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The Intricacies of Menstruation and Beyond
Menstruation is a natural biological process experienced by individuals with a uterus. It typically begins during puberty and continues until menopause, marking the body’s monthly preparation for a potential pregnancy. Despite being a routine part of life for billions, period is still often surrounded by misinformation and stigma. This comprehensive guide aims to shed light on everything you need to know about your pi, including abnormal menstruation types, managing period pain, and choosing the right menstrual cups.
Understanding Menstruation
The menstrual cycle is typically 21 to 35 days long, with menstruation lasting between 2 to 7 days. It involves hormonal changes that prepare the uterine lining for pregnancy.
If pregnancy does not occur, the lining is shed through the vagina.
To accurately calculate the duration of the menstrual cycle, it is necessary to start the calculation from the first day of bleeding and continue until the first day of subsequent bleeding. The calculation of the duration of menstruation itself also begins on the day of the appearance of spotting, regardless of the amount of discharge, and ends on the last day of the appearance of spotting.
The amount of menstrual blood loss may vary among women, but it should not exceed 80 milliliters (ml) per menstrual period. Typically, the heaviest days of menstruation occur during the 2-3 day period of the menstrual cycle. During these days, women may notice the presence of menstrual clots, which is a normal occurrence.
How To Know If I’m Bleeding
Let’s address this very important question. Because if you have bleeding, you should immediately seek medical attention.
First of all, any bloody discharge unrelated to the menstrual cycle requires consultation with a gynecologist.
Now, how can you tell during menstruation if you’re experiencing bleeding?
It’s important to track the nature and, most importantly, the volume of the discharge. If the amount of discharge exceeds 20-30 ml per hour for 2 hours, if you notice that the discharge has become thinner or there are heavy large clots, these are signs of bleeding. In this case, it is necessary to seek medical attention immediately.
It is crucial to monitor the volume and nature of the discharge not to miss important symptoms of diseases. And with the use of menstrual cups, it has become much easier to do so. For example, Leia L can hold up to 28 ml, and if your cup fills up twice within 2 hours, it is a sign of bleeding.
🚩 Menstruation Red Flags. When to Be Concerned
It may be helpful to consult a healthcare provider if you experience:
- Cycles shorter than 21 days or longer than 35 days
- Bleeding that lasts longer than 7 days
- Needing to change pads or tampons every hour for several hours
- Missing periods (amenorrhea) or extremely irregular cycles
- Severe pain or symptoms that interfere with daily life
8 Types of Abnormal Menstruation
While variations in menstrual cycles are normal, certain patterns may indicate underlying health issues. Here are eight types of abnormal menstruation to be aware of:
Amenorrhea – The absence of menstruation. Primary amenorrhea refers to when a person has not started menstruating by age 15. Secondary amenorrhea is when periods stop for six months or more in someone who previously had regular cycles.
Menorrhagia – Excessively heavy or prolonged menstrual bleeding. This can interfere with daily life and may lead to anemia.Unlike abnormal uterine bleeding, this condition indicates an increase in discharge while maintaining the regular pattern and duration of menstrual periods.Next type of abnormal menstruation is
Oligomenorrhea – Infrequent menstruation, typically defined as cycles that occur more than 35 days apart.
Polymenorrhea – Frequent periods, occurring less than 21 days apart.
Dysmenorrhea – Severe menstrual cramps and pain that can disrupt normal activities.
Hypomenorrhea – Extremely light menstrual bleeding.
Metrorrhagia (AUB- abnormal uterine bleeding) – Bleeding that occurs at irregular intervals, outside of the regular menstrual cycle.
Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) and PMDD – While PMS is common, severe cases may be diagnosed as premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), which can include emotional and physical symptoms.
Severe premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is characterized by the exacerbation of such symptoms as irritability, mood swings, aggression, fatigue, bloating, headaches, abdominal and back pain, as well as changes in appetite. These symptoms can make a woman’s life unbearable and daily tasks difficult.
For more detailed insights into the different types of abnormal menstruation, red flags during your period, and other essential information about women’s health, visit our blog.
Seek medical attention immediately if you experience the following symptoms:
- Very severe abdominal, chest or head pain that doesn’t improve after taking painkillers.
- Vaginal bleeding that does not resemble normal menstruation and is very heavy.
- Heavy discharge with blood or pus.
- Sudden discomfort, weakness, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, and episodes of fainting.
- Fever above 38 degrees Celsius.
- Rapid heartbeat, difficulty breathing, and other signs of cardiovascular problems.
- Vision problems, seizures.
- High blood pressure or intracranial pressure.
- Mental disorders, depression, panic attacks.
Period Pain. Should You Endure It and How Can You Help Yourself?
According to statistics, period pain, known as dysmenorrhea, affects from 15 to 90% of women. The statistical data vary widely because only 15% seek medical attention, but when asked about experiencing menstrual pain, 90% respond positively.
There are 3 degrees of period pain:
- Mild
- Moderate
- Severe
In any case, you shouldn’t endure the pain. For mild pain, taking pain medication is an option. Additionally, the following methods can be highly effective:
- Self-massage techniques
- Warm showers or applying warmth to the lower abdomen
- Moderate physical activities (stretching, yoga, etc.)
- Orgasm
Maintaining proper hydration, temporary avoidance of coffee and carbonated drinks (which reduce discomfort in the intestines), and ensuring a proper sleep routine also help alleviate pain.
For moderate and severe degrees of pain, it is necessary to seek help from a specialist.
It’s often the case that the use of tampons during periods can exacerbate the pain syndrome. On the other hand, using a menstrual cup can contribute to reducing pain and improving overall well-being. Approximately 60% of our clients have reported a reduction in pain when using the Leia menstrual cup.
Menstruation Induction
Why would you need to do that, you might ask. Many of us would actually love to skip a few months of periods, without any consequences preferably. But, in actuality, missing a period, especially for women with cycle irregularities or those planning to get pregnant, can be very stressful. Some wish their period would start as soon as possible, while those planning a pregnancy hope for a delay to turn into two precious lines on the pregnancy test.
Sometimes, menstruation induction is necessary for medical reasons. For example, many tests need to be done on specific days of the cycle, and that’s when you might need to induce your period.
Don’t worry, no drums, shamans, or dances around fire are required. Though, there are many folk remedies and methods to do this. One common trick is choosing the color of underwear. Many girls notice that as soon as they wear white (or red) panties, their period starts that day. And of course, don’t forget about important days like weddings, public appearances, or long-awaited trips to the beach. On such days, your period will never miss its cue.
As for the doctors, they use progesterone drugs (progesterone is normally produced during the second phase of the menstrual cycle). With a specific schedule for taking the medication and then stopping it, the body mimics a state that triggers menstruation. After that, all necessary procedures are done. But this is a temporary fix, needed only a few times in life. If you have regular menstrual disorders and missed periods, it’s important to consult a specialist.
Interesting Facts About Menstruation
- The size of clots on a heavy day of periods can reach the size of a woman’s pinky finger.
- Many animals menstruate, but only humans experience pain, discomfort, PMS, and other unpleasant menstruation symptoms. No animal has ever suffered from menstruation))
- On average, a woman menstruates for 6.25 years over her lifetime.
- In the Middle Ages, period blood was used as a medicine.
- In 1946, Disney released an animated film about periods called “The Story of Menstruation.”
Menstrual Products Overview
| Product | Key Features | Pros | Cons | Best For |
| Menstrual Cup | Reusable silicone cup, sits lower in the vaginal canal | Compact, eco-friendly, suitable for virgins, easy to insert and remove. Best for all cervical positions | May cause pain if not fitted properly; | First-time silicone users, eco-conscious usersBest for all cervical positions |
| Menstrual Disc | Sits higher in the vaginal canal, larger capacity, reusable or disposable | Allows sex during period, high capacity | Wider diameter, steeper learning curveMay cause painNot for low cervix | Experienced users, heavy flow |
| Period Underwear | Absorbent fabric underwear worn during periods | Non-invasive, easy to use | Environmental impact from washing; less suitable for heavy flow | Home use, light to moderate days |
| Pads | External absorbent worn in underwear | Easy to use, widely available | Can be uncomfortable in heat, may cause irritation and odor, not eco-friendly | Beginners, light-moderate flow |
| Tampons | Absorbent material inserted into the vagina | Invisible under clothes, good for active lifestyle, variety of absorbencies | Risk of TSS, potential irritation, not biodegradable | Active users, people needing discretion |
Menstrual Cup vs Disc
Fit and Positioning: Cups sit lower in the vaginal canal, while discs rest in the vaginal fornix.
Comfort: Some find discs more comfortable as they conform more closely to the body’s shape.
Capacity: Discs can hold more fluid, making them ideal for heavy periods.
Sex: Discs can be worn during sex; cups cannot.
Insertion: Cups may be easier for beginners, while discs require more practice.
Both options have pros and cons, and personal preference plays a key role.
Environmental and Economic Impact
Menstrual cups and discs significantly reduce waste compared to disposable pads and tampons. A single menstrual cup can replace thousands of disposable products over its lifetime. While the upfront cost may be higher, the long-term savings are substantial.
Hygiene and Safety Tips
Wash hands before and after handling any menstrual product.
Sterilize menstrual cups and reusable discs between cycles.
Change or empty products every 4-12 hours depending on flow.
Avoid scented products that can disrupt vaginal pH.
Breaking the Stigma
Menstruation has long been surrounded by cultural taboos. Education and open discussion are vital in breaking the stigma. Talking openly about period products, pain, and challenges can help normalize the experience and support menstruating individuals.
Menstruation is a vital sign of reproductive health, and understanding it can empower individuals to take control of their bodies. From identifying the 8 types of abnormal menstruation to choosing between a menstrual cup vs disc, informed decisions make all the difference. Whether you’re seeking the best menstrual cup for heavy periods or exploring new ways to manage menstrual cup pain, knowledge is your best ally. Embrace your cycle, prioritize your comfort, and don’t hesitate to seek professional guidance when needed.