All About Periods

If you are AFAB (assigned female at birth), most of us go through the ‘joys’ of having a period every month. When this time comes, or is happening, you may wonder what exactly is going on.

What is a period?

During a month, your uterine lining builds up in anticipation for a fertilized egg, if an egg does not become fertilized within this time frame, your uterine lining will break down and shed. This is what a period, or menstruation, is. Hormones are what send the message to your brain to build up or break down your uterine lining during the month. A menstrual cycle is the entire process your body goes through from the first day of your period until the first day of your next period. On average, these cycles are 24 - 38 days and your period can be anywhere from three to seven.

What is my body doing during this menstrual cycle?

During a menstrual cycle, there are four main phases your body goes through. To explain this, I am going to base this off a 28 day cycle menstrual cycle. Phase one - The menses phase

This phase usually lasts from day one to day five. This is your period - where your uterine lining sheds.

Phase two - The follicular phase

This phase will usually occur from day six to 14. This is where your hormones, estrogen and progesterone, rise and send the signal to thicken your uterine lining. Another hormone, called follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), slowly starts increasing here as well. FSH causes follicles to grow and these follicles contain the eggs in your body. Somewhere later in this phase, FSH decreases, usually causing only one egg to fully develop.

Phase three - Ovulation/ Ovulatory phase

Ovulation is when your body releases an egg (for fertilization). In a 28 day cycle, this typically happens around day 14. During this phase, a hormone called the luteinizing hormone (LH), spikes causing the follicle holding the egg to burst, thus releasing the egg so you ovulate.

Final phase - Luteal Phase

This phase is the remaining days of your cycle, day 15 to 28. The ruptured follicle from above creates a cyst called corpus luteum. The corpus luteum produces high levels of progesterone. Progesterone is vital to having a healthy pregnancy. It allows your uterine lining to grow thicker, grants the nutrients and oxygen a fetus would need, and creates thicker cervical mucus to further protect the fetus from sperm or other bacteria entering the uterus. A developing embryo will then produce a hormone called human chorionic gonadotropin. Also known as HCG, this hormone is what pregnancy tests look for when used. When you do not become pregnant, the corpus luteum breaks down after 14 days, estrogen and progesterone decline, causing your thickened uterus lining to drop, and the cycle begins all over again.

What is normal vaginal discharge? When should I worry?

During the menstrual cycle, you may also notice a change in vaginal discharge. Keeping the example of a 28 day cycle, discharge will look like as follows:

Days 1-4: (If your period has ended within this time) Discharge will be dry or tacky. May be white or yellow

Days 4-6:

Sticky. Slightly damp and white Days 7-9:

Creamy. It may be like yogurt consistency, it could be wet and cloudy. Days 10-14:

Stretchy and very similar to raw egg whites. Slippery and very wet.

Days 14-28:

Dry until your period comes again. Keep in mind that not everyone follows a 28 day cycle, this could mean your discharge lasts longer (or shorter) than normal. Also, there are many factors that can change discharge. Medications, whether over the counter or prescription, can influence discharge. Antihistamines for example, (like Benadryl), can cause your discharge to be dry. Other possible factors could include: breastfeeding, birth control, infection/medical changes (like surgery), sex, and diet. Spotting may also be something you notice when observing discharge.

Spotting is trace amounts of blood/mucus that fills up no more than a panty liner. It happens to everyone and does not always indicate anything is wrong. If you spot dark red or brown, especially before/after a period, this is typically a result of older blood taking longer to travel through you. Pink discharge is the result of cervical mucus mixing with blood. Although pink discharge can be caused from implantation bleeding (when an egg imbeds in the uterine wall, it can break down some blood vessels, thus causing you to bleed a very minimal amount), pink discharge can also have other reasons to occur. Ovulation bleeding is one cause for pink discharge. (Bleeding when you release an egg.) This is harmless and only happens to about 5% of women according to a study in the National Library of Medicine. Pink discharge may also occur a bit before your period (instead of dark red/brown) as a result of your period coming. Finally, possible irritation or small tears can occur after sex and this may look like pink discharge, due to arousal fluid created to lube the vagina. Here is a helpful image from Moxie, that can be a good guide when you notice certain discharge:

Overall, if your discharge is white, clear, yellow tinged, or maybe even pink, it is usually not a cause for concern. If you are worried about anything with your vaginal health or period, it is always recommended to talk to a doctor or gynecologist! (I am not a licensed professional.) If you are afraid you may have come in contact with someone who has an STD, some clinics like Planned Parenthood may be able to offer services to you for free.

---

If you have any questions, advice, or suggestions, please feel free to contact me via social media! Thank y’all for reading and see you next month!