Most women of childbearing age have periods. Some of them have light periods that last 2-3 days, while others may have heavy periods that last more than a week. However, there are a lot of myths and misconceptions that can mislead you and cause unpleasant consequences. That’s why we have gathered six facts about periods you should know about.
Even though most women who have menstruation experience pain and discomfort, some of them can have extremely painful periods. Pain during periods (dysmenorrhea) occurs when the uterus is getting rid of the endometrium.
If you have some conditions that affect the endometrium, uterus, or cervix, you can experience severe menstrual cramps and unbearable pain. In this case, it is essential to make an appointment with a gynecologist to define and treat the underlying condition that causes your symptoms.
Many women think that if they have skipped a few periods in a row, it means that they are pregnant. But the reality is that there are a lot of factors that can make your periods disappear. Hormonal imbalance, certain diseases, and some hormonal birth control can affect your menstrual cycle and make your periods late.
Even though many people tend to avoid sex during periods, it can be quite beneficial. The point is that sex and orgasm boost the production of endorphins that can improve your pain and well-being.
Endorphins are chemicals that are responsible for a good mood. Additionally, they have pain-relieving properties that can help ease menstrual pain, headaches, and other symptoms that make you feel bad during periods. That’s why you should try to have sex during menstruation as well if you and your partner are in the mood.
If you are exposed to prolonged stress, your periods can disappear. You should know that your periods have a strong relationship with ovulation. Stress suppresses ovulation, and it affects your periods as well. Additionally, if you have gained or lost weight suddenly or exercise excessively, it can also impact your periods. Nevertheless, it is better to visit your gynecologist for a thorough examination.
Many people think that it is impossible to get pregnant during periods, and there is no need to use barrier contraception. But the truth is that there are women that conceived a child during periods.
A fertile window in women usually occurs a few delays before, during, and after ovulation. If your periods are late for a few days and coincide with this fertile window, fertilization can occur. The point is that the sperm can stay active in a proper environment for a few days. That’s why it is better to use contraception even during periods if you don’t want to get pregnant.
If you experience severe pain and cramping during periods, your gynecologist can prescribe hormonal birth control to ease your symptoms. Due to the fact that hormonal birth control suppresses ovulation, your periods may become lighter, less painful, or even disappear. However, you shouldn’t buy birth control pills without consultation since the type of pills should be chosen based on your hormone levels and underlying conditions.
It is extremely important to monitor your periods since they can manifest some malfunctions in your body. Additionally, you need to visit your gynecologist on a regular basis to prevent the development of conditions that can worsen your periods and well-being in general.
