Period

The period, menstruation or “that time of the month” – whatever you wanna call it, is a very natural part of life for a person with a vagina.

First period

Girls usually get their first period between the age of 9-16. Most girls get their first period when they are about 12-14 years old. If you’ve not had your first period by the time you turn 16, we recommend you contact a youth guidance center or health care center.

Menstrual cycle

The menstrual cycle is the time from the first day of your period until the next period starts. The menstrual cycle is between 21 – 35 days and a period lasts for about 5 – 7 days. It is common for the period to be irregular when you first start getting your period¹ .

Ovulation

Ovulation occurs when an egg is released from a follicle in the ovaries and the mature egg slides down into the fallopian tubes where it can be fertilised. During ovulation, discharge is often clear, a little stringy and stretchy.

The purpose of the follicle is to produce hormones and it does this by being transformed into a corpus luteum. The corpus luteum hormone (progesterone) helps the mucous membrane to grow and prepare to receive a fertilized egg. If fertilization does not take place, the corpus luteum is not required and it shrivels up and the level of progesterone falls.

This acts as a signal that the mucous membrane is not needed and can be ejected from the body – your period begins¹ .

Amount

It is individual but it is usually said that you bleed approximately up to 50 ml, but it can feel like more because the blood is blended with the mucous membrane. The period can vary both in consistency and colour depending on whether it is at the beginning, middle or end of a period.

Excessive bleeding

How much one bleed varies from woman to woman and can also vary for the same woman during a period. Some women have very heavy bleeds without anything being wrong, but it may be good to visit a youth guidance center or health care center if you:

• Have to get up in the middle of the night to change your menstrual product.
• Bleed through your menstrual product, even though you have adjusted your menstrual product according to how heavy the bleed is.

Regular or irregular periods

Some women always have irregular periods, while others find their period being on time like a clock and knows exactly when to expect their period. You can contact a youth guidance center or gynecologist if you are worried about your periods being irregular. Some contraceptives can help make the periods more regular.

Missed period

Menstruation can be absent for various reasons. Pregnancy can be a reason for not having menstruation. To be pregnant, you must have sperm inserted into your vagina. When you have reached menopause, it is common to bleed more before menstruation ends for good.

Well-being and how we take care of our body has a significant factor for menstruation to function. If you do not feel well, your menstrual cycle may end up out of balance.

If you miss your period, ask yourself if you:

• are eating too little
• are underweight or overweight
• exercise too much
• have an eating disorder

ph-value during menstruation

During menstruation, the pH value tends to rise and cause imbalance. Why? Well, during and around menstruation, the body’s estrogen is at its lowest, which means that the natural lactic acid bacterial growth is lower compared to growth in the middle of the menstrual cycle. The lactic acid bacteria create an acidic environment in the vagina, which harmful bacteria do not thrive in. The menstrual fluid can also contribute to an increased vaginal pH value. This is a completely natural process, but unfortunately it can cause many women to experience inconvenience and discomfort associated with menstruation.

ellen® Probiotic Tampon contains the same natural lactic acid bacteria that are found in a healthy female vagina and can help you to maintan a balanced pH-value during your period.

Seek help

It can be difficult to know where to turn when you are not feeling well. If you go to school, you can always turn to the school nurse. You can also contact your health center.