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What happens in your body when you start menstruating?
| Bente Hagens |4 min reading time

tl;dr

During your period, your body sheds the uterine lining that had built up to receive a fertilized egg. This process is often accompanied by blood loss and symptoms such as abdominal pain, back pain, or fatigue.
In the first few years, your cycle is often irregular, but after about three years, it becomes more regular. Track your cycle in an app so you know what is normal for you and consult a doctor for abnormalities such as very irregular or heavy bleeding.

The first period of your period

The first year that you have your period, your period is often still irregular. It then comes back between 21 and 45 days and lasts a few days. Normally this stabilizes after about 3 years and you get a more regular cycle, as we call it. Your period will then return between 21 and 34 days. It is good to keep track of how this is going for you. Nowadays there are several apps for this that allow you to easily keep track of this on your phone.

 

When is it wise to go to your doctor?

If you have special complaints, it is wise to visit a doctor. They can better assess whether something is going on, and it helps if you have recorded your menstruation in an app. Possible deviations may include:

  • If your periods are still very irregular after 3 years.
  • If you used to have regular periods and now suddenly irregular.
  • When your period lasts longer than 7 days
  • If your period only comes once every 3 months or less.
  • If you have very heavy bleeding during your period.

 

The first signals that something is happening?

The first menstruation is quite exciting and occurs for most girls around the age of 11-13. A few years before the first menstruation, hormones start to become active in your body. In most girls, breast formation begins about 2 years before the first period occurs. Hormones also provide hair under the armpit and around the pubic area.

 

So what is menstruation?

When you start menstruating, it actually means that your body is fertile, this tells your body that it is ready to have a baby. Every month, approximately halfway through your cycle (between 2 periods), an egg is released from your fallopian tubes, ovulation or ovulation. That is the moment you are fertile. When sex takes place, a sperm from the man can fertilize the egg during this period of a few days. The fertilized egg then implants in the monthly reconstructed mucous membrane in your uterine wall. Here the egg can grow into an embryo and later into a baby. If the egg is not fertilized, the body will shed the built-up mucous membrane and the uterine wall will be cleaned again. This is accompanied by blood and is called menstruation. All these processes are controlled by your hormones, but we will talk about that another time.

 

What could be bothering you?

When you are menstruating you may suffer from the following complaints:

  • Abdominal pain and cramps
  • Lower back pain
  • Headache
  • Swollen, painful breasts
  • Intestinal complaints, diarrhea
  • Temper, short fuse
  • Fatigue

Some girls and women have almost no problems at all and others have many complaints when they menstruate. In general, it is good to get some rest during your period. Your state of mind often indicates that you feel like withdrawing a little more, so listen to that.

 

 

Sources: Menstruation (period) | The Gynecologist , Book “Beautiful Red is not ugly” by Paula Kragten.

 

Are you still looking for nice, comfortable and reliable menstrual products that are also good for the environment? Then take a look at our shop !

tl;dr

During your period, your body sheds the uterine lining that had built up to receive a fertilized egg. This process is often accompanied by blood loss and symptoms such as abdominal pain, back pain, or fatigue.
In the first few years, your cycle is often irregular, but after about three years, it becomes more regular. Track your cycle in an app so you know what is normal for you and consult a doctor for abnormalities such as very irregular or heavy bleeding.

veel gestelde vragen over het blog 'What happens in your body when you start menstruating?'
Why is my body suddenly starting to menstruate?

Because during puberty your hormones become active and your cycle starts.
• Your ovaries produce estrogen and progesterone.
• Your uterine lining builds up and is later shed: that is your period.
• This may take some time for your body to adjust to; irregularity is normal.
Why do I sometimes experience symptoms when I start menstruating?

Your uterus has to work harder during this phase.
• Contractions cause abdominal or back cramps.
• Hormonal fluctuations can affect your mood.
• Feeling extra tired or irritable is sometimes part of it.
Is it normal for my periods to be irregular at the beginning?

Yes, that's normal for many young people when they first start their period.
• Your hormones are still trying to find a rhythm.
• Sometimes your cycle skips a month or comes sooner than expected.
• Usually, it becomes regular on its own as you get older.
What helps me feel more confident when I don't know exactly when my period will start?

A little preparation brings a lot of peace of mind.
• Wear light absorbent period underwear at school or on the go.
• Prepare an emergency kit with extra underwear or period underwear.
• Talk to someone you trust about what you find stressful.
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