Menstruation and the Menstrual Cycle

When the blood and the tissues are discharged from the vagina of the female during the monthly menstrual cycle it is known as menstruation.  In general terms it is also known as menstrual period or period.  Normally the menstrual period lasts for about 3 to 5 days. Though the girls can start menstruating between the age of 8 to 16 but in US majority of the girls menstruate at 12 years of age.

The most primary sign of menstruation is the bleeding from the vagina. Besides these some females may also experience other symptoms at the time of menstruating like fatigue, headache, bloating, cramping, sore breasts, cravings for food, irritability and mood swings. The PMS generally appears one or even two weeks before the start of the menstruation and it can appear to women at any age.

There are various reasons that can affect the period of a woman.  Various problems may be caused die to hormonal imbalance like fatigue, hair loss, depression and allergies. The hormonal balance generally occurs due to the incorrect relationship between the estrogen and progesterone levels.

Too much of exercise may also affect your periods as it may stop the periods by lowering down the fat of the body. Another reason for affecting the period is stress.

Women Health Zone