritability, bloating, fatigue, or headaches.  Severe or long-lasting symptoms may need a doctor's visit.

The anatomical model which provides  the information about the ovarian functions
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