Menstruation is the shedding of the lining of the uterus and its discharge through the vagina along with blood. Menstruation is one stage of the female reproductive cycle, also known as the menstrual cycle. The four stages of the menstrual cycle are listed below.

The female reproductive cells are called ova. When a girl is born, her ovaries contain thousands of immature ova. These ova begin to mature when girls reach puberty. The release of these mature ova from the ovaries into the fallopian tubes, one at a time, begins with the onset of periods.

During the first week of the menstrual cycle, the surface layer of the inner wall of the uterus (the endometrium) thickens due to increased secretion of the hormone estrogen. Then, a mature egg reaches the surface of the ovary, and the fibers at the end of the fallopian tube guide the egg into the fallopian tube. During this time, the hormone progesterone further increases the blood flow to the walls of the uterus. In this way, the uterine wall thickens, being nourished by the blood vessels, to create a suitable environment for the growing embryo if the egg released from the ovary is fertilized and pregnancy occurs.

When the egg is not fertilized, the next stage of the menstrual cycle is the decline in the secretion of the hormones estrogen and progesterone. As a result, the inner wall of the uterus begins to shed from the uterus and the mucous membrane, along with blood, is expelled from the body through the vagina. This is called menstruation. This process occurs in a cycle, and so is called the menstrual cycle.

The menstrual cycle can take as little as 21 days for some people and as long as 35 days for others.

The menstrual cycle is controlled by the hormones estrogen and progesterone.

The red fluid that comes out during menstruation consists of:

uterine lining

blood

vaginal fluid and mucus

Menstrual bleeding can last for approximately 2-7 days. The color and texture of menstrual blood can vary from person to person. If your menstrual blood is a different color than usual, it is best to seek medical advice.

Menstruation usually begins between the ages of 9 and 16 and ends around the age of 50. The end of menstruation is called menopause.

Did you know?

Approximately 5.7 million women experience menstruation.

Menstruation is a natural part of life, and we all deserve to be educated about it. By better understanding the menstrual cycle and how hormones work, we can effectively manage our periods.