5 Things You May Not Know About Your Cycle
Women have menstrual cycles, and that’s just the way it is. Sometimes, you feel like an expert on the subject, passing down information you learned from a mother, sister, aunt, etc. onto the next generation.
But did you know there’s more to it than bleeding? Check these five facts out.
1. Your cycle is designed to get you pregnant.
When ovulation happens in the middle of your cycle, an egg is released from the ovaries and moves to the Fallopian tubes where it could possibly meet with sperm and get fertilized. While this is happening, your body is producing more hormones than usual, which causes the lining of your uterus to thicken, and encourage an egg to implant itself. But if no pregnancy happens that month, the lining comes loose, and that’s your period!
2. Taking hormonal birth control? You’re basically having fake periods.
If you’re taking the pill, the ring, an IUD or an implant, then you are experiencing something just a bit different. The hormones in birth control tell your body that it doesn’t need to produce any more hormones. Without those added hormones, you don’t build up much of a lining each month, thus why birth control makes periods a lot lighter. Unless you’re using an IUD, most women don’t ovulate at all while on BC.
3. There is no reason to have a period while on birth control, and you can even SKIP IT.
Since it’s a fake period, there is no medical reason requiring you to experience a period.
You can experience some spotting here and there, but there is no harm in taking birth control back-to-back without having a free week for your period. There are actual birth control pills prescribed with this in mind! This is especially helpful for women who experience horrible periods or bad causes of PMS. Be sure to check with your doctor before making this lifestyle change.
4. The best way to help cramps is to take medicine BEFORE they start.
Nobody likes to experience pain, especially abdominal cramps. While a lot of women sweat it out and only take Motrin or Tylenol once it becomes unbearable, the best method as proven by doctors is to take an over the counter pain reliever before the symptoms even start, which also dramatically decreases bleeding. Smart!
and lastly,
Feminine odor during or after a period is completely normal.
Put down the scented tampons! The inside of your vagina should not smell, at all. However, it is very common to have a slight odor during your period since your pH levels are altered by having a cycle. Scented tampons are chemically scented, and the toxins and perfumes contained within them can cause all kinds of nasty and potentially life-threatening infections. Proper vaginal hygiene can help prevent odors and infections as well; make sure you are following a proper diet for your vaginal health!