Abdominal, or menstrual, cramps are also called primary dysmenorrhea. Abdominal cramps can start in the days leading up to your period and last for several days or longer after it starts. The cramps may range in severity from dull, minor aches to extreme pain that stops you from participating in your usual activities. Menstrual cramps are felt in the lower abdomen. The achy, cramping feeling may also radiate out toward your lower back and upper thighs.
Uterine contractions cause menstrual cramps. The production of hormone-like lipids called prostaglandins trigger these contractions. Although these lipids cause inflammation, they also help regulate ovulation and menstruation. Some people experience their most intense cramping while their menstrual flow is at its heaviest. Around half of all women notice an increase in acne about a week before their period starts.
Menstruation-related breakouts often erupt on the chin and jawline but can appear anywhere on the face, back, or other areas of the body. These breakouts occur from the natural hormonal changes associated with the female reproductive cycle.
If no pregnancy takes place when you ovulate, estrogen and progesterone levels decline and androgens, such as testosterone, increase slightly. When too much sebum is produced, acne breakouts can result. Period-related acne often dissipates near the end of menstruation or shortly afterward when estrogen and progesterone levels start to climb. During the first half of the menstrual cycle which starts on the first day of your period estrogen levels start to increase.
This stimulates growth of the milk ducts in your breasts. Progesterone levels start to rise in the middle of your cycle around ovulation. This makes the mammary glands in your breasts enlarge and swell. These changes cause your breasts to get an achy, swollen feeling right before or during your period.
This symptom may be slight for some. Others find their breasts become very heavy or lumpy, causing extreme discomfort. As your period approaches, your body shifts gears from getting ready to sustain a pregnancy to getting ready to menstruate. Hormonal levels plummet, and fatigue is often the result. Changes in mood may also make you feel tired. On top of all that, some women have trouble sleeping during this part of their menstrual cycle.
Lack of sleep can exacerbate daytime fatigue. Changes in estrogen and progesterone levels can cause your body to retain more water and salt than usual. That results in a bloated feeling. Many people get relief from this symptom two to three days after their period starts. Often the worst bloating occurs on the first day of their cycle. Since your bowels are sensitive to hormonal changes, you may experience alterations in your typical bathroom habits before and during your period.
The prostaglandins that cause uterine contractions to occur can also cause contractions to take place in the bowels. You may find you have more frequent bowel movements during menstruation. There is a lot to learn about periods. Here are some common questions that kids have. There are some signs that a girl's period may start soon. These include: She's worn a bra for a few years. She has hair under her arms and in her private parts.
She has some clear, stringy liquid called discharge coming from her vagina. Why Do Girls Get Periods? How Long Do Periods Last? Periods usually last about 5 days. But a period can be shorter or last longer. How Often Does a Period Happen? Most girls use a pad when they first get their period. Pads are made of cotton and come in lots of different sizes and shapes.
They have sticky strips that attach to the underwear. Many girls prefer to use tampons instead of pads, especially when playing sports or swimming.
A tampon is a cotton plug that a girl puts into her vagina. Most tampons come with an applicator that guides the tampon into place. The tampon absorbs the blood. Don't leave a tampon in for more than 8 hours because this can increase your risk of a serious infection called toxic shock syndrome. The tampon should remain inside your vagina. Tampons must be changed every eight hours at most.
Leaving a tampon in for more than eight hours can increase your risk for irritation or infection as a result of the bacteria present. Menstrual cups are another option. Similar to tampons, cups are inserted into the vagina where they collect blood before it exits the body.
Cups typically come in two size options — small or large — that are based on overall age and experience with childbirth. The insertion process is similar to that of a tampon.
Although your product should come with step-by-step directions, you can also check out our guide to insertion and removal. Unlike pads or tampons, most cups are reusable. Cups must be changed every 12 hours at most. Leaving a cup in for more than 12 hours can increase your risk for irritation or infection as a result of the bacteria present.
Depending on the brand, reusable cups can last anywhere from 6 months to 10 years with proper care. Dorfner M. Menstrual cups vs. If you can, keep a couple of stain wipes in your bag. The only time someone might be able to smell the blood is if you leave your pad or period underwear on for longer than recommended.
Remember, scented panty liners and other menstrual products can irritate your vulva. You should avoid using these. You definitely can swim and participate in other physical activities during your period. In fact, exercise may help reduce cramping and discomfort. Although cramps serve a purpose — they help your body release the uterine lining — they can be uncomfortable.
You may be able to find relief by :. If your cramps are so severe that you feel nauseous, are unable to get out of bed, or are otherwise unable to participate in everyday activities, talk to a trusted adult. They can take you to see a doctor to discuss your symptoms. In some cases, severe cramping may be a symptom of another underlying condition, such as endometriosis. You may not experience these symptoms every time you have your period. Your period is a part of your menstrual cycle.
This means that, with time, your period will usually be on a predictable pattern. The average menstrual cycle is about 28 days. Some people have one that lasts 21 to 45 days. It may take up to 6 years after your first period for menstruation to occur at a regular interval. Although it may take a couple of years for your period to settle into a predictable rhythm, you may still find it helpful to track your symptoms. You can also use this information to talk to your school nurse or other healthcare provider about severe cramps or other concerns.
To do this, mark the day your period started and the day it ended on your phone or paper calendar. As a general rule, your next period will probably start three to four weeks after the last one ended. Fitbits also have a period tracking option. Most people will have a menstrual period until they go through menopause. Menopause occurs when the hormones that increased to trigger your first period begin to decrease.
If you begin experiencing any unusual symptoms alongside a missed period, talk to a doctor or other healthcare provider. If you want to stop having a period, you may consider talking to your healthcare provider about hormonal birth control.
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