What is a menstrual cycle?
Your menstrual cycle is a monthly process your body goes through controlled by hormones like estrogen and progesterone.
If you have a uterus, your body is constantly preparing for a possible pregnancy even if you’re not trying to get pregnant. Refresh your knowledge on Anatomy.
What happens when on my period?
- Your ovaries (you usually have two) hold thousands of tiny eggs
- Each cycle, hormones help one egg mature
- Your uterus builds up a thick, nutrient-rich lining (basically a soft place for a fertilized egg to grow)
What is ovulation?
About halfway through your cycle, your body releases a mature egg. This is called ovulation.
Ovulation typically occurs around day 14 of a 28-day cycle. Most people don’t feel ovulation, but some might notice
- Mild cramps, bloating, light spotting
After it’s released, the egg travels through the fallopian tube toward the uterus.
What is a period?
If the egg isn’t fertilized, your body doesn’t need that thick uterine lining anymore. So it sheds. That’s your period: a mix of blood, tissue, and nutrients leaving your body through the vagina. Totally normal.
Fun fact: On average, only 2-3 tablespoons of blood are lost per period, which lasts 3 to 7 days.
Can you get pregnant on your period?
It can be possible. Since sperm can live in the body of someone with a uterus for up to 5-6 days. An egg lives about 24 hours after ovulation.
So if someone has sex during their period and ovulates soon after pregnancy can happen. Tracking your cycle (sometimes called the fertility awareness method) can help you understand your body, but it’s not always reliable on its own. Using birth control or barrier methods like condoms is a more effective way to prevent pregnancy.
Are all periods the same?
Not at all! Some people have regular cycles, others don’t. Especially when you’re younger, you period might come at different times each month. It also may be light one month and heavy the next or even change over time. All of that is normal.
Common menstrual conditions
Sometimes periods come with challenges. Below are a few conditions to know:
- Absent periods: missing your period for several months (can be linked to stress, hormones, or conditions like PCOS)
- Endometriosis: When tissue similar to the uterine lining grows outside the uterus and it can lead to a lot of pain. Read more about it in a previous blog.
- PMDD (premenstrual dysphoric disorder): A more intense form of PMS with serious emotional and physical symptoms that may affect your mental health
- Menorrhagia: Very heavy bleeding or periods lasting longer than a week
- Irregular periods: Cycles that don’t follow a pattern
When should you check in with a provider?
If your period is:
- Extremely painful, very heavy, missing for months, or just feels “off”
It’s a good idea to talk to a healthcare provider. Periods are a normal part of health, but everyone may experience it differently. You can also find a clinic near you where you can get connected with a provider that can support you.