Menstruation Cycle: What Every Teenager Girl Should Know

The menstruation cycle is a pretty interesting topic for ladies especially for teenagers. “Are you ready to become a woman?” Usually this is how some people refer to the time when a girl has her first menstruation.

Some girls are pretty excited about the whole growing up thing and can’t wait to have their first menstruation. Some view this question playfully while others see the whole process as a serious thing. But is it really appropriate to use the words “becoming a woman” when it happens to a child? Most girls begin to menstruate between the ages of 12 and 15. Some girls as early as 9 years old or as late as 17.

The fact is that when you are already menstruating, you can already be impregnated. Yes, don’t miss this important fact! Your body has now the ability to get pregnant and have babies. But for the most parts like emotionally and mentally, you still have a long way to go to becoming a wonderful mature woman that I am sure you would like to be.

The first menstruation as I said can be taken lightly or solemnly. Either way, girls should know it is coming or it may frighten them. Knowledge of menstruation, its process and understanding helps the teenager. It is important to be aware that this is all very natural and half the human race (the female half to be more exact) undergoes the same thing.

Let’s take Claire (not her real name) for example. She had no idea that her first menstruation was coming. She was away from home attending a summer camp. She was frightened when she saw that her panties and pajamas became bloody. She hid her clothes and didn’t tell anyone. Good thing, an older friend found the hidden clothes and explained to her what was happening. She was showed some sanitary napkins and how to use them. The girl also helped her washed her clothes. The fear and panic could have been avoided if she understood what was going to happen.

Phase 1: Day 1 to 5

• Uterine Lining: The uterine lining is shed. Menstruation is taking place.
• Ovaries/Follicles: The ovaries are producing minimal amounts of hormones
• Pituitary Glands: The pituitary glands are producing minimal amounts of hormones

Phase 2: Days 6 to 15

• Uterine Lining: The uterine lining is beginning to thicken
• Ovaries/Follicles: The ovaries are producing the hormone estrogen, the follicles in the ovary are moving toward the ovary’s surface.
• Pituitary Glands: The pituitary glands are producing the hormone FSH.

Phase 3: Day 14 to Ovulation

• Ovaries/Follicles: The ripe ovum detaches from the ovary and moves into the fallopian tube.
• Pituitary Glands: The pituitary glands release LH, a hormone.

Phase 4: Days 15 to 28

• Uterine Lining: The uterine lining breaks down and this is the first day of menstrual bleeding
• Ovaries/Follicles: The remnants of the follicle become the corpus luteum and begin to make the hormone progesterone. The progesterone causes the uterine lining to grow thicker. The corpus luteum disintegrates when fertilization does not occur. The disintergration of the corpus luteum means that progesterone is no longer being produced.

Your body has been creatively designed! Wouldn’t it be wonderful to celebrate this process of journeying into womanhood? You bet! Girls would likely notice that you all mature differently in many aspects like the details of breasts, the size of your hips, body hair, mental outlook and including your interest in boys. Discuss with someone you trust all these things so you could understand all the complex changes taking place.

One way to associate happy feelings would be to celebrate it. Some suggestions would be to:

• Do a simple ritual of thanksgiving. Light a candle and say a prayer of gratitude.
• Say an affirmation, “I am happy to be alive and I welcome the process of womanhood!”
• Buy a cake and share it with family or close friends.
• Write your experience in a journal or diary.

Or you may have your own ideas on how to do it. The essential thing is to remember that having your monthly period or undergoing your menstruation cycle is not a “curse.” You might resent that you now have to leave your “girly-hood” and is still longing to be babied by your parents. So the celebration or a mini party would show that menstruation is like sort of an accomplishment, much like you are a year older.

©My Digest