During puberty you get your period as a girl. From this moment you are fertile and you can become pregnant. The age at which your period starts varies per person and is between 11 and 16 years old. Another word for menstruation is menstruation.
On average once every four weeks, your uterus prepares to receive an egg from your ovaries. Your uterus does this by producing mucous membranes. If the egg is not fertilized, the mucous membrane and the egg will leave your body. This is why some days of bleeding come out of your vagina.
Your period usually lasts between 2 and 7 days. During the first few years that you menstruate, this can still be irregular. This is completely normal.
It is good to prepare for your first period. This way you know what to expect and you can see which ones menstrual products seem the nicest to use.
Because you hormones change you can experience a number of symptoms during your period. The symptoms are different for everyone. Some people have virtually no problems during menstruation, while others have worse than average complaints. If you suffer from the symptoms below, discuss this with someone you trust.
The most common symptoms are:
- Cramps in your abdomen (at the site of the uterus)
- Headache
- Load of the lower back
- Feeling sad or irritable
- Nausea
- Sore breasts
- perspire
- A bloated feeling
- Diarrhea
Take care of yourself when you're on your period. A hot water bottle or cup of tea will help soothe cramps. Exercise (not too intensive) also helps, but do what feels best for you.
Unfortunately, menstruation is still a taboo. Little is said about it, while 50% of the world's population experiences this every month. Your period is nothing to be ashamed of and something very beautiful. Talking about your period with friends, your mother or someone you trust can help you feel better and share advice.
In the video from school TV is clearly explained by means of an animation what a period is exactly.