Menstrual Cycle
How long is the average menstrual cycle?
28 days
How long do periods usually last (how many days)?
3-7 days
Name two different types of sanitary products.
Tampons, pads or menstrual cups, menstrual rings, or period underwear.
True or False: if you spend enough time together, people can begin to menstruate on the same schedule.
False: syncing periods is not a thing -- even if you go to an historically women's college.
Around what part of the cycle does ovulation usually occur?
Midcycle, around day 11-21. can change cycle to cycle
What's PMS?
Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) includes physical and emotional changes (mood swings and irritability, tension, bloating, and breast tenderness) that can occur during around 1-2 weeks before a period.
True or false: you should power through your to-do list on your period.
False! Hustle culture is crazy and just because we can do everything while on our periods doesn't mean we should. Take the time you need to rest and replenish; communicate with your friends and family what you need to take it easy (i.e. a little more flexibility and understanding, chocolate, to be left alone) and hold yourself to self-care!
True or False: you can swim while you have your period.
True: as long as you use the right protection, you are perfectly fine to swim at any point in your cycle.
True or False. It is normal for someone to have irregular period schedules when they first start menstruating.
True. For the first few years after menstruation begins, cycles are often irregular. They may be shorter (3 weeks) or longer (6 weeks), or only occur three or four periods a year.
True or False. Once you get your period, you get it for life.
False. Menstruation usually stops between the ages of 45 and 51 (menopause). Menopause (men-menses, pause... pause) means someone's body no longer produces estrogen, and thus no longer ovulates (at least, not without the help of reproductive technology.)
Name 2-3 ways to manage pain during PMS and menstruation.
Hydration, hot compress, over-the-counter pain medication, exercise, massage, warm bath, and more!
True or False. If a someone uses a tampon they are no longer considered a virgin.
False. This is a myth that if someone uses a tampon they are not a virgin anymore. Being a virgin has to do with not having sexual intercourse yet and has nothing to do with tampons.
True or False: Your period is the end of your cycle.
Menstruation marks the beginning of the menstrual cycle where you're shedding the endometrial lining created to prepare the body for pregnancy. Phase 2 is the follicular phase, where the a hormone is released from the pituitary gland causing your ovaries (little sacs that house the eggs) to grow and mature. Then you have ovulation -- phase 3 -- where the egg is released from the ovaries through the fallopian tube and descend to the uterus with the help of two hormones, FSH and luteinizing hormone. During phase 3, the luteal phase, progesterone causes the uterus to thicken its endometrial lining and cervical fluids. If the egg isn't fertilized then it starts all over again with menstruation.
How much blood do you loose in an average period?
30 - 60 mililitres (or 2-4 tablespoons), only 50% actual blood, the rest tissue, uterine lining
True or False. Not changing your period sanitary protection products regularly enough can be dangerous.
True. Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS) is a rare, but serious illness that is believed to be caused by using tampons that are too high in absorbency or leaving a tampon in for too long. Symptoms include a sudden high fever, a rash similar to sunburn, vomiting, diarrhea, muscular pain and headache Choosing the lowest absorbency tampon necessary, washing hands thoroughly before and after inserting a tampon, using pads overnight and changing tampons at least every three to fours hours, can minimize the already low risk of TSS.
True or False: Period blood - both quality and quantity per day - is the same througout all days of the menstruation
False. The flow is usually the strongest the first (or second) day of menstruation, with the highest component of actual blood in the menstruation blood
What can someone to miss their period?
You can skip or miss your period because of stress, exercise, and sickness. It can happen if you gain or lose a lot of weight. And of course it can happen if you're pregnant or on birth control. If you miss a period not because of pregnancy or birth control, please seek medical advice.
Name 2-3 ways we can care for each other throughout our cycles.
There are no correct responses but here are some ideas!
Putting together period kits or a period closet at school with free products like disposable heating pads, tampons and pads, chocolates and candies.
Asking for help and sharing advice on self-care during your cycle. Memorialize it as a free period guide for all students.
Group yoga for hip and back pain!
True or false: periods should be hidden from people who don't get them.
False: transparency about menstruation is key to having open conversations about how your cycle affects physical and mental health -- and to ending stigma and shame surrounding the menstrual cycle.