The Woman's Group - Female OB Gynecologist Group in Dallas Fort Worth, Texas

menstruation
Menstruation can often be unpredictable and inconvenient. Below, we have attempted to take out some of the mystery regarding periods to help gauge what is normal and when a problem may merit a visit to the doctor. A better knowledge of the menstrual cycle in general can be beneficial in appreciating and understanding personal health.

menarche – the onset of menstruation
Girls typically get their first menstruation period between the ages of 11 and 14, although some start as early as age ten or as late as age 17. Once a period begins, it is often irregular for the first one or two years. Once the body reaches a regular cycle, menstruation usually occurs every 24 to 35 days.

length of cycle and menstruation
Length of menstruation varies in relation to lifestyle and age. Women in their 20s have been shown to experience a longer cycle than women in their 40s. Also, women who drink alcohol regularly tend to have their periods more frequently, while those who exercise and thinner women tend to have a shorter cycle.

On average, women menstruate for six days. Women who take the birth control pill tend to have shorter, predictable periods. Each woman is unique, and many factors contribute to length of menstruation.
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PMS – a period of pain
Premenstrual syndrome, known as PMS, is a physiological and psychological stress on the body that can occur before the onset of a period. This stress can lead to mood swings and depression. Although PMS seriously impairs only three to five percent of women, many women are at least moderately affected by the condition.
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physical symptoms
It is NOT all in your head. Several physical symptoms can accompany menstruation. Bloating, breast pain and slight temporary weight gain affects almost all women. Other symptoms like agitation, insomnia, gastrointestinal distress and headaches may occur.

Menstrual cramps, or dysmenorrhea, commonly accompany periods as well. The uncomfortable, tight, cringing feeling known as cramps stem from a hormone that lines the uterus called prostaglandin. Prostoglandin causes the uterus to contract and expand uncontrollably, resulting in a painful sensation in the abdomen, low back or thighs. Some women say cramps feel like working out a muscle. However, since women do not have control over this particular muscle, it can be very painful, if it exceeds a woman’s threshold for pain.

There are several things that can be done to alleviate dysmenorrhea.

Regular exercise actually decreases the severity of cramps by allowing fluids to circulate.
Ibuprofen (Advil) or naproxen (Aleve) are effective pain-relievers.
Heat relaxes sore muscles, such as a hot water bottle applied to the abdomen, a hot bath or a heating pad.
Drink at least 8 glasses of water a day.
Eat food low in salt to reduce water retention.
Oral contraceptives are sometimes prescribed to reduce menstrual flow and/or cramps.

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menorrhagia
Although some women would beg to differ, periods are a good thing. However, sometimes women experience periods that are too heavy or last longer than is normal. Menorrhagia occurs when so much blood is lost from menstruation that it can actually be harmful to the body. Women who change their sanitary napkins every hour or so should consult their physician.
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amenorrhea
Amenorrhea is the absence of periods. There are two types of amenorrhea - primary and secondary. Primary amenorrhea occurs when a period never begins. Teenagers who are 16 or 17 should see a doctor if they have not started their periods. Secondary amenorrhea occurs when a woman has had a regular period for a while and then does not have one for six months or longer.

Although period cessation is usually caused by pregnancy, there are other reasons women do not get their periods. Endurance athletes, such as long-distance runners and bikers, may stop having their periods or may only have light periods and spotting. Also, women under substantial amounts of stress may experience a cessation in their periods. Rapid weight loss or gain can also be attributed to amenorrhea. Birth control methods such as depo-provera and Norplant can also cause amenorrhea.

Other causes include: