Periods, Ovulation, and Pregnancy, Oh My!

What is a period?

A menstrual period, commonly known as a period, is the monthly shedding of the uterus lining. Every month a uterus discards an average of 2-3 tablespoons of blood and tissue, which flows out of the vagina. This buildup results from the body getting prepared for a potential growing embryo.

(fig. 1) Uterus Diagram

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/22467-uterus

When and why do periods happen?

The average first period happens at the age of 12, but different bodies have different schedules. Most first periods happen from around 10-15 years old. This timing is due to the fact that during puberty there is a change in hormones in the body. Ovaries release estrogen and progesterone, which send signals to the uterus/womb to start building a lining.

How long do they last?

Periods happen once a month and generally last up to 5 days, but can be shorter or longer. They can also vary each month, and some girls get their period every 3 weeks whereas other girls get their period every 6 weeks.

Menstruation doesn’t happen forever. At a certain time in someone’s life, usually around ages 45-55, someone stops getting their period. This is called the menopause transition, or menopause, and happens to everyone with ovaries.

This transition usually lasts around 7 years but can be as long as 14 years. It is characterized as a “natural decline in reproductive hormones”. Your body goes through a lot of changes during this period. You can experience mood swings and your body temperature can vary.

What are signs I’m about to get my period?

Leading up to your first period you may notice some signs, such as...

• Cramping in your stomach, legs, or back

• Bloating

• Spotting (spots of blood)

• Fatigue

• Break outs (acne/pimples)

• Mood swings

• Breast tenderness

• Body Hair

• Body Odor

• Vaginal Discharge (see What is Ovulation for more information)

Periods and Pregnancy

Getting your first period is normal and is not a sign of pregnancy. It is a sign, however, that this person’s body is now able to get pregnant, so should be more cautious.

If a body gets pregnant, regular menstruation usually stops. Your period may become spotty, and you may get hormonal bleeding, which is a light bleed at around 4 - 8 weeks of pregnancy. This is normal.

What is PMS?

PMS are the symptoms that are commonly had between the menstruation period and the ovulation period. These symptoms are experienced by many people everywhere, are normal, and may include

• Anxiety

• Depressed Mood

• Mood Swings

• Appetite Changes

• Varied Sleep Patterns

• Social Anxiety

• Poor concentration

• Headaches

• Etc.

What is Ovulation and Discharge?

Cervical mucus, often called vaginal discharge or discharge, is a milky-white and slightly stretchy fluid that comes out of the vagina. It helps clean the vagina and keep it healthy. For people with a vagina, it is normal to have about 1/2 to 1 tablespoon of discharge every day.

Ovulation is the time when the ovaries release an egg into the Fallopian tubes. The type of discharge that is released during ovulation is usually wet and stretchy, and looks similar to a raw egg white. A body ovulates about two weeks before the menstruation cycle starts. Ovulation lasts 12 to 48 hours.

A person can start getting vaginal discharge about 6 months to a year before their first period, but it can vary for everyone. Some people get their period much later, and some people don’t get discharge before at all. Ovulation and discharge is a normal part of puberty and woman’s health, and is not a sign of pregnancy.

Ovulation and Pregnancy

Cervical mucus can look like some of the following, depending on where you are in your ovulatory cycle:

• Dry (no fluid)

• Sticky like paste (white or yellow)

• Wet/watery (clear)

• Stretchy/slippery (like raw egg whites)

• White, creamy in texture

See fig. 2 for examples of cervical mucus

(fig. 2) Types of Cervical Mucus

https://www.verywellfamily.com/checking-cervical-mucus-to-get-pregnant-faster-1960279

There are certain signs that you interpret from your cervical mucus which help you determine how fertile (capable to become pregnant) you are during that time. A body is most likely to get pregnant if they have sex five days before ovulation. There are many charts you can find online, such as fig. 3, that represent during the month when your body is most fertile, but every body has different windows of time.

(fig. 3) Average Menstrual Cycle, see 'most fertile days'

https://www.verywellfamily.com/how-long-does-ovulation-last-1960235

Sources:

1. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/premenstrual-syndrome/symptoms-causes/syc-20376780

2. https://www.verywellfamily.com/how-long-does-ovulation-last-1960235

3. https://www.ovusense.com/blog/cervical-mucus-in-early-pregnancy-what-does-it-mean-when-you-are-ttcing/

4. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/24139-menarche

5. https://kidshealth.org/en/teens/vdischarge.html#:~:text=About%206%20months%20to%201,sticky%20to%20thick%20and%20gooey.

6. https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/talk-about-menstruation.html

7. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/21957-cervical-mucus#:~:text=As%20ovulation%20nears%2C%20your%20discharge,back%20to%20thick%20and%20dry.

8. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/periods/starting-periods/#:~:text=The%20average%20girl%20will%20get,varies%20from%20person%20to%20person.

9. https://www.healthline.com/health/fertility/egg-white-cervical-mucus#identifying

10. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/symptoms/4719-vaginal-discharge