Menstrual Cycles   Did you know that when a baby girl is born, she has all the eggs her body will ever use, and any more, perhaps as many as 450,000? They are stored in her ovaries, each inside its own sac called a follicle. As she matures into puberty, her body begins producing various hormones that cause the eggs to mature. This is the beginning of her first cycle; it's a cycle that will repeat throughout her life until the end of menopause.

The hypothalamus is a gland in the brain responsible for regulating the body's thirst, hunger, sleep patterns, libido and endocrine functions. It releases the chemical messenger Follicle Stimulating Hormone Releasing Factor (FSH-RF) to tell the pituitary, another gland in the brain, to do its job. The pituitary then secretes Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) and a little Leutenizing Hormone (LH) into the bloodstream which cause the follicles to begin to mature.

The maturing follicles then release another hormone, estrogen The maturing follicles then release another hormone, estrogen. As the follicles ripen they secrete more and more estrogen into the bloodstream. Estrogen causes the lining of the uterus to be thicken. It causes the cervical mucous to change. When the estrogen level reaches a certain point it causes the hypothalamus to release Leutenizing Hormone Releasing Factor (LH-RF) causing the pituitary to release a large amount of (LH). This surge of LH triggers the one most mature follicle to burst open and release an egg. This is called ovulation.

Ovulation As ovulation approaches, the ligaments contract, pulling the ovary closer to the Fallopian tube, allowing the egg, once released, to find its way into the tube. Just before ovulation, a woman's cervix secretes an abundance of clear "fertile mucous" which is characteristically stretchy. Fertile mucous helps facilitate the sperm's movement toward the egg. Basal body temperature rises right after ovulation and stays higher. Inside the Fallopian tube, the egg is carried along by tiny, hair like projections, called "cilia" toward the uterus.

Uterine Changes Between midcycle and menstruation, the follicle from which the egg burst becomes the corpus luteum (yellow body). As it heals, it produces the hormones estrogen and, in larger amounts, progesterone which is necessary for the maintenance of a pregnancy. the later stages of healing, if the uterus is not pregnant, the follicle turns white and is called the corpus albicans. Estrogen and progesterone are sometimes called "female" hormones, but both men and women have them, just in different concentrations. Progesterone causes the surface of the uterine lining, the endometrium, to become covered with mucous, secreted from glands within the lining itself. If fertilization and implantation do not occur, the spiral arteries of the lining close

off, stopping blood flow to the surface of the lining off, stopping blood flow to the surface of the lining. The blood pools into "venous lakes" which, once full, burst and, with the endometrial lining, form the menstrual flow. Most periods last 4 to 8 days but this length varies over the course of a lifetime. Some researchers view menses as the natural monthly cleansing of the uterus and vagina of sperm and bacteria they carried.

Cramps and Other Sensations Common complaints include backache, pain in the inner thighs, headaches, breast tenderness, irritability, and other mood changes. Uterine cramping is one of the most common uncomfortable sensations women may have during menstruation. There are two kinds of cramping: Spasmodic cramping is probably caused by prostaglandins, chemicals that affect muscle tension. Some prostaglandins cause relaxation, and some cause constriction. A diet of vegetables and fish, increases the prostaglandins for aiding muscle relaxation. Congestive cramping causes the body to retain fluids and salt. To counter congestive cramping, avoid caffeine. improve

Natural options to alleviate cramping: Increase exercise. This will improve blood and oxygen circulation throughout the body, including the pelvis. Try not using tampons. Avoid red meat, refined sugars, milk, and fatty foods. Eat lots of fresh vegetables, whole grains (especially if you experience constipation or indigestion), nuts, seeds and fruit. Avoid caffeine. It constricts blood vessels and increases tension. Drink ginger root tea (especially if you experience fatigue). Breathe deeply, relax, notice where you hold tension in your body and let it go.

Premenstrual Syndrome or PMS -PMS has been known by women for many years. Premenstrual syndrome refers to the collection of symptoms or sensations women experience as a result of high hormone levels before, and sometimes during, their periods. -One type of PMS is characterized by anxiety, irritability and mood swings. These feelings are usually relieved with the onset of bleeding. Most likely, this type relates to the balance between estrogen and progesterone. If estrogen predominates, anxiety occurs. If there's more progesterone, depression may be a complaint.

-It's true that most women will have cycles that are around 28 days -It's true that most women will have cycles that are around 28 days. But, a woman can be healthy and normal and have just 3 or 4 cycles a year. [However, while variations might be healthy and normal, they could also be a sign of a serious underlying problem. For example, a recent news article suggested that irregular menstrual cycles may predict Type 2 Diabetes.] -Ovulation occurs about 14-16 days before women have their period (not 14 days after the start of their period). The second half of the cycle, ovulation to menstruation, is fairly consistently the same length, but the first part changes from person to person and from cycle to cycle. In rare cases, a women may ovulate twice in a month, once from each ovary.

Common Menstrual Problems PMS includes both physical and emotional symptoms that many females get right before their periods, such as: acne bloating fatigue backaches breasts tenderness. headaches constipation diarrhea irritability difficulty concentrating difficulty handling stress

-Amenorrhea (the Absence of Periods) Cramps: - experience abdominal cramps during the first menses caused by prostaglandin, a chemical in the body that makes the smooth muscle in the uterus contract. Irregular Periods -It can take 2 to 3 years from a girl's first period for her body to develop a regular cycle. what's "regular" varies from person to person. The typical cycle of an adult female is 28 days, although some are as short as 21 days and others are as long as 45. Delayed Menarche Girls often start menstruating at approximately the same age their mothers or grandmothers did. For instance, African-American girls, on average, start puberty and get their periods before Caucasian girls do. -Amenorrhea (the Absence of Periods) Girls who shown the first signs of puberty &have primary amenorrhea, is usually caused by a genetic abnormality, a hormone imbalance, or a structural problem. Hormones are also often responsible for secondary amenorrhea, which is when a girl who had normal periods suddenly stops menstruating for more than 6 months or three of her usual cycles. Cramps: - experience abdominal cramps during the first menses caused by prostaglandin, a chemical in the body that makes the smooth muscle in the uterus contract. Irregular Periods -It can take 2 to 3 years from a girl's first period for her body to develop a regular cycle. During that time, the body is essentially adjusting to the influx of hormones unleashed by puberty. And what's "regular" varies from person to person. The typical cycle of an adult female is 28 days, although some are as short as 21 days and others are as long as 45. Delayed Menarche -When girls get their periods actually depends a lot on genetics. Girls often start menstruating at approximately the same age their mothers or grandmothers did. Also, certain ethnic groups, on average, go through puberty earlier than others. For instance, African-American girls, on average, start puberty and get their periods before Caucasian girls do. -Although most period problems are harmless, a few conditions can be more serious and require medical attention: Amenorrhea (the Absence of Periods) Girls who haven't started their periods by the time they're 16 years old or 3 years after they've shown the first signs of puberty have primary amenorrhea, which is usually caused by a genetic abnormality, a hormone imbalance, or a structural problem. Hormones are also often responsible for secondary amenorrhea, which is when a girl who had normal periods suddenly stops menstruating for more than 6 months or three of her usual cycles.

significant weight loss or gain pregnancy is the most common cause of secondary amenorrhea, it should always be ruled out when a girl skips periods. In addition to hormone imbalances, other things that can cause both primary and secondary amenorrhea include: stress significant weight loss or gain anorexia , stopping birth control pills thyroid conditions ovarian cysts other conditions that can affect hormone levels -Something that can also cause primary and secondary amenorrhea is excessive exercising (often distance running ) combined with a poor diet, which usually results in inappropriate weight loss or failure to gain weight during growth.   Since pregnancy is the most common cause of secondary amenorrhea, it should always be ruled out when a girl skips periods. In addition to hormone imbalances, other things that can cause both primary and secondary amenorrhea include: stress significant weight loss or gain anorexia (amenorrhea can be a sign that a girl is losing too much weight and may have anorexia) stopping birth control pills thyroid conditions ovarian cysts other conditions that can affect hormone levels -Something that can also cause primary and secondary amenorrhea is excessive exercising (often distance running ) combined with a poor diet, which usually results in inappropriate weight loss or failure to gain weight during growth. But this doesn't include the usual gym class or school sports team, even those that practice often. To exercise so much that she delays her period, a girl would have to train vigorously for several hours a day, most days of the week, and not get enough calories, vitamins, and minerals.  

Menorrhagia: (Extremely Heavy, Prolonged Periods) -It's normal for a girl's period to be heavier on some days than others. But signs of menorrhagia (excessively heavy or long periods) can include soaking & last longer than 7 days. Girls with menorrhagia sometimes stay home from school or social functions. -The most frequent cause of menorrhagia is an imbalance between the levels of estrogen and progesterone in the body, which allows the endometrium (the lining of the uterus) to keep building up. When the endometrium is finally shed during menstruation, the resulting bleeding is particularly heavy. in some cases, heavy menstrual bleeding can be caused by problems such as: fibroids (benign growths) or polyps in the uterus, thyroid conditions, clotting disorders inflammation or infection in the vagina or cervix Menorrhagia: (Extremely Heavy, Prolonged Periods) -It's normal for a girl's period to be heavier on some days than others. But signs of menorrhagia (excessively heavy or long periods) can include soaking through at least one sanitary(pad) an hour for several hours in a row or periods that last longer than 7 days. Girls with menorrhagia sometimes stay home from school or social functions because they're worried they won't be able to control the bleeding in public. -The most frequent cause of menorrhagia is an imbalance between the levels of estrogen and progesterone in the body, which allows the endometrium (the lining of the uterus) to keep building up. When the endometrium is finally shed during menstruation, the resulting bleeding is particularly heavy. -Because many adolescents have slight hormone imbalances during puberty, menorrhagia isn't uncommon in teens. But in some cases, heavy menstrual bleeding can be caused by problems such as: fibroids (benign growths) or polyps in the uterus thyroid conditions clotting disorders inflammation or infection in the vagina or cervix -If your daughter has heavy periods, or periods that last longer than 7 days, talk to her doctor.

Dysmenorrhea (Painful Periods) -There are two types of dysmenorrhea, which is severely painful menstruation that can interfere with a girl's ability to attend school, study, or sleep: Primary dysmenorrheal: - is very common in teens and is not caused by a disease or other condition. Large amounts of prostaglandin can lead to nausea, vomiting, headaches, backaches, diarrhea, and severe cramps. Fortunately, these symptoms usually last for only a day or two. Secondary dysmenorrhea : -is pain caused by some physical condition like polyps or fibroids in the uterus, endometriosis, pelvic, or adenomyosis (uterine tissue growing into the muscular wall of the uterus).

Treating Menstrual Problems; -To determine whether a problem requires treatment, The doctor may do a pelvic exam, a Pap smear, blood tests (to check hormone levels), or urine tests. If there might be a structural problem or some sort of growth, an ultrasound or CT scan may be performed. Together, these tests can help the doctor determine how a condition should be handled. -Growths such as polyps or fibroids can often be removed and endometriosis can often be treated with medications or surgery. If a hormone imbalance is to blame, the doctor will likely suggest hormone therapy with birth control pills or other hormone-containing medications. for menstrual pain with no underlying medical cause, anti-inflammatory medicines are the most effective treatment. Conditions like clotting disorders or thyroid problems may require treatment with medications as well.

Things help during the PMS -When the woman experiencing a particularly bad PMS or cramps, you can help make her to feel more comfortable by suggest that she: eat a balanced diet with lots of fresh fruit and vegetables reduce her intake of salt (which can cause water retention) and caffeine (which can make her jumpy and anxious) include foods with calcium, which may reduce the severity of her PMS symptoms try over-the-counter pain relievers like acetaminophen or ibuprofen for cramps, headaches, or back pain take a brisk walk or bike ride to relieve stress and aches soak in a warm bath or put a hot water bottle on her abdomen, which may help her relax

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