Menstruation simply explained - which hormones can influence mood & what helps with menstrual pain

Created: 03/08/2022, 17:16

Many women do not know what is happening in their bodies during their menstrual cycle.

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Females menstruate when sexual maturity sets in.

But what happens in the body is a mystery even to many women.

You can read the most important facts about the rule here.

• During the menstrual cycle, the lining of the uterus is built up so that a fertilized egg cell can implant itself there.

• If the egg cell is not fertilized, menstrual bleeding occurs and the body excretes the unneeded lining of the uterus.

• Severe menstrual cramps that limit women* in their everyday lives are not normal.

  Those affected should definitely seek advice from a gynaecologist.

Menstruation as part of the menstrual cycle

The menstrual period lasts between three and seven days, five on average.

The lining of the uterus is excreted with the blood.

But bleeding is only part of the menstrual cycle.

This lasts between 25 and 36 days.

Counting starts from the first day of the menstrual period.

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Only 10 to 15 percent of women have a monthly cycle of exactly 28 days.

The length can also vary from month to month, this is especially the case during puberty and before menopause.

Girls usually have their first menstrual period between the ages of 11 and 14.

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The blood loss during the period is between 15 and 74 milliliters. 

The menstrual cycle is divided into three phases.

Also interesting:

First phase or follicular phase: Menstruation begins

The menstrual cycle begins on the first day of menstruation.

The body sheds the unused lining of the uterus.

The body then produces the hormone estrogen.

The follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) is responsible for this.

As a result, the uterine lining becomes thicker.

At the same time, the sacs (follicles) containing the egg cells in the ovaries are maturing.

In addition, the progesterone level increases.

During this phase, some women experience migraines because estrogen levels are initially low.

In addition, women report that their breasts feel fuller and they

to have.

This is due to the rising estrogen level.

Second phase or ovulation phase: The fertile days

In the ovulation phase, the luteinizing hormone (LH) triggers ovulation.

The egg cell is released into the fallopian tube.

There she is fertile for about twelve to 24 hours.

Important: Sperm survive in the body for up to five days.

Because of this, women have five to six fertile days.

At the same time, the cervical mucus is thinner because of the hormone estrogen.

It lies like a mucus plug in the cervical canal between the vagina and uterus.

Shortly after ovulation, women's body temperature rises by about half a degree Celsius.

So the sperm feel more comfortable and are more active.

In addition, the uterus is supplied with more

, the cervix is ​​softer and more open.

Third phase or luteal phase: The end of the cycle

The empty egg shell in the ovary becomes the corpus luteum.

It keeps the level of the hormone progesterone high.

If the egg cell is not fertilized, the corpus luteum regresses.

Progesterone and estrogen ensure that no further egg follicles mature in this phase of the cycle and after fertilization.

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If the egg cell is

in the fallopian tube , it dies.

As the corpus luteum shrinks, progesterone levels drop and the lining of the uterus cracks and sheds.

Menstrual bleeding begins and the menstrual cycle starts all over again. 

Around 80 percent of women suffer from premenstrual syndrome (PMS).

These symptoms usually begin in the luteal phase.

In addition, the complexion of many women deteriorates.

If the egg cell is fertilized in the fallopian tube

it divides several times and finally nests in the lining of the uterus.

The corpus luteum ensures a high level of progesterone and so the uterine lining does not recede.

The

and a new life can develop.

Read:

Menstrual cramps - that's what's behind it

In order for the uterine lining to be shed, the body releases prostaglandins in the uterine wall.

These are very similar to hormones and ensure that the blood vessels constrict and the muscles contract.

They support the process, but can sometimes lead to pain.

There are also other

that have not yet been fully researched.

Period problems are often summarized under the term PMS, which stands for premenstrual syndrome.

The suffering is very individual.

They can be

.

The most common complaints include:

• abdominal or muscle pain

• headache

• indigestion

• water retention

• circulatory problems

• sleep disorders

• mood swings

• irritation

The psychological stress can lead to depression.

If you are affected, you should definitely seek

Talking to someone you trust can make this step easier.

The

disappear again when the period begins or during the period.

PMS – which helps with menstrual cramps

There is no single solution to period complaints.

In general, a healthy lifestyle and enough sleep help.

Smoking, alcohol and caffeine can increase symptoms.

It is important to listen to your own body and do what is good for you.

Sport helps some, a hot bath or a hot-water bottle helps others.

If the symptoms severely restrict everyday life, painkillers can help.

If even these do not help, those affected should definitely see a doctor.

Sometimes there are wider diseases behind the symptoms, such as endometriosis.

, in which the woman observes her body closely and documents when she has which symptoms,

helps in researching the causes .

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Sources: www.apotheken-umschau.de, www.msdmanuals.com