Menstruation is when blood discharges through the vagina from the uterus lining. They usually start around twelve years; some might get them earlier and some later. We have put together 5 things girls should know about periods.

1. What should I do when I bleed for the first time?

A lot of girls may have this fear surrounding the notion of having their period for the first time. But when you think that every other girl older than you have gone through their own period and are now absolutely okay, you should be okay, too. Some girls wonder if their first period is going to hurt—because bleeding—but that is not true at all. You don’t bleed through the vagina because you have been hurt, it’s because your ovaries need to shed unused eggs.

When you finally have your first period, the very first thing you need to do is remain calm and just acknowledge, ‘It’s finally here.’ Then, if you happen to already have your pad, just take it and quickly plaster it on the inside of your panty. If you don’t have one near you, you could either ask from a friend or the school nurse if you’re at school, or call your parents to bring you some pads for the remainder of the day.

2. Can a tampon get lost inside the vagina?

Most girls know what to do with the pads, but tampon may be a little bit of a mystery because it is not talked about as commonly as the period pads. However, tampons are actually a great tool to have around because they are easy to use and generally aren’t as ‘messy’ as pads. You see, pads collect your blood only after it has been discharged from the vagina. When the blood fills the pad enough, the outer lips of your vagina, which are called the labia can also get wet and comfortable.

A tampon though, collects and absorb blood in the vagina before it gets out. Some girls wonder if the tampon can get lost in the vagina if they move some certain ways too hard, but this is not true at all. There is no other opening besides the urethra where pee comes out, so, there is no way the tampon can go anywhere else but out.

As stated by the National Health Service, while tampons cannot go beyond your vagina, they can sometimes become lodged inside it. Even though the vaginal canal is only three or four inches long, occasionally, a tampon may get stuck just out of your reach. If this happens, there's no need to panic. A tampon cannot get lost inside you, and it will remain in your vagina after you've inserted it.

3. Is it safe to exercise during my period?

Menstruation is a time when your body becomes generally weaker than usual and you may be easily sleepy during the day. This doesn’t mean you are sick; this is just the natural biology of the female body. Appreciate that your body is shedding some unfertilised eggs and that this process means you are a healthy woman with a fully functional reproductive system.

Now, during such a period, you may not be able to participate in heavy sports as per usual. It doesn’t mean you can’t exercise at all, but just be aware of the limitations of your body during this time. Also, rather than wearing a pad to collect blood during menstruation, if you are keen on doing some sports the tampon may be more comfortable to wear for such an occasion.

According to Medical News Today, it is considered healthy to exercise during your period, and it can even help alleviate common period-related symptoms. However, it's perfectly fine to take a break from workouts when you don't feel up to it. If you're not in the mood for intense exercise, you can opt for light weight exercises. These activities can promote the production of endorphins, often referred to as "feel-good hormones," which can help reduce anxiety, depression, and pain, ultimately improving your mood.

Don’t forget to rehydrate yourself with a lot of fresh and quality water after your exercise.

4. How can I avoid stomach pains during period?

Sometimes, during periods girls can experience a lot of pains from stomach cramps, ovulation pains, headache, to painful breasts. One way to prevent such discomforts is through paying attention to what you’re eating at least a week before period starts. This is especially super important because most girls will have an immense appetite a week or so before period, so, they tend to eat a lot of foods without paying attention to the side effects of consuming certain types of foods.

A week or so before your period starts, try your best to completely ditch deep-fried foods as salty and greasy foods tend to cause cramps during the menstrual days. So, instead of indulging in fried foods, you would do better to eat a lot of fresh vegs and fruits that will make your period that much more comfortable. Drinking lots of water can also help with clearing water retention in the breasts.

5. Are there foods I shouldn’t eat during my period?

Just like a week before your period starts your body can be a little vulnerable, during period there are also certain foods you had better avoid. This doesn’t necessarily mean you should be banned from eating them, rather you need to just be mindful and minimise your intake of them.

Some types of foods that aren’t very beneficial during menstruation include salt (quickly dehydrates your body and worsens water retention), chillies (spicy and can make you experience hot flushes as well as stomach cramps), dairy and sugary foods are also best left behind for now.

According to Healthline Media, it is advisable to steer clear of consuming salty foods during your period. This includes items like canned soups, bacon, and chips, which are high in salt content. The hormones associated with menstruation can already lead to water retention, and a diet rich in salt can exacerbate this, resulting in feelings of gas and bloating.

Although there are these foods that are best avoided during the period, it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t indulge in your favourite chocolate or cookies when you want to. However, try to not go crazy on them to prevent unpleasant menstruation. Just be reasonable and kind to yourself during this time.

To wrap things up, talking about periods is still taboo in many places, and people feel weird talking about it. Knowing these things about the period can raise awareness and improve the knowledge of females and males.

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What Is The Difference Between Male And Female Hormones?

Most people think that estrogen is entirely a female hormone, while androgens are only present in males. However, you will find levels of both hormones in both females and males but in different quantities. For instance, testosterone production in women is about 10% less than in men.

Testosterone is vital in women for bone density and muscle strength. When it comes to males, androgens, mainly testosterone, is the primary hormone behind their masculinity. Facial hair, deep voice, male physique, sexual drive, enlargement of scrotum, and penis during pubescent age are driven by testosterone.

When it was discovered, it was thought that testosterone leads to an increase in libido for women, but later studies showed no direct correlation. You will still find some scientists and doctors still linking female sex drive with testosterone. The camp is still divided, and women's sexuality is a complex field.

Men's estrogen levels are significantly lower than women's. The hormone may be useful in preventing heart disease in males. Younger males have higher levels of testosterone hence the higher sex drive. But the interesting thing is that recent studies indicate that there are some men with lower testosterone but with a high sexual appetite.

As men age, testosterone levels decrease while estrogen production increases. It may be the reason for higher risks in strokes, heart disorders, prostate cancer, or enlargement for older males.

Estrogen, in females, plays a vital role in their growth and sexual behavior. It quickens the burning of fats, slows height increase during puberty, and prevents muscular physique. It also facilitates the formation of the endometrium during periods, enhances lubrication, vaginal thickening, and increases blood supply. After menopause, however, the levels of estrogen begin dropping.

When it comes to sexuality, researchers have found that there is a notable increase in levels of estrogen during ovulation when women's sexual desires hit the roof. Progesterone levels, on the other hand, are significantly lower during this period.

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What Is Perimenopause And How To Deal With It?

Perimenopause is a gradual change that takes place in a woman’s life after a certain change. This is a change that prepares a woman’s body for menopause. Here the estrogen production slows down and many women might experience difficulty in coming up with this condition as the body undergoes certain physical changes too.

Signs Leading to Perimenopause

The symptoms of this condition might differ from one woman to another. While some might experience hot flashes or mood swings, others might experience depression or vaginal dryness and many more.

The first sign of perimenopause is irregular periods. Many women might experience changes in their menstrual cycles in regard to periods becoming lighter and shorter, heavier or longer or a combination of both.

Another common symptom that women might experience is difficulty in getting sleep. When the production of estrogen slows down, it leads to the releasing of chemicals from the brain that is responsible for the lack of sleeplessness.

Similarly, many women might experience low libido levels and might always feel tired or depressed. Some other common symptoms might include tenderness in the genital and breasts.

1 Foreplay Tip To Blow His Mind Talk Sexy We often hear people advising that communication is the key to relationships. However, in terms of sexual relationships, better communication can drive both partners to ecstasy. It involves telling your man about your sexy intentions, the things that you love to do to him and confessions about your love life. Meanwhile, you can also ask your partner what turns him on and what he wants you to do. You can make use of whispering, moaning or sexy tone while talking dirty with him. You can also give hints throughout the day in the form of gift cards or sexy notes. Another way is to keep mark your man’s diary or secretly keep a condom underneath his pillow. Secretly adding a calendar event in his cell can also serve the same purpose. It will leave your man thinking about you the whole day and feel eager to come to you as soon as possible.

Dealing with Perimenopause

Dealing with perimenopause might be difficult for some, but if you brace yourself in advance for this condition, it might be as bad as it looks. All you need is to be mentally prepared for the changes and accept the changes that are going to take place in the future.

Since you already know that you are suffering from perimenopause and your period is irregular, you might want to keep some sanitary napkins or tampons on hand at all times. You might never know when you might have use of them.

Maintain a calendar and record the dates, flow, and length of your menstrual cycles. This will help you in having a better understanding of the changes that are occurring within you. If need be in the future, this information can also be shared with your doctor.

It is always better to maintain a healthy lifestyle and indulge in foods that can be good for the overall health of your body. Top it up with an exercise routine or yoga and it might help to keep perimenopause a few years away from your life.

Know what triggers your hot flashes and try to avoid indulging in such things. This might make things easier for you and reduce the number of hot flashes that you experience.

Treating Perimenopause

It is always better to consult your doctor and discuss your situation before you undertake medication for this condition. If you suffer from vaginal dryness while indulging in sex, the doctor might prescribe some cream or lubricants to make it easier for you.

Similarly, if you experience the need to frequently urinate, then kegel exercise might help you have better control over your bladder. Many doctors might even suggest hormone therapy after taking into consideration their symptoms and medical history.

In a nutshell, we can say that perimenopause is a part and parcel of every woman’s life and it is better to accept it rather than think of it as a threat.

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