Menstruation (Menses)

You should never make a decision the day before your period ― Miranda J. Barrett

Menstruation (Menses)

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History period – a look at menstruation through the ages in 15 fascinating facts

Periods are a fact of life. But, before the 19th Century, doctors didn’t realise periods were even linked to ovulation. They thought women needed to bleed to cool their emotional, hysterical natures.

Other menstruation myths and misunderstandings also persisted, some of which are still alive today. Some people in India believe menstruating women make cows infertile, while in East Africa some say they dry out crops. And these aren’t the half of it. So it’s time for history period – a look at menstruation through the ages in 15 fascinating facts.

1. Ancient Romans thought menstruating women were basically dark witches

According to Pliny the Elder…

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Resources

 History period – a look at menstruation through the ages in 15 fascinating facts

Periods are a fact of life. But, before the 19th Century, doctors didn’t realise periods were even linked to ovulation. They thought women needed to bleed to cool their emotional, hysterical natures.

myFLO

The First-Ever Period Tracking App That ALSO Tells You Exactly What to Do to Be Symptom-Free!

Yoppie

Life can be stressful, but your period shouldn’t be. Say hello to personalised period care delivered straight to your letterbox, on your terms.

Be Prepared Period

It's our goal to help you have a better period – don't be shy, click around and check things out. Oh, and don't forget we offer some fun GIVEAWAYS to take a look at too!

Lunette

Our mission is to have honest and inspiring conversation about menstruation so that we can motivate period positivity- and change the world one cup at a time. Lunette is so much more than a cup. It's a lifestyle It's a community It's the future.

Menstruation.com.au

Our aim is to provide information, products, and an alternative viewpoint about menstruation so that you can feel great about being a woman every day of the month!

Menstrupedia

Menstrupedia aims at spreading awareness about menstruation and shatter myths around the subject. At menstrupedia we are devising various ways to help young girls and women stay informed about their body and managing their periods effectively.

Museum of Menstruation and Women's Health

The latest menstruation articles, news, with the history of menstrual products & culture.

Period

Our mission is to celebrate periods and provide products to those in need.

Society of Menstrual Cycle Research

We strive to be the source of guidance, expertise, and ethical considerations for those interested in the menstrual cycle.

The Period Blog

The Period Blog is a global reference and resource for girls and women of all ages to learn about their bodies, periods, and ovulation.

Your Happy Period

Your Happy period started with the goal to make everyone’s period a bit happier, that today is Yoppie! We thought that the market was missing a simple and healthy option for sanitary products, that discloses all the ingredients. And at the same time draws attention to the major problems that exist in the world with over 100 million girls lacking appropriate sanitary products.

AmericanPregnancy.org

Before ovulation occurs, your uterine lining is thickening to prepare for a fertilized egg to implant in the uterus. If an egg is not fertilized, then the uterine lining sheds. This is called menstruation or your menstrual period.

KidsHealth

The start of menstruation is a major event in a girl's life. Some girls greet those first drops of blood with joy or relief, while others feel bewildered and scared. Whatever the reaction, the arrival of the first period holds the same meaning for every girl: It's proof that she's becoming a woman.

MayoClinic

Your menstrual cycle can say a lot about your health. Understand how to start tracking your menstrual cycle and what to do about irregularities.

MedicineNet.com

Most periods vary somewhat, the flow may be light, moderate or heavy and can vary in length from about 2 to 7 days; with age, the cycle usually shortens and becomes more regular. Problems with periods include the following: amenorrhea (no period), dysmenorrhea (painful period), and abnormal bleeding.

MedlinePlus

Periods usually start between age 11 and 14 and continue until menopause at about age 51. They usually last from three to five days. Besides bleeding from the vagina, you may have •Abdominal or pelvic cramping •Lower back pain •Bloating and sore breasts •Food cravings •Mood swings and irritability •Headache and fatigue

NHS Choices

Period problems include: •absent periods (amenorrhoea) •heavy periods (menorrhagia) •irregular periods (oligomenorrhoea) •painful periods (dysmenorrhoea)

Patient

Abnormalities in menstruation may include: •Quantity: usually perceived as too great a loss - menorrhagia. This is usually defined as a loss above 80 mls per menses and may cause iron-deficiency anaemia. •Timing: may be too frequent (polymenorrhoea - more than one period per calendar month) or infrequent (oligomenorrhoea or amenorrhoea). •Duration of bleeding: normal range is 3-7 days. •Time of onset: precocious puberty (before 8 years) or delayed puberty (after 16 years).

Planned Parenthood

Every healthy woman menstruates, or has a period. But every woman's period is different. And a woman's period can change throughout her lifetime. Menstruation usually begins when a girl is between 9 and 16 years old and continues until she is 45 to 55. Even if you have had your period for a while, you may still have questions about what's normal. Here are some answers to common questions about menstruation, the menstrual cycle, and period-related symptoms, like PMS.

Women's Health Network

From puberty until menopause, a women’s biochemistry waxes and wanes to her own unique monthly rhythm, known as the menstrual cycle. The word menstruation is derived from the Latin word menses, which means month. Regular menstruation is a sign that the body is producing appropriate levels of hormones in a balanced fashion according to a rhythm established over millennia as optimal for human reproduction.

WomensHealth.gov

For the first few years after menstruation begins, longer cycles are common. A woman's cycle tends to shorten and become more regular with age. Most of the time, periods will be in the range of 21 to 35 days apart.

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