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The Menstrual Cycle

Taken from: http://www.teenwire.com/index.asp?taStrona=http://www.teenwire.com/warehous/articles/wh_19981201p045.asp


Changes on the Inside
Hormones cause changes in your internal reproductive organs to get them ready to go through menstrual cycles and someday perhaps have a baby. At some point during puberty, you will start to have menstrual cycles and you will begin to get your monthly period. Most girls start having periods around the same age that their moms did, so you might want to ask your mom how old she was when she started. This is a good way to start talking to your mom about puberty.

Your first menstrual cycle starts inside where you can't see it, when an egg is released from your ovary. This is called ovulation. The ovaries usually release only one egg a month. The egg travels down the fallopian tube on its way to the uterus. It's hard to tell when this all happens, but it's usually about two weeks before you get your period.

In the meantime, the uterus has prepared itself by growing a thick inner lining of blood. This lining will be very important if you have a baby. If you have sex with a man and your egg is fertilized by his sperm, the fertilized egg may implant itself into this lining, and pregnancy will begin. Otherwise, the lining starts to come off after a few days and leaves your body as "menstrual flow" through the v****a. This is the "bleeding" that lasts about five to seven days and is called your "period."


Your Period
Periods are part of a monthly cycle that most healthy women's bodies go through during their reproductive years. You don't usually see or feel the rest of the cycle, so your period is an indicator that the cycle happened.

The menstrual flow is usually heaviest during the first few days. Some women get cramps before or during their periods. This is normal and usually goes away with Tylenol or ibuprofen. If you have a lot of cramping, you can get help from your health care provider. Some women feel irritable, bloated, or have any number of other symptoms before their period starts. These symptoms are temporary and are called "PMS," which stands for premenstrual syndrome.

At first, most women have "irregular" periods, meaning they don't have them every month, or at the same time from month to month. Most women become more regular after a year, although some women never do. Most women's cycles are between 28 and 32 days long. There are a few things that will make your period late:

- Stress — worrying about family problems or exams or other things
- Exercise — many female athletes have irregular periods
- Big changes in your life — taking a trip somewhere, moving
- Pregnancy — this is important to think about if you are sexually active, even if you use birth control.
- Birth control — hormonal methods of birth control (the Pill, implants and injections) can cause your periods to change or stop. This is something you should talk about with the person who prescribed your birth control.
- Illness — sometimes being sick or not feeling well can cause your period to be late.

Puberty is something everyone goes through and it can be a very uncomfortable, awkward, and lonely time. It is a good time to learn about your body and how it works. It is also a good time to start talking to your mom or dad about their experiences when they were your age. You can also talk a health care provider if you have questions that you don't want to ask your parents.

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This section is specifically about menstruation, specifically a girl's first period, and the information was taken from: http://kidshealth.org/teen/sexual_health/girls/menstruation.html

Menstruation (a period) represents a major stage of puberty in girls; it's one of the many physical signs that a girl is turning into a woman. And like a lot of the other changes associated with puberty, menstruation can be confusing for girls (and guys). Some girls can't wait to start their periods, whereas others may feel afraid or anxious. Many girls and guys don't have a complete understanding of a woman's reproductive system or what actually happens during the menstrual cycle, making the process seem even more mysterious.


Puberty and Periods
When girls begin to go through puberty (usually starting between the ages of 8 and 13), their bodies and minds change in many ways. The hormones in their bodies stimulate new physical development, such as growth and breast development. About 2 to 2 1/2 years after a girl's breasts begin to develop, she usually gets her first menstrual period.

About 6 months or so before getting her first period, a girl might notice an increased amount of clear vaginal discharge. This discharge is common. There's no need for a girl to worry about discharge unless it has a strong odor or causes itchiness.

The start of periods is known as menarche (pronounced: meh-nar-kee). Menarche doesn't happen until all the parts of a girl's reproductive system have matured and are working together.

Baby girls are born with ovaries, fallopian tubes, and a uterus. The two ovaries are oval-shaped and sit on either side of the uterus (womb) in the lowest part of the abdomen called the pelvis. They contain thousands of eggs, or ova. The two fallopian tubes are long and thin - like hollow strands of spaghetti (only a little bit thicker). Each fallopian tube stretches from an ovary to the uterus, a pear-shaped organ that sits in the middle of the pelvis. The muscles in a female's uterus are powerful and are able to expand to allow the uterus to accommodate a growing fetus and then help push the baby out during labor.

As a girl matures and enters puberty, the pituitary gland releases hormones that stimulate the ovaries to produce other hormones called estrogen and progesterone. These hormones have many effects on a girl's body, including physical maturation, growth, and emotions.

About once a month, a tiny egg leaves one of the ovaries - a process called ovulation - and travels down one of the fallopian tubes toward the uterus. In the days before ovulation, the hormone estrogen stimulates the uterus to build up its lining with extra blood and tissue, making the walls of the uterus thick and cushioned. This happens to prepare the uterus for pregnancy: If the egg reaches the uterus and is fertilized by a sperm cell, it attaches to the cushiony wall of the uterus, where it slowly develops into a baby.

If the egg isn't fertilized, though - which is the case during most of a girl's monthly cycles - it doesn't attach to the wall of the uterus. When this happens, the uterus sheds the extra tissue lining. The blood, tissue, and unfertilized egg leave the uterus, going through the v****a on the way out of the body. This is a menstrual period. This cycle happens almost every month for several more decades (except, of course, when a female is pregnant) until a woman reaches menopause and no longer releases eggs from her ovaries.


How Often Does a Girl Get Her Period?
Just as some girls begin puberty earlier or later than others, the same applies to periods. Some girls may start menstruating as early as age 9 or 10, but others may not get their first period until later in their teens. The amount of time between a girl's periods is called her menstrual cycle (the cycle is counted from the start of one period to the start of the next). Some girls will find that their menstrual cycle lasts 28 days, whereas others might have a 24-day cycle, a 30-day cycle, or even a 35-day cycle.

Irregular periods are common in girls who are just beginning to menstruate. It may take the body a while to sort out all the changes going on, so a girl may have a 28-day cycle for 2 months, then miss a month or have two periods with hardly any time in between them, for example. Usually, after a number of months, the menstrual cycle will become more regular. Many women continue to have irregular periods into adulthood, though.

As a girl gets older and her periods settle down - or she gets more used to her own unique cycle - she will probably find that she can predict when her period will come.


How Long and How Much?
The amount of time that a girl has her period also can vary. Some girls have periods that last just 2 or 3 days; other girls may have periods that last 7 days or longer. The menstrual flow - meaning how much blood comes out of the v****a - can vary widely from person to person, too. Some girls have such light blood flow that they wonder if they even have their period at all.

Other girls may be concerned that they're losing too much blood. It can be a shock to see all that blood, but it's highly unlikely that a girl will lose too much: For most girls an entire period consists of anywhere from a few spoonfuls to less than 1/2 cup (118 milliliters) of blood - it just looks like a lot! (It is possible for a girl to lose an excessive amount of blood during her period, but it's not at all common. In some cases, a female will bleed too much because she has a medical condition - such as von Willebrand disease.) The amount of blood a girl loses and how long her period lasts can differ from month to month.

If you're worried about your blood flow or whether your period is normal in other ways, talk to a doctor or nurse. Some changes in menstrual periods can be normal - but only a doctor can help determine the cause of irregular, heavy, or painful periods - or no periods at all.


Cramps, PMS, and Pimples
Some girls may notice physical or emotional changes around the time of their periods. Menstrual cramps are pretty common - in fact, more than half of all women who menstruate say they have cramps during the first few days of their periods. Doctors think that cramps are caused by prostaglandins, a chemical that causes the muscles of the uterus to contract.

Depending on the person, menstrual cramps can be dull and achy or sharp and intense, and they can sometimes be felt in the back or the thighs as well as the abdomen. These cramps often become less uncomfortable and sometimes even disappear completely as a girl gets older. In the meantime, many girls and women find that taking an over-the-counter pain medication like acetaminophen or ibuprofen can provide relief from menstrual cramps. Taking a warm bath or applying a warm heating pad to your lower abdomen can sometimes help, too. Exercising regularly throughout the monthly cycle may also help lessen cramps in some people. If these things don't help, ask your doctor for advice.

Some girls and women find that they feel depressed or easily irritated during the few days or week before their periods. Others may get angry more quickly than normal or cry more than usual. Some girls crave certain foods. These types of emotional changes may be the result of premenstrual syndrome, or PMS.

PMS is related to changes in the body's hormones. As hormone levels rise and fall during a woman's menstrual cycle, they can affect the way she feels, both emotionally and physically. Some girls, in addition to feeling more intense emotions than they usually do, notice physical changes along with their periods - some feel bloated or puffy because of water retention, others notice swollen and sore breasts, and some get headaches. PMS usually goes away soon after a period begins, but it can come back month after month. Doctors recommend that girls with PMS try to exercise to help feel better. And some girls notice that restricting caffeine intake may help relieve PMS.

It's not uncommon for girls to have an acne flare-up during certain times of their cycle; again, this is due to hormones. Fortunately, the pimples associated with periods tend to become less of a problem as girls get older.


Pads, Tampons, and Liners
Once you begin menstruating, you'll need to use something to soak up the blood - either a pad or a tampon. There are so many products out there that it may take some experimenting before you find the one that works best for you. Some girls use only pads (particularly when they first start menstruating), some use only tampons, and some girls switch around - tampons during the day and pads at night, for example. Girls who are very active, particularly girls who enjoy swimming, often find that tampons are the best option during sports.

Periods shouldn't get in the way of exercising, having fun, and enjoying life. If you have questions about pads, tampons, or coping with periods, ask a parent, health teacher, school nurse, or older sister. There are also a number of online resources that can give you answers to some of your most personal questions.

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This information on breast-size in teenagers is taken from: http://kidshealth.org/teen/question/just_girls/breast_size.html

Having different-sized breasts is perfectly normal. It's quite common for girls to have different-sized breasts or nipples, especially as they develop during puberty. Everyone's different, and no two women's breasts will look exactly the same. In fact, asymmetry - where one body part, like a foot or a hand, is a different size or shape from its partner - is quite common in humans.

When girls begin puberty, usually between the ages of 8 and 13, their breasts begin to develop starting with just a little swelling under the n****e. This is known as breast budding. You may notice that one of your breasts starts developing before the other or that one is growing more quickly. Many times this difference in breast size evens out once a girl is older, usually around age 20. But it's also perfectly normal for women's breasts to remain different sizes even when they're fully developed.

Some girls with different-sized breasts worry that there's something medically wrong, but chances are, for a teen, there isn't. If you're really worried about your breast size, talk to your doctor or gynecologist. He or she should be able to reassure you that you don't have any health problems. In fact, the good news about noticing your breasts are different sizes is that it means you're aware of your breasts - and being aware of your breasts can help you stay healthy! Learning how your breasts normally look (and feel) can help you notice any changes that might not be normal. Your doctor can teach you how to do a breast self-exam that will help you become familiar with your breasts so you can identify any changes.

Some girls worry about their different-sized breasts for cosmetic reasons. Many girls with different-sized breasts or nipples just accept that they are normal and don't do anything differently. But other girls feel self-conscious. It's likely that no one else notices your breasts look different, though. Other people usually can't see the difference in the size of a girl's breasts - even if that difference is a full cup size.

The fact is that exercises, supplements, or diets won't change the size or shape of a girl's breasts, only plastic surgery can do that. (And most doctors recommend that a girl wait until her breasts have finished growing before getting plastic surgery.) Some girls decide to wear especially supportive bras or special inserts that make their breasts appear more equal in size. Talk to a nurse or lingerie salesperson if you want some suggestions for evening things out. It may also help to talk to your mom, older sister, or an aunt or grandmother - they may have worried about having different-sized breasts during their teen years, too.

Everyone develops differently, and girls aren't the only ones with questions. A guy may wonder if his p***s is developing normally, too. We humans aren't as evenly proportioned as we appear at first glance!

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How to Use a Tampon

Taken from: http://www.youngwomenshealth.org/tampon.html

A Guide to Using Your First Tampon

You may feel nervous about using a tampon for the first time. It is normal to feel nervous, especially if you have any unanswered questions about tampons. Hopefully, this guide will answer your questions, address your worries, and make your first experience with tampons a positive one!


What are tampons and how do they work?
Tampons, like pads, are products used to absorb your menstrual flow. They are made of soft cotton pressed together to form a cylinder-like shape, so that they can be easily inserted into the opening of the v****a. A tampon absorbs your menstrual flow, or blood, before it has a chance to leave the body. Tampons come in all different sizes and absorbencies and can be purchased at most convenience stores or supermarkets.


How do you insert a tampon?
You may be worried and nervous about using your first tampon. Talk to your mom or a friend who has used tampons. It is important to first learn how to use a tampon and then, just relax! The more you relax, the easier the insertion will be. When you are nervous, your muscles tense up, making insertion even harder. For your first time, you may want to try using a tampon when your menstrual flow is heavy; this should allow the tampon to glide in more easily. Choose the smallest size tampon for the first time. By following these simple guidelines, and those that come with your package of tampons, your first experience with tampons should be easy.

1) Sit or stand in a comfortable position. Some women prefer to place one leg on the toilet seat or tub, while others prefer to squat down. After you find a position that is most comfortable for you, hold the tampon with the fingers that you write with. Hold the middle of the tampon, at the spot where the smaller, inner tube inserts into the larger, outer tube. Make sure the string is visible and pointing away from your body.

2) With your other hand, open the labia (the folds of skin around the vaginal opening) and position the tampon in the vaginal opening.

3) Gently push the tampon into the opening, aiming for the small of your back. Stop when your fingers touch your body and the applicator, or outer tube, is completely inside the v****a.

4) Once the applicator or outer tube is inside of you, use your index finger to push the inner tube (the tube where the removal string is connected) through the outer tube.


5) Once the inner tube is all the way in, use your thumb and middle finger to remove the applicator or outer tube. Make sure that the string hangs outside of the vaginal opening. Later, when you are ready to remove the tampon, hold the string and gently pull it downward until the entire tampon is out.

If the tampon is inserted correctly, you should not feel it. If you feel uncomfortable in any way, you may have inserted the tampon incorrectly or the tampon may not be placed far enough into the v****a. If this happens, just remove the tampon and start again with a new tampon. Remember that practice makes perfect. If you don't get it on the first try, your second try will most likely be successful. Instead of getting frustrated and giving up, relax and try again!


What if I still don't succeed?
If you don't succeed after several times, see your health care provider. It may be that you were born with a very small opening in your hymen and you can't insert tampons. This is true in only about 2% of teens, but it could be a problem.

A mirror is often helpful so that you can see where your vaginal opening is. Sometimes, even using a small amount of vaginal lubricant (K-Y Jelly) on the end of the tampon will help the first one glide in.


What is TSS?
You've probably heard of this disease before, and how it may be connected to tampon use. TSS (Toxic Shock Syndrome) is an infection that is very rare, but potentially dangerous. TSS can affect anyone, male or female. However, it occurs most frequently in young women who wear tampons. You will probably never get TSS, but it's good to know what the symptoms are and how to avoid putting yourself at risk.

You've probably heard of this disease before, and how it may be connected to tampon use. TSS (Toxic Shock Syndrome) is an infection that is very rare, but potentially dangerous. TSS can affect anyone, male or female. However, it occurs most frequently in young women who wear tampons. You will probably never get TSS, but it's good to know what the symptoms are and how to avoid putting yourself at risk.

Tampons themselves do not cause TSS. TSS is caused by bacteria called Staphylococcus aureus. When a tampon is left inside your v****a for too long, it creates a perfect environment for different types of bacteria, including Staphylococcus aureus, to grow. To avoid developing TSS, follow these guidelines when using tampons:

- Change your tampons at least every 4-8 hours or more often if necessary.
- Choose the correct tampon absorbency. Use smaller sized tampons when your flow is lighter. TSS occurs more often when super-absorbent tampons are used. Don't use these unless your menstrual flow is particularly heavy.
- Alternate between pad and tampon use. You might want to use pads at night, and tampons in the daytime.
- Wash your hands before inserting or taking out your tampon.
- Don't use tampons to absorb anything other than your menstrual flow. Only insert a tampon once menstrual blood is present.

If you experience the following symptoms while wearing a tampon, remove the tampon, and contact your health care provider immediately! These symptoms may seem similar to the flu. If they occur while you are menstruating and wearing a tampon, they may signal TSS. Otherwise, it might mean that you have another infection. It is recommended that you see your health care provider regardless. Symptoms of TSS include:

- Sudden high fever
- A sunburn-like rash
- Diarrhea
- Dizziness, fainting, or lightheadedness
- Vomiting

By following these simple guidelines, chances are you'll never have to worry about TSS. However, it is a good idea to recognize the symptoms, just in case.

Yeah! First post! Well I've had my period for three years now (i'm 16) and it's still very irregular. I know that the Pill can help regulate it but is that the only thing that can help? Also, I know you're not docters, but if you were in my shoes, would you wait to see if it regulates or talk to your docter? I've told my Mom but she sort of frowns and changes the subject. (I think she thinks I'm too young for the Pill, like it'll give me the urge to go have sex stare )

Edit: I forgot to mention that I get horrible cramps too, the type where you lie on your bed repeating "men have it so easy!"

I don't want to sound like i'm boasting but I have an awesome period(i never said I liked it though...). It last maximum 6 days & it's usually never really heavy. I don't suffer pms badly & cramps only happen for one day. I started when I was twelve & I was only irregular for the first year. I'm 16 now. I think the longest period I ever had 8-10 days. & that was during my first year.

I need help badly. I have beeen on my period for six years, I am 15, and I finally gained enough courage to actually use the tampon. I got the instructions out of the box and when i tried to insert it, it would go up it would only go a little so I started twisting it in and then it was hurting like heck. So I need tips on how to get it in there. oh and I have a couple of silly questions. I would ask my mom but she is not comfortable with it.
1. Can you have sex on your period and how?
2. If you use a tampon before you are sexually active does that mean you are not a virgin?

thank you

How far up does a tampon go? I've read the directions (Tampax pearl, plastic applicators) and it says, stick it in until the place where I'm holding it is right at my vag, then I push the inner thing up, then I pull out the applicator. But at some point when I'm pushing up the inner thing, it hurts. So I stop. But why might it hurt? Is this the right way to do things? Is it up far enough?

Another issue: I wear a pantyliner with it, but I have to change that more often than the tampon. It's kind of annoying. Is that usually the case, or is this leakage the consequence of not having the tampon up far enough... or is the tampon too small, etc?

- Stress — worrying about family problems or exams or other things
- Exercise — many female athletes have irregular periods
- Big changes in your life — taking a trip somewhere, moving
- Pregnancy — this is important to think about if you are sexually active, even if you use birth control.
- Birth control — hormonal methods of birth control (the Pill, implants and injections) can cause your periods to change or stop. This is something you should talk about with the person who prescribed your birth control.
- Illness — sometimes being sick or not feeling well can cause your period to be late.

Some of these things can make your period heavier also right? Because I was excersing to try and get into shape when I got my first period and It was very heavy. When I stopped exercising it slowed down alot.