Menstrual cycle, reproductive health and personal hygiene
The menstrual cycle is a monthly cycle of about 28 days that prepares the uterus for pregnancy. Good menstrual hygiene and healthy habits protect reproductive health.
Phases of the menstrual cycle
- back to Menstrual phase (days 1 to 5)
What happens in each phase
| Phase | Days | In the ovary | In the uterus lining |
|---|---|---|---|
| Menstrual | 1 to 5 | The corpus luteum of the last cycle has broken down | The endometrium breaks down and leaves with blood as the menstrual flow |
| Follicular (proliferative) | 6 to 13 | FSH makes a follicle grow into a Graafian follicle, which makes estrogen | The lining grows again and thickens |
| Ovulatory | 14 | A surge of LH makes the Graafian follicle burst and release the ovum (ovulation) | The lining stays thick |
| Luteal (secretory) | 15 to 28 | The empty follicle becomes the corpus luteum, which makes progesterone | The lining becomes thick, soft and rich in blood, ready for an embryo |
Menarche, menopause and normal changes
Menarche is the first menstruation, at puberty. Menopause is when the cycles stop, around 48 to 50 years. If the ovum is fertilised, the corpus luteum stays and there is no menstruation during pregnancy. Cycles are not always exactly 28 days; a few days shorter or longer is normal, especially in the first years. Menstruation is a normal body process. It is not an illness and nothing to be ashamed of.
Reproductive health and personal hygiene
- Reproductive health means being well in body, mind and social life in all matters of reproduction.
- Change sanitary pads regularly, every few hours, and sooner if the flow is heavy.
- Wrap used pads in paper and put them in a closed bin or an incinerator. Never flush them.
- Wash the genital area daily with clean water, and wear clean, dry cotton innerwear. This applies to boys and girls.
- Eat iron-rich food like greens, ragi, dates, jaggery and pulses to make up for blood lost and prevent anaemia.
- Talk to a parent, teacher or doctor about severe pain, very heavy bleeding or missed periods. Do not believe myths.
- Avoid early marriage and teenage pregnancy, which harm the health of both mother and baby.
- Family planning means a couple deciding freely when to have children and how many. Methods include condoms, pills, devices such as the Copper-T, and permanent operations (vasectomy in men, tubectomy in women).
- Urinary tract infection (UTI): germs enter the urethra and can spread to the bladder or kidneys. It is more common in women, so toilet hygiene and drinking enough water help prevent it.
- Some infections spread through sexual contact or shared needles. Get the facts from a doctor or health worker.
Many schools give weekly iron and folic acid tablets to adolescents to prevent anaemia; ragi, greens and dates add iron too. Menstruation is normal, so girls can study, play and attend school as usual.
2 marks: “What is menarche? What is menopause?” Menarche: the first menstruation at puberty. Menopause: the stopping of menstrual cycles, around 48 to 50 years.
2 marks: “Mention any two personal hygiene practices during menstruation.” Change pads regularly; dispose of them wrapped, in a closed bin; wash daily and wear clean cotton innerwear (any two).
4 marks: “Describe the phases of the menstrual cycle.” Menstrual (days 1 to 5, lining shed); follicular (6 to 13, FSH, Graafian follicle, estrogen); ovulatory (14, LH, ovum released); luteal (15 to 28, corpus luteum, progesterone).
Menstrual, Follicular, Ovulatory, Luteal: 'My Friend Often Laughs'. Day 14 is the middle, the egg's day out.