21 Facts About Your Period You Should Know.

 21 Facts About Your Period You Should Know.

   

Understanding your menstrual cycle is essential for recognizing what is normal for your body and when to seek medical advice. Here are 21 important facts about menstruation:

1. The Average Menstruator has More Than 400 Periods in Their Lifetime
From the onset of menstruation until menopause, the average person who menstruates will experience around 450 periods. During this time, they may use between 12,000 and 15,000 menstrual products, such as pads and tampons.

2. Period Underwear Stains Have Happened to Everyone
Staining underwear during a period is a common experience; in fact, 54% of women surveyed reported ruining every pair of underwear they owned due to their period.

3. Sleeping with a Nightlight can Help Regulate Your Cycle
Research suggests that sleeping next to a night light during the last two weeks of your cycle can shorten irregular periods by an average of 12 days, although it’s recommended not to do this for the entire cycle.

4. You can be More Forgetful on Your Period
Hormonal fluctuations during menstruation can lead to symptoms like forgetfulness and decreased concentration. These changes are attributed to hormonal imbalances that occur throughout the cycle.

5. The Color of Your Menstrual Blood Could be Trying to Tell You Something
The color of menstrual blood varies throughout the period; bright red typically indicates a healthy flow, while other colors (like orange or purple) could signal health issues that may require medical attention.

6. Being in Water CAN Affect Your Flow
When submerged in water, menstrual bleeding continues but is suppressed due to water pressure. This means you might not bleed as freely while swimming or bathing but will likely notice increased bleeding upon exiting the water.

7. You Lose Around 60 ml of Blood Each Cycle
On average, individuals lose approximately 60 ml of blood per menstrual cycle, which equates to about two shot glasses worth of fluid.

8. Your Voice Can Change
Hormonal changes throughout the menstrual cycle can affect vocal cords, leading to noticeable changes in voice tone during different phases of the cycle.

9. The Average Period Lasts Between 3 to 7 Days
Most menstrual cycles last between three and seven days, with most individuals starting their periods between ages 12 and 15, continuing until menopause around age 51.

10. Different Period “Irregularities” Exist
Menstrual cycles typically range from 21 to 35 days, but some people experience irregularities such as amenorrhea (absence of periods), dysmenorrhea (painful periods), menorrhagia (heavy bleeding), and others.

11. It’s Usually OK To Use Birth Control To Skip Your Period
Certain hormonal birth control methods allow users to skip their periods safely by skipping placebo pills, which can help manage premenstrual symptoms effectively.

These facts highlight the complexity and variability of menstrual health, emphasizing the importance of understanding one’s own body and seeking medical advice when necessary.