Your Body And Menstruation
Contents
1. her o oo project Woman s Reproductive System p 2 Menstruation p 5 Feminine Hygiene During Menstruation p 8 Reproductive Tract Infections p 9 Woman s Reproductive System A woman has sexual parts both outside external and inside internal her body They are called the reproductive organs or genitals The external parts are what you see your vulva and anus The internal parts are where babies are made Every woman s body is different and looks slightly different in size shape and color External Reproductive Parts a he _ Clitoris Opening of eye urethra Opening of vagina Labia majora lt E Labia minora 7 A i Hymen _ Perineum ee AUS The external reproductive parts include the following Labia majora Outer folds The fatty lips that close up when the legs are together protect the inner parts Labia minora Inner folds These flaps of skin are soft hairless and are sensitive to touch During sex the inner lips swell and turn darker Opening of vagina The opening of the vagina Hymen The thin piece of skin just inside the vaginal opening A hymen may stretch or tear and bleed a little when a woman works hard plays sports participates in other activities or has sex for the first time All hymens are different Some women do not have a hymen at all Anus The opening of the intestine where waste leaves the body Clitoris Small2. and shaped like a flower bud the clitoris is the part of the vulva that is most sensitive to touch Rubbing it and the area around it can make a woman sexually excited and cause her to climax Opening of urethra The outer opening of the urethra which is a short tube that carries urine from where it is stored in the bladder to the outside of the body Chapter 4 Understanding Our Bodies A Woman s Reproductive System Where Women Have No Doctor Hesperian http en hesperian org hhg Where Women Have No Doctor A Woman E2 80 99s Reproduc tive System Female External Genital Organs The Merck Manual Home Health Handbook http www merckmanuals com home womens health issues biology of the female reproductive system female external genital organs html Ibid BSR HERproject Your Body and Menstruation Health Manual Internal Genitalia The internal reproductive parts include the following Ovaries The ovaries release one egg into a woman s Fallopian tubes each month When a man s sperm joins the egg it can develop into a baby A woman has two ovaries one on each side of the womb Each ovary is about the size of an almond or grape Cervix This is the opening or mouth of the womb where it opens into the vagina Sperm can enter the womb through the small hole in the cervix During childbirth the cervix opens to let the baby come out Womb uterus The womb is a hollow muscle Monthly bl
3. has a strong smell looks cloudy or contains blood e Occasionally sufferers develop a fever If a UTI goes untreated it can develop into a kidney infection Kidney infections tend to affect the whole body and be more severe Symptoms of a kidney infection include the following e Symptoms of lower UTIs that persist longer than a week e An increased need to urinate at night e Chills and persistent fever typically lasting more than two days Urinary Tract Infection Smith College Student Information www smith edu health facturinarytract html BSR HERproject Your Body and Menstruation Health Manual 10 e Pain that runs along the back at about waist level e Vomiting and nausea TREATMENT In order to cure a UTI or a kidney infection it is important to take antibiotics The number of days the antibiotics are prescribed depends of the length and severity of symptoms It is important to take the medication exactly as prescribed and for the full number of days prescribed even after you start to feel better In some cases a medication can be prescribed to make urinating more comfortable until the antibiotic begins to work PREVENTION There are a number of ways to reduce the possibility of developing a UTI Urinate immediately after sexual intercourse Always urinate when there is an urge to do so Do not wait more than three or four hours between urination Wipe from the front to back after urinating or after eac
4. PREVENTION PID can be cured with several types of antibiotics The following help to prevent PID Given the link between PID and STD s preventing STDs or getting early treatment for STDs reduces the risk of PID Use latex male condoms during intercourse Have sex with one partner who doesn t have any STDs Do not douche Urinary Tract and Kidney Infections A urinary tract infection UTI is a bacterial infection of the bladder and occasionally of the higher parts of the urinary tract It is caused by a variety of bacteria but most commonly the organism responsible is Escherichia coli E coli E coli is present in the large intestine of all healthy men and women Some women are more susceptible to a UTI than others and the reason is not always apparent Certain factors increase the chance of infection The female urethra urinary opening lies just under the clitoris and is continually rubbed during sexual intercourse If intercourse Is particularly vigorous or prolonged or if the vagina is not well lubricated during intercourse then a woman is more likely to develop a UTI SYMPTOMS If someone has a UTI she may experience some or all of the following symptoms e She may feel the need to urinate frequently e Blood may be present in the urine e Generally she may feel a painful burning sensation when urinating discomfort or pressure in the lower abdomen or pain in the pelvic area or back e The urine often
5. PTOMS The most common symptom of a yeast infection is extreme itchiness in and around the vagina Other symptoms include Burning redness and swelling of the vagina and the vulva Pain when urinating Pain during sex Soreness A thick white vaginal discharge A rash on the vagina TREATMENT Yeast infections are easily cured through antifungal medicines One home solution is to mix three tablespoons of vinegar with one liter quart of boiled and cooled water Soak a piece of clean cotton in the mixture and insert it into the vagina every night for three nights Remove the cotton each morning PREVENTION Yeast infections can be prevented by wearing loose clothing and underclothing made of cotton rather than polyester or nylon These let air flow around the genitals Other ways of preventing yeast infections include Avoid douches Change sanitary napkins often during your period Change out of wet swimsuits and exercise clothes as soon as possible BSR HERproject Your Body and Menstruation Health Manual 12
6. eeding comes from the womb The baby grows here during pregnancy Vagina or birth canal The vagina leads from the vulva to the womb The vagina is made of a special kind of skin that stretches easily during sex and when giving birth The vagina makes a fluid or wetness discharge that helps it keep itself clean and prevent infection A girl is not born ready to have a baby She is born with all of the important body parts but they do not start working until she reaches puberty For most of you these parts are working properly and you can have a baby now The way that you know you can have a baby is because you have monthly bleeding A girl generally has her first monthly bleeding between the ages of 11 and 17 If a woman does not have her monthly bleeding by 17 she should see a doctor A woman will generally stop having her monthly bleeding completely when she approaches older age generally between age 40 and 60 The menstrual cycle including monthly bleeding is a part of every woman s life it is natural and not shameful It is the process of fertility and is part of being a woman Through the menstrual cycle a woman s body provides hormones that keep her healthy and help prepare her body for pregnancy Hormones Hormones are chemicals the body makes that control how and when the body grows During the years when she can have a baby hormones cause a woman s body to prepare for possible pregnancy each month They also tell her o
7. g the cloth If you reuse the cloth be sure to wash and dry it thoroughly It is important to dry the cloth in sunlight to kill any bacteria Sanitary pads Use sanitary napkins regularly and change them at least four or five times a day Always wash your hands before and after handling a sanitary napkin Make sure you dispose of the napkin in a trash container If you are using a reusable sanitary pad be sure to wash and dry the pad thoroughly in sunlight BSR HERproject Your Body and Menstruation Health Manual 8 Reproductive Tract Infections Reproductive tract infections RT are infections of the genital tract that affect both women and men In women overgrowth of endogenous microorganisms normally found in the vagina may cause RTIs Most of the serious health problems caused RTIs are preventable Fallopian tube SR q i Uterus A ie Worm Ovaries HT Pelvic Inflammatory Disease Pelvic inflammatory disease PID refers to infection of the uterus womb Fallopian tubes tubes that carry eggs from the ovaries to the uterus and other reproductive organs that causes symptoms such as lower abdominal pain PID can also occur if a person has certain STDs especially chlamydia and gonorrhea PID can damage the Fallopian tubes and tissues in and near the uterus and ovaries lt can have serious consequences including infertility ectopic pregnancy a pregnancy in the Fallopian tube or elsewhere outside of the w
8. h bowel movement Stay hydrated by drinking water Do not follow anal intercourse with vaginal intercourse If necessary use a water soluble lubricant during intercourse Wear clean cotton underwear Avoid feminine hygiene sprays Build up resistance to infection by eating healthy foods and getting plenty of rest Yeast Infection A vaginal yeast infection is irritation of the vagina and the area around it called the vulva Yeast infections are caused by overgrowth of the fungus Candida albicans Small amounts of yeast are always in the vagina but when too much yeast grows infection becomes possible Yeast infections are very common About 75 percent of women have one during their lives and almost half of women have two or more vaginal yeast infections There are a number of factors that raise the risk of developing a yeast infection such as Stress Lack of sleep Illness Poor eating habits including eating extreme amounts of sugary foods Pregnancy Menstruation Diseases such as poorly controlled diabetes and HIV AIDS 1 National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Clearinghouse hitp kidney niddk nih gov Yeast Infection The National Women s Health Information Center US Department of Health and Human Services http womenshealth gov publications our publications fact sheet sexually transmitted infections cfm BSR HERproject Your Body and Menstruation Health Manual 11 SYM
9. hly bleeding to remove the egg from her body This is the beginning of a new cycle MONTHLY BLEEDING AND FERTILITY A woman is usually not fertile does not get pregnant on the first 7 days of her cycle and the last 10 to 14 days A woman has a good chance of becoming pregnant if she has sex on the fertile days in the middle of her cycle days 8 to 19 of her cycle BSR HERproject Your Body and Menstruation Health Manual MONTHLY BLEEDING AFTER PREGNANCY When you are pregnant your monthly bleeding stops because you have a fertilized egg growing in your uterus Your body no longer needs to produce eggs to be fertilized or remove them by bleeding After you give birth your monthly bleeding will not start right away During that time you are not fertile and are unlikely to become pregnant especially if you are breast feeding and giving your baby no other liquid or food Premenstrual Pain and Pain with Monthly Bleeding PREMENSTRUAL SYNDROME Some women and girls feel uncomfortable a few days before their monthly bleeding begins They may have one or more of a group of signs that are known as premenstrual syndrome PMS Symptoms vary in type and severity from woman to woman They may include any of the following Acne Trouble sleeping Swollen or tender breasts Constipation Trouble with concentration or Joint or muscle pain memory Change in appetite Headache or backache Feeling tired Diarrhea U
10. hot water bottle Doing your daily work as normal Taking a mild pain medicine if needed Severe Pain during Menstruation Dysmenorrhea also known as painful menstruation is one of the most common health care problems in women during their reproductive years Although some pain during menstruation is normal excessive pain is not Approximately 30 to 50 percent of all women suffer from painful menstruation There are a number of ways that a woman can reduce her pain during menstruation Apply a warm cloth to your lower belly area just below the belly button Lightly massage your lower belly area in a circular motion Eat light but frequent meals Follow a diet rich in complex carbohydrates such as whole grains fruits and vegetables but low in salt sugar alcohol and caffeine Keep your legs raised while lying down or lie on your side with your knees bent Try vitamin B6 calcium and magnesium supplements especially if your pain is from PMS Take warm showers or baths Walk or exercise regularly including pelvic rocking exercises In some situations self care is not sufficient to reduce the pain In this case it is important to talk to a doctor to take medications A doctor may prescribe birth control pills anti inflammatory medicines or pain relievers Irregularity during Menstruation sometimes the ovary does not release an egg When this happens the body ma
11. kes less progesterone which can cause changes in how often and how much a woman bleeds Girls whose monthly bleeding has just begun or women who have recently stopped breast feeding may only bleed every few months or have very little bleeding or too much bleeding Their cycles usually become more regular with time Dysmenorrhoea Health 24 www health24 com medical Head2Toe 777 778 783 11943 asp BSR HERproject Your Body and Menstruation Health Manual Feminine Hygiene during Menstruation Staying clean and protecting your body from infection is very important during menstruation There are a number of things that a woman should do during menstruation During menstruation it is important to wash the body including the genital area daily with warm clean water and mild soap Always pat the area dry after cleaning it To absorb the monthly bleeding a woman might use a piece of cloth or a sanitary pad These two options are discussed below A piece of cloth It can be very dangerous to use scraps of cloth such as factory waste that are not clean to absorb menstrual blood Cloth carries bacteria that may cause an infection Also sometimes cloth is treated with chemicals that can irritate your skin and cause a rash If you use cloth for bleeding it is important to make sure the cloth has been washed before you use it and to change the cloth at least four or five times a day Always wash your hands before and after handlin
12. of having a baby This is called our menstrual cycle The menstrual cycle is controlled by chemicals called hormones produced by a woman s body The entire cycle lasts from the beginning of one period monthly bleeding to the day before your next period bleeding starts Most women bleed every 28 days but some bleed as often as every 20 days or as seldom as every 45 days The cycle is different for each woman PHASE 1 The first day of your monthly bleeding is the first day of a new cycle Your monthly bleeding will normally last around five days but can be as short as two days or as long as seven After menstruation a woman s uterus begins to get ready for pregnancy in case a sperm fertilizes the egg About the same time her hormones start preparing an egg to be released from the ovary PHASE 2 At about the middle of the cycle ovulation occurs an egg is released from the ovary Over the next few days the egg will travel down the Fallopian tube If the egg is fertilized it will attach to the lining of the uterus where it slowly develops into a baby It is during this second phase of a woman s cycle usually days 8 through 19 when a woman is most likely to become pregnant During this time of fertility a man s sperm can fertilize the woman s egg f they have sex without condoms or other contraceptive methods PHASE 3 When a woman s egg is not fertilized by a man s sperm she does not get pregnant and will have her mont
13. omb abscess formation and chronic pelvic pain Sexually active women in their childbearing years are most at risk of suffering from PID Women younger than 25 are more likely to develop PID than those older than 25 partly because the cervix of teenage girls and young women is not fully matured increasing their susceptibility to the STDs that are linked to PID The more sex partners a woman has the greater her risk of developing PID Also a woman whose partner has more than one sex partner is at greater risk of developing PID SYMPTOMS Symptoms of PID vary from mild to severe When PID is caused by chlamydial infection a woman may be more likely to experience only mild symptoms even when serious damage is being done to her reproductive organs Chlamydia can also cause Fallopian tube infection without any symptoms Because of its vague symptoms PID often goes unrecognized by women and their health care providers Some common symptoms include Lower abdominal pain Fever Unusual vaginal discharge that may have a foul odor Painful intercourse Reproductive Tract Infections An introductory Overview Population Council http www popcouncil org pafs RTIFacsheetsRev paf 8 Pelvic Inflammatory Disease CDC www cdc gov std pid stdfact pid htm BSR HERproject Your Body and Menstruation Health Manual Painful urination Irregular menstrual bleeding Pain in the upper right abdomen rare TREATMENT AND
14. pset Stomach Bloating Many women have at least one of these signs each month and some women may have all of them A woman may have different signs from one month to the next For many women the days before their monthly bleeding starts are a time of unrest But some women say they feel more creative and better able to get things done A woman can do a number of things to help reduce her PMS symptoms Every woman s body is different and so each woman must find what helps her most PAIN WITH MONTHLY BLEEDING During monthly bleeding the womb squeezes in order to push out the lining The Squeezing can cause pain in the lower belly or lower back sometimes called cramps The pain may begin before bleeding starts or just after it starts METHODS FOR REDUCING PAIN Common ways of reducing the pain and discomfort experienced before and during your monthly bleeding are the following Bloating may be relieved by Eating less salt Avoiding caffeine Drinking clear fluids such as water Pain from cramps and tiredness may be reduced by Eating whole grains peanuts fresh fish meat and milk or other foods that are high in protein BSR HERproject Your Body and Menstruation Health Manual 6 Exercising such as walking to help reduce cramping Rubbing your lower belly to help tight cramping muscles relax Drinking tea made from raspberry leaves ginger or chamomile Using a hot compress or
15. varies when to release an egg one egg every month So hormones determine when a woman can get pregnant Many family planning methods work to prevent pregnancy by controlling the hormones in a woman s body Hormones also Ibid BSR HERproject Your Body and Menstruation Health Manual 3 cause changes during pregnancy and breast feeding For example hormones keep a pregnant woman from having her monthly bleeding and after childbirth they also tell the breasts to make milk When a woman is near the end of her reproductive years her body slowly stops producing estrogen and progesterone Her ovaries stop releasing eggs her body stops preparing for a pregnancy and her monthly bleeding stops forever This change is called menopause The amount and kind of hormones produced by a woman s body can also affect her moods sexual feelings weight body temperature hunger and bone strength Ibid BSR HERproject Your Body and Menstruation Health Manual Menstruation About once each month during her reproductive years a woman has a few days when a bloody fluid leaves her womb and passes through her vagina and out of her body This is called monthly bleeding a monthly period or menstruation This monthly bleeding happens when a woman is not pregnant Our menstruation cycle is what prepares our bodies for pregnancy The Steps of a Woman s Monthly Cycle Every month a woman s body prepares for the possibility
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