What is menstruation

Patient's question:

No

Doctor's answer:

It refers to regular vaginal bleeding that occurs once a month. After a woman enters puberty, her ovaries gradually mature and begin to secrete female hormones, causing the endometrium to change and produce menstruation. The formation process of menstruation is roughly as follows: The ovaries secrete estrogen, promoting the thickening and congestion of the endometrium. On the 14th day before the next menstrual period, the ovaries begin to ovulate and secrete large amounts of estrogen and progesterone. Under the combined action of these two hormones, the endometrium continues to thicken and becomes loose, preparing conditions for the implantation and development of a fertilized egg. If the egg is not fertilized, the levels of these two hormones drop sharply, the endometrium detaches and bleeds, resulting in menstruation. Subsequently, under the influence of female hormones, the endometrium repeats this process.
The first menstrual period a woman experiences is called menarche, which is abbreviated as "menarche." Menarche typically occurs around the ages of 13-15. In physically strong and well-nourished individuals, it may occur as early as 11-12 years old, while in weak and poorly nourished individuals, it may be delayed until 17-18 years old. Menarche before the age of 8 is considered precocious puberty and is seen in cases of ovarian and adrenal tumors. If menstruation has not occurred by the age of 18, it is considered delayed puberty. This condition may be due to primary amenorrhea, as well as underdeveloped or malformed internal reproductive organs.
Normal menstruation: The average menstrual cycle is 28 days, with a variation of 7 days earlier or later, as long as it is basically regular, it falls within the normal range. The duration of menstruation is generally 3-5 days, but the amount of menstrual blood during a 1-2 month cycle is typically 20-120 milliliters, with most women having an average of around 50 milliliters. Most women experience no discomfort during menstruation, but some may have lower abdominal pain, backache, breast tenderness, or emotional instability before or during their period.