Everything You Don’t Want to Ask But Need To Know

There are so many questions about the menstrual cycle that we want to ask but can’t because of fear and stigma. Our menstrual cycle controls our entire body. From regulating hormones to our mood. 

It’s important to know as much as we can about our cycles. Unfortunately, readily available information isn’t accessible to everyone. 

There are some frequent questions, such as are heavy cramps normal, my period color has changed, why is my flow irregular, or why am I bleeding lightly before period. You can find the answers to these common questions in our Chondopedia blogs.

Let’s tackle some more common questions we want to ask but we don’t. We need to know all the info we can.  

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No, they are not. Menstruation means period. Our body releases matured eggs for fertilization and latch on to the uterus. If the fertilization doesn’t happen, the uterus wall starts shedding and 14 days later, we release it through our vagina. This is called menstruation. It happens for 3-7 days. 

Since the process leading up to menstruation takes a month or so, this process is called the menstrual cycle. The day you start your period, your cycle starts and ends the day before you start your next period. From your next period, you will start another cycle. 

A menstrual cycle lasts for 24-38 days usually. For most, it lasts for 28 days. It’s natural for the cycle to fluctuate for 3-4 days. If you are under stress or have a change in diet, your cycle will change as well. Until you are 18 years old, your cycle will be a bit unstable [link]. 

However, if your cycle lasts less than 20 days or more than 40, that is not normal. You must consult a doctor. 

Yes, you can. You can get pregnant any time during the menstrual cycle if you are fertile. While the chances of conceiving during a period are low, it’s not impossible. If you don’t use any contraceptives, you will risk pregnancy. 

Ovulation releases an egg which is fertilized by sperm. No fertilization means period. But sperm can live for 5-7 days inside you after entering. This means, there is a chance, albeit small, that you can conceive. 

You can have increased arousal anytime during the menstrual cycle. The most common time is the ovulation period. Estrogen and testosterone are released which is connected to rising libido. Plus, ovulation is the most fertile time. So, all your instincts go haywire. You will feel wetter too. 

During the first day of your period, estrogen is lower but rises again in the next few days. Meanwhile, progesterone levels decrease. This can be a reason why you feel aroused during menstruation. Intercourse during periods can help you to ease cramps and relieve headaches. 

Most women stop having periods at 45-55. Lower hormone levels cause menopause. Sometimes natural causes or ovary/uterus removal can lead to early menopause. But until you reach middle age, you should have periods once a month.