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Menstruation - having periods - begins when girls become sexually
mature during puberty. During a period, a woman bleeds naturally from
the vagina for three to seven days. Periods occur around every 28
days and are a sign that the body is functioning normally
Why does it happen?
Menstruation is an essential part of the body's monthly reproductive
cycle.
Women's internal sex organs are comprised of two ovaries, which produce
eggs and hormones, the uterus (womb), the vagina and the Fallopian
tubes. These link the ovary to the uterus. The ovaries produce the
eggs from which the foetus develops.
What happens during menstruation?
During each period a single egg ripens and matures. Then it bursts
from the ovary and goes through the Fallopian tubes down into the
uterus. The uterus lining - the endometrium - has been thickened,
ready to receive the fertilised egg.
If the egg is fertilised and the woman becomes pregnant, it attaches
itself to the endometrium. If the egg isn't fertilised the lining
slips away and menstruation starts. The discharge is the endometrium
itself with a small amount of blood.
When do girls start to have periods?
Any age from 10 to 16, but the average age is around 12. Periods continue
until the age of 45 to 55, when menopause starts.
Link to:
About
your period and your cycle
Pads,
Tampons etc
Missing
your period
PMS,
Cramps, Bloating etc
Tampons
and toxic shock syndrome
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