I’ve heard really weird things about menstruation in my day but when I asked the ladies on BodyTalk to ask me questions about menstruation, I got quite a handful. So I tried to answer them as best as I could.
Is menstrual blood is waste blood?
There is no such thing as ‘waste’ blood.
Can menstruation cause anemia?
Menstruation can definitely cause anemia, especially in women with heavy, irregular bleeding. In a normal cycle, the body doesn’t lose that much blood to be a problem.
What causes menstrual cramps?
During your menstrual period, your uterus contracts to help expel its lining. Hormone-like substances (prostaglandins) involved in pain and inflammation trigger the uterine muscle contractions. Higher levels of prostaglandins are associated with more severe menstrual cramps.
What are these little particles ??
I have clots sometimes and when I touch it, it feels like its just blood but I see little soft particles and it scares the hell out of me.
One very spooked lady
The soft patches are the residues of the endometrium (supposed baby’s bed) that broke down due to no fertilization.
The “particles” you see are normal. The fluid that you see during menstruation is simply a mixture of blood, tissue and dead blood vessels on the upper surface of the uterus. Have you ever experienced the surface of your palms peeling off after putting them in water for long?
Well, that’s what happens with the uterus, the upper surface peels off along side the blood vessels beneath, that is why the fluid or “menses” is so thick. So don’t be scared when you see bundles or particles in it, it is normal.
PS: the body immediately replaces the surface and vessels peeled off!
Can NSAIDS lead to barrenness? especially ibuprofen
Ok. This is going to shock some of you. Painkillers can cause reversible infertility by inhibiting ovulation. Note that this far different from barrenness so let’s not get it twisted.
Remember those very prostaglandins I mentioned as been responsible for menstrual pain? They also have a lot to do in ovulation. So blocking them can cause ovulation problems.
Now this is mostly the case of long term regular use. So while you may want to reduce ibuprofen intake, no need to panic.
Do guys have something similar to periods?
I have always wished guys had something similar to menses….why only female??
Local lady is asking God why
Well, I’m not Bruce Almighty or some other superior to right this grave injustice you so kindly pointed out. As a simple human, will the answer ‘Wet Dreams’ pacify you?
Why do some cultures consider menstruating women unclean?
Beats me dear, really beats me.
Can you/Should you have sex on your period
Can you? Yes.
Should you? It’s all up to you.
Period sex is now the new craze. There is no biological reason why not, if you don’t mind the mess that is. Some women seem to be more turned on during their periods.
There are a few risks associated with having sex while you or your partner are on their period. HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) may be passed on more easily, so you should always use a condom.
Who should know of my calendar ??
All stakeholders in the prime real estate of your vagina. No I’m just playing. No, really.
If someone is HIV positive, does their menstrual blood contain the Virus??
Menstrual blood is blood. Period. That should explain everything.
So be careful how you dispose of your pads and other periodarticles if you have HIV or Hepatitis B in order to protect those around you.
does Drinking warm water or massaging your tummy with warm water help with flow?
Remember that when you are menstruating, your blood comes out as thick patches (clots)…we equally know that heat “dissolves” clots so putting a hot water bottle on your lower tummy or drinking some helps. As well as releasing your muscles.
Does childbirth reduce menstrual cramps?
With some ladies menstrual cramps diminish or goes away after childbirth.
One of the causes of the cramps are some oversensitive nerves around the pelvis, that might get crushed and rendered insensitive during pregnancy or childbirth…hence the cramps are gone.
can menstruation cause mood changes?
There are a lot of hormones secreted in greater quantity than usual from ovulation up to menstruation/pregnancy. All these could trigger to varying extents in different people, different moods. Plus d made fact that it is uncomfortable and painful sets you on d ‘defensive’
So all these coupled with your mental perception that this is “bad timing” may cause these moods
Can the mood swings be controlled during menstruation?
The mood swings can be controlled if they are so severe that they affect a woman’s daily life. Antidepressants are used or contraceptives to stop menstruation completely.
At end of my period, there’s this dark-clear liquid that always comes out. what could that be?
Just plain old tired plasma and dead cells trying to make their way out.
So, I hope I answered a few of your questions. Need more answers? Contact us! And her are more broken myths.
WoW thanks i have learned a lot
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Glad I could help Ashley!
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Doubts cleared… Very thrilling
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Thanks, Faith!
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