Is your period “normal?”
We have thought quite a bit about what we wanted to share with you all in our first post, and have come to the conclusion that the best place to start is at the beginning! What are periods, why do they happen, and what is “normal”
Menstruation begins when menstruators (or folks with vaginas) go through puberty. Puberty generally begins around ages 10 to 14, but can fall outside of that age range and still be considered normal. Menstruation occurs after ovulation (after an egg is released from the ovaries) in a cycle that lasts around 28 days. About every month or so an egg is released into the uterus. If the egg is not fertilized, the body reacts with a period. The period is the shedding of the uterine lining (endometrium) to ensure that the body stays healthy in case of pregnancy. Wild, right?!
But what happens in the meantime? Regardless of what a menstruator decides about childbearing, they will still get a period! What’s a normal period? And will all periods be the exact same? Periods (generally) fall on a 28 day cycle as a result of ovulation. This does not always happen, though. Sometimes, when a person first menstruates, it may take the body some time to get used to the whole ovulation thing and come at different times. Annoying, right?! Sometimes the body needs some time to get used to this new thing called menstruation, and can be irregular. The irregularity of periods (for example, the inconsistency of duration, time between, or heaviness of the flow) generally goes away with time. If it doesn’t, some folks choose to take birth control pills that release hormones to regulate the period so they don’t get surprised and ruin their brand new underwear.
The average period lasts around 3 to 7 days, but there is a range of normal. Therefore, it isn’t bad if a period lasts 8 days or 2- it all varies from person to person! Menstrual discharge is made up of a combination of blood and uterine lining (tissue). That’s why periods can sometimes look chunky or brown. There is a spectrum of what is normal, meaning, that normal for one person may be unusual for another. Some people have heavy periods that require super-absorbent tampons. Others will be fine with a disposable or reusable pad for an entire day! It all depends!
The moral of the story? A lot of things are normal when it comes to menstruation and periods. It is generally a matter of discovering what is normal for you, and paying attention to anything that might fall outside of that. If a period seems out of the ordinary, speak with a doctor or midwife. It’s always better to be safe than sorry. Periods are quite a neat thing when you think about it, and that is why it is important to educate yourself. A new generation of period pride is emerging, go out there and learn and spread the news! Signing off for now, all. Happy periods!
Author: Ruth Sheldon (she/her/they/them), Health and Sexuality Educator, Richfield Public Schools
Reviewers: Dr. Vicky Woo, MD, OB/GYN, Dr. Namrata Mastey, MD, OB/GYN
The information provided here is intended as a generalized overview of period health and does not substitute for medical advice. The content of this article is part of a separate campaign called Ask Me About Periods. It is not a product of The Rag. To learn more about Ask Me About Periods, please visit www.period.org/chapters. If you have questions about Ask Me About Periods, please email PERIOD Programs Director, Annie Hooper, at annie@period.org.
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