A period, also known as menstruation, is the regular release of blood and tissue from the inner lining of a girl's or woman's uterus through the vagina. It is a natural part of the menstrual cycle, which prepares the body for a possible pregnancy each month
. Here are the key points about what a period is:
- It involves shedding the thickened lining of the uterus (which contains blood, mucus, and tissue) when pregnancy does not occur
- Periods typically start during puberty, around age 12 on average, but can begin as early as 8 or as late as 16 years old
- The menstrual cycle usually lasts about 28 days, but can range from 21 to 35 days in adults, with bleeding lasting between 2 and 7 days
- The bleeding is heaviest in the first couple of days and can vary in color from bright red to pink or brown
- A period signals that the body is capable of becoming pregnant if sexual intercourse occurs
- The menstrual cycle has four phases: menstruation (the period), follicular phase, ovulation, and luteal phase. Ovulation is when an egg is released, and if it is not fertilized, the lining sheds as the period
In summary, a period is the monthly bleeding that marks the shedding of the uterine lining when pregnancy has not occurred, indicating reproductive maturity and readiness for potential pregnancy
