The Period - Frequently misunderstood

Dr. Douglas Street, Contributor

Having a period every month is part of being a woman. It is usually an indication that a woman is in her reproductive years but not pregnant. There are, unfortunately, many misunderstandings about it.

The menstrual cycle is a very complex process, with many hormones and other substances involved. Day one of the cycle is actually the first day of the period. This is arbitrary, though, and just for convenience. A normal period lasts for three - seven days and is usually about 10 - 80mls in volume, but the average is about 35mls. It usually comes every 28 days (normal range 21 - 35 days).

A substance called plasmin inside the cavity of the womb should prevent the formation of clots. Using up to about 15 regular pads per cycle is acceptable, but more than that indicates excessive bleeding, which can cause clot formation as the plasmin is overwhelmed.

The lining of the cavity of the womb builds up in the days following the period to form a nice 'nest' to accept a fertilised egg. This nest has a great number of blood vessels that would supply the developing embryo with vital nutrients. Hormones produced by the structure from which the egg came sustain the nest, but if the egg isn't fertilised, then this structure disintegrates, the hormone levels drop, and the lining breaks down. This cuts right through the blood vessels, and there is bleeding, which forms the period.

It's important to note that the period is not waste matter, which collects during the menstrual cycle, as a lot of women believe, but actual bleeding from the circulation. Therefore, there will be no harm to the body if a woman doesn't have her period.

PREGNANCY ISSUES

It is almost impossible to get pregnant around or during the period as ovulation usually occurs 14 days before the next period and the egg lives for less than two days.

Some women have painful periods, and it's usually best to have appropriate investigations done, especially if they weren't painful before or are getting worse. Most times, no definite cause is found for the pain. The same applies to heavy periods.

If the period is missed or late, a pregnancy test should be done first and foremost. If the result is negative, and they were usually regular, then one likely cause is stress. If two periods are missed, then an ultrasound should be considered.