Teens Zones: How to Calculate Menstrual Cycle and Associated Disorders
As living organisms grow, there are certain changes that will occur and these changes are very crucial in the lives of the organism. Humans are no exceptional, in females, menstruation is very important in reproduction and growth in humans. This article seeks to assist teens to calculate their menstrual cycles.
Introduction
Transition from infancy to adolescent, these changes are irreplaceable in humans, menstruation is inseparable in females. In the growth process certain hormones are produced. These hormones help in the development of sexual characteristics of the individual.
What is menstruation?
Menstruation simply means the monthly flow of blood in females who have attained the sexual maturity stage through the birth canal. This is a part of the fertility characteristics of the individual. This occurs within certain period which is averagely between 5-7/8 days, depending on your menstrual cycle.
We are going to guide you through step by step as to how you can calculate your menstrual cycle. Get to know the importance of menstruation on humans (females). Stick to the article and read through.
It is of great importance to embark on huge menstrual awareness campaigns to bring to the attention of individuals and to let them know the essence of it. In most deprived communities the stigma associated with menstruation is so huge. The taboos and the meanings read into it cannot be underestimated.
What is menstrual cycle?
Menstrual cycle is the number of days from the first day of bleeding to the first day of next bleeding. This is mostly 28 -35, this figure varies as there are some variations in individual menstrual cycle. It should be noted that, getting to know ones menstrual cycle, just a month observation is not enough. Since it might not give you the actual picture of what you cycle is.
So for example, is the count from my first day of bleeding to the first day of my next bleeding is 28 days. Then it means my menstrual cycle is 28. You should do this continuous to know the right outlook of it. Find that in the lines below as we take you through how you can calculate your menstrual cycle.
Few things to know
Sexual maturity: these are the changes that occur in an individual with the development of reproduction gametes. At this stage, we can say an individual has attained sexual maturity. In females, the follow secondary characters are to be expected. Menstruation start, ovulation or release of eggs, enlarged mammary glands, enlarged hips and growth of hairs around pubic areas are some features.
During this period is females, two crucial hormones are produced. These are oestrogen and progesterone. These are all produced by the ovaries.
The progesterone helps to prepare and strengthen the lining of the uterus and to also keep the uterus in good shape to receive a foetus. It is believe that, at this period pregnancy can happen and so the uterus needs to be strong enough to hold the foetus. The progesterone also ensures enough blood and nutrients are available in the uterus.
The oestrogen on the other hand, controls all activities that have to do with menstruation. The menstrual activity affects the heart, blood vessel, hair, mucus membranes, reproductive tract, urinary tract, muscles around pelvic, brains, etc. It is the functions of the oestrogen to have all these regulated for their optimum functioning.
How to calculate menstrual cycle
The average menstrual cycle is about 28 or 35 and this starts from the first day of your first bleeding to the first day of your next bleeding. This constitutes your menstrual cycle and you can calculate to know when is going to be your next menstrual cycle as a teen.
- Pick about 45 pebbles or use the calendar date if you could but I advise you use pebbles, make sure they are kept in safe place. You can alternatively use tally (by making strokes on a sheet). How to do it: pick out one pebble and put it somewhere on the first day you see your menses. If you are using tally (markings on a sheet), make one mark on the sheet on the first of your menses.
- Continue to remove or make your markings up to your next menstruation date (up to when you will start bleeding again).
- The number obtained within this period is your menstrual cycle.
- Now take the average of this number and that will be your ovulation period. That is, the period where eggs are released by the ovaries into the fallopian tract.
- For example, if you get 28; the average will be 14 days. Meaning, counting from the first day of the start of your bleeding up to the 14th day, you have another egg(s) released. If yours is 26 days, the ovulation period will be on the 12th day.
- This egg(s) stay in the fallopian tube till your next bleeding date where the uterine lining or wall break down and the egg come out as menstruation.
- Note: to know the true picture of your menstrual cycle. Continue this process for about three months and take the average. Take the average of your three month menstrual cycle observation; divide the total number obtained by three.
What is the safe period?
The safe period will be from the time your bleeding stops up to a day before the release of egg(s) (ovulation) by the ovaries. Let’s look at this scenario, if my cycle is 28 days and say the menses starts on the first of the month by eighth, it should stop. So from that period to the thirteenth is considered to be safe for any sexual related activities. This is about 5 days.
The onus lies on you to use this clue to know your menstrual cycle to be able to determine your next ovulation date, menstruation and to also know your safe periods.
Symptoms of menstruation
Some symptoms of menstruation include the following:
- Headache
- Tenderness of breast
- Mood swing
- Food craving
- Abdominal pain
- General body weakness, etc. these are most common ones and they do not mean you are having a menstrual disorder except in few cases.
Disorders associated with menstruation
- Amenorrhea (not experiencing any menstruation at all)
- Menorrhagia (heavy bleeding)
- Menorrhagia (irregular menstrual cycle)
- Dysmenorrhea (painful cramps)
They are more other disorders associated with menstruation. If you do experience any abnormalities in your menses, do well to visit a gynaecologist or consult your doctor for assistance. Avoid the habits of taking pain-killers to suppress pains associated with your menses.
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