Periods & womens health
MenstruationPeriods and Women's Health
The average woman will have about 500 periods in her lifetime, beginning around the age of 12 until about 51 years of age.
Back to top >>What is Menstruation?
During menstruation (also called period) a woman bleeds from her uterus (womb) via the vagina. Most periods last from three to seven days.
Back to top >>Why do women menstruate?
Menstruation is a complicated process involving women's hormones, sex organs and the brain. In the first half of a woman's cycle levels of oestrogen (female hormone) start to rise and make the lining of the uterus grow and thicken. At the same time, a single egg will usually ripen and mature due to action of the hormones circulating in the bloodstream. At around day 14 of a typical 28 day cycle, the egg leaves the ovary and this is called ovulation.
After the egg matures it bursts and travels through the fallopian tube to the uterus. The lining of the uterus (the endometrium) has been thickened by the actions of the hormones and made ready to receive the fertilized egg. If the egg is fertilized, the woman will become pregnant. If the egg is not ferilised, it will break apart, hormone levels will change and the thickened lining of the uterus is shed during the menstruation period. The amount of blood lost during a normal period is usually less that 80ml.
Back to top >>Ovulation
Ovulation is a sign of a woman's fertility and therefore her ability to conceive. During ovulation an egg or ovum is released from the ovary into the fallopian tube.
Ovulation usually happens around day 14 after the first day of when a woman's period has started. However, the exact timing can differ from woman to woman. Some women know when they are ovulating. Some of these signs include; lower abdominal pain, slight bleeding and vaginal discharge.
Back to top >>What Influences Menstruation?
As already mentioned, menstruation is a complex process involving hormones and the sexual organs. First and foremost, hormones have a major influence on menstruation. If they are not balanced, a woman's cycle will be affected. If a woman's period becomes too irregular, they should see a doctor for advice. Other influences on hormones and menstruation include a woman's weight, stress levels and her general fitness and health.
Back to top >>Pre Menstruation Symptoms (PMS) and Painful Periods
PMS is a range of emotional and physical symptoms that women suffer, at or before, their period starts. The symptoms usually clear when bleeding starts but for some women they can persist for a day or so longer.
Periods can also be very painful, however the degree of discomfort varies from woman to woman. Some women are never bothered by their periods and for some women, period pain is part of their normal cycle. Symptoms of period pain include:
- Pains in the stomach
- Headache
- Breast swelling or tenderness
- Tiredness and fatigue
- Sweating
- Depression, irritability and tension
Finding Relief from Period Pain
There are several things a woman can do to alleviate period pain:
- Plan to get a good nights sleep
- Evening Primrose taken daily can help tender breasts
- Avoid drinking caffeinated drinks such as coffee and cola drinks
- Avoid stress by trying relaxation methods such as massage
- Exercise and staying fit can help prevent painful periods
- Keep your tummy area warm with a water bottle
When Periods Stop Altogether (Amenorrhoea)
A woman's period can stop altogether. Some of the reasons include:
- Pregnancy
- Premature menopause
- Weight gain
- Some forms of medication including the contraceptive pill or injections
- Drug abuse
- Stress
- Hormonal imbalances such as underactive thyroid gland or the overproduction of a hormone called prolactin
- A condition called polycystic ovaries is a common cause of irregular or absent periods
Women should seek advice from a doctor if they are unsure as to why their periods have stopped.
Back to top >>Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS)
TSS is a rare but serious illness that may cause death. It can be treated successfully if treated quickly. Most people make a full recovery. It is caused by a toxin which is produced by a type of bacteria (staphylococcus aureus). This bacteria may be found on the skin, and occasionally in the vagina, without causing harm.
Back to top >>Who is at Risk?
TSS can occur in both males and females of any age but is more common in young women who use tampons during their period.
Back to top >>What are the Symptoms of TSS?
The early symptoms of TSS may begin suddenly, and are similar to the flu. Remember, early recognition of these symptoms is very important. Symptoms include:
- Feeling very ill, headaches, muscular pains
- High fever and chills, usually 39°C (102°F) or higher
- Vomiting, diarrhoea or both
- Fainting, dizziness, weakness or confusion
- Sunburnt like rash
What to do if you think you have TSS
If, during your period or shortly after, you have any of the above symptoms, REMOVE YOUR TAMPON AND SEE YOUR DOCTOR IMMEDIATELY. Remember, it is very important to tell your doctor you have been using tampons. If you have ever had TSS, you should not use tampons until you have discussed the matter with a doctor. You may not have developed resistance to the toxin and could get TSS again.
Back to top >>How does TSS occur?
If the toxin is produced in the vagina or a wound, and absorbed from there into the blood stream, a person who is not resistant to the toxin may become ill. Most people develop resistance to the toxin (that is why the illness is so rare) and in these people there is no harmful effect. The symptoms of TSS may develop rapidly. Early recognition of these symptoms can usually prevent serious illness.
Back to top >>Do tampons cause TSS?
The simple answer is no. Tampons do not carry the bacteria that cause TSS. However, tampon use has been associated with an increased risk of TSS. Although TSS can occur with the use of tampons of any absorbency, the risk increases with the use of tampons of higher absorbency.
Back to top >>Precautions for Tampon Use
Take special care with personal hygiene during menstruation. You should use the lowest absorbency tampon for your comfort and level of blood flow. Wash your hands before unwrapping and inserting the tampon, and again afterwards. Unwrap a fresh, clean tampon just before use, and do not handle more than necessary or place it on any surface. Do not insert a tampon if it hurts to do so. Only use one tampon at a time. Removal of the tampon should be easy. If the tampon is dry and difficult to remove, the absorbency is too high or the tampon has not been in place long enough. Tampons should be changed as often as you need but should not be left longer than 8 hours. Remove the used tampon before inserting the next one and do not forget to remove the last tampon used at the end of a period. Tampons can be used at night but remember to insert a new tampon before going to sleep and replace it again first thing in the morning. Only use a tampon when menstruating. Ask a doctor if it is okay to use tampons if you have recently given birth, had a caesarean section, a miscarriage, an abortion or any operation on your reproductive system. Please note that tampons are not sterile and neither are your hands or vagina. Tampons while containing very small amounts of bacteria normally present in the air, have not been shown to carry the bacteria which cause Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS).
Back to top >>Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD)
Sexually transmitted diseases or STD's result from infections, which can be passed on from one person to another during sex. A person can pass it on to another person through vaginal intercourse, anal intercourse and oral sex. There are two main types of STD's, those caused by viruses (more serious) and those caused by bacteria.
Back to top >>The common viral STD's are:
- Genital warts
- Genital herpes
- Hepatitis B
- HIV - the AIDS virus
The most common bacterial STD's are:
- Chlamydia
- Gonorrhoea
- Syphilis
- Unusual discharge from the penis or vagina
- Bleeding after sex
- Lumps, sores, rashes, blisters or itching on the genitals
- Pain when urinating
Cervical Cancer
What is Cervical Cancer?
Cervical Cancer is cancer of the cervix and is almost always caused by a virus called the human papillomavirus (HPV). HPV is a very common virus of which there are many types. The types that can cause cervical cancer do not usually have any symptoms.
Back to top >>What is Human Papillomavirus (HPV)?
HPV is a very common and can cause an infection in the cells of the cervix, vagina and genital area. Fortunately, for 9 out of 10 people, infection is cleared naturally through the body's own defenses; however for some women, HPV infection will not clear by itself and over time can develop into different diseases which affect the genital area. These diseases can occur internally or externally and include cervical pre-cancerous lesions, cervical cancer and genital warts.
When HPV infection does not clear up on its own, it can cause cells in the cervix to change and become abnormal. In a small number of people, these cells can go on to become pre-cancerous or cancerous if left untreated. Women should have a smear test to detect any signs of abnormal cells.
Back to top >>Cervical Screening (Cervical smear test)
Cervical screening is not a test for diagnosing cervical cancer. It is a test to check the health of the cervix, which is the lower part of the womb. For many women, the test results will come back showing everything is fine, but for one in twenty women the test shows changes or abnormalities in cells. It is not yet clear which minor abnormalities will develop into cancer and which will not. However, many women will worry when abnormal cells are found. Regular cervical screening is the best way to detect changes to the cervix early. Early detection and treatment can prevent cancer developing in around 75% of cases. Visit the screen website at www.cancerscreening.nhs.uk
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