What I know about the female reproductive health is what was taught in secondary school (JSS 3). From then until now, I thought what I knew was just fine until the severe symptoms of PMDD began to surface and provoke many questions. I wrote a post about what I experience with PMDD and how much it can cripple me. What I am grateful for now is how much questions seem to give way to more questions.
Photo by cottonbro studio
Up until now, I thought I really understood how menstruation works and what it meant. Turns out, I knew nothing at all. The bottom line is revisiting what I know made me look at it differently since I was experiencing it myself. Symptoms did not make sense. I still did not understand why bleeding hurt so much or why it came with such emotional hassle. Why do I get diarrhea and nausea during ovulation? What causes the headaches? Why do my bones ache? In addition, what is this meat like thing I see at the end of every period?
I had my questions on infertility. Since I have regular periods, does this mean I will have no issues conceiving? Does this mean those women who cannot conceive now experienced irregular or no menstrual flow? Did they fail to notice and seek help? Can I tell if I am in good reproductive health before it is too late? So many questions.
This is in no way medical advice. This is purely for informational purposes written by a young girl curious about how her uterus works and what it actually means to have a menstrual cycle. Many things interesting about the topic that I would not finish if I let myself delve deeply into it. Therefore, for now, I will be focusing on these key things:
We all know that a woman possesses two ovaries. These ovaries hold the eggs that make babies thanks to the sperm paying it a conjugal visit. Every menstrual cycle, our hormones (consisting of estrogen and progesterone) get our ovaries to release an egg into the uterus. The uterus lining gets thick and filled with nutrients to help pregnancy happen thanks to these hormones as well. Menstruation happens when the egg is not fertilized. When this does not happen, the lining around the uterus breaks down to what it originally was which is blood. We wake up and oops! We are bleeding…
This question has rung in my mind especially when I am writhing in pain from the cramps. I ask within me, “is this really necessary? Why do I have to go through this? Does this help me in anyway?” The fact is I may not be questioning menstruation itself but the pain it comes with. However, I still went on to look for and read answers. Menstruation is the process that must happen to prepare a woman for birth. The whole cycle and all four phases must happen. Not only for that.
In an article posted on the Women’s Health network, and reviewed by Dr. Sarika Arora, MD, the health benefits of having a regular period was highlighted. The focus on knowing your own body and taking advantage of your knowledge to get the most out of your cycle. That will be my focus here as I have the most bizarre moods when I begin ovulating. From high to low real quick.
Because I have a regular flow and cycle, does this mean I will not have any issues with making babies? In addition, if that is what it means, does it mean women with infertility issues had the signs and chose to ignore it? I soon found out that it was not the case thanks to Malcom Gladwell. In his riveting book, What the Dog Saw, I came across the adventurous tale of the young scientist Beverly Strassman.
In her research on the extent of the female biology, Beverly lived with the Dogon tribe of Mali in 1986. The details that followed next I found to be fascinating. The one detail that stood out is the answer to the question I had then. From Beverly’s observation of the Dogon tribe’s women, it was a fact that menstruating does not guarantee your pregnancy. Case studies on the young women who saw their periods just once and were able to conceive versus the women who have seen theirs for decades with no signs of conception.
It is so amazing how much one question can actually save your life or give you the key to saving your life. Do not get me wrong; what I am spilling is just as I said questions from a curious girl in her early twenties. Now, picture me reading about how the lining surrounding the uterus shed monthly because I did not get my eggs fertilized and then I read on to find out that hormones that actually help in facilitating my cycle also increase my risk for endometrial cancer, as I get older. Endometrial (uterine) cancer is cancer that forms on the lining of the uterus.
Reading forward and pulling up google, I find that a lot of things and changes in the body risks this cancer. This raised one more question when I thought about the meat like thing (to my male audience, apologies if you find this uncomfortable) that seems to flow out of me at the end of my period. First and second day of my period is a heavy flow with mind numbing pain. Third and fourth day, not so much. But then the fifth day? Oh heavens above! I feel as if I am being torn apart inside and then voila! Something like meat greets me.
I always wondered what that could be but I never took the time to look into it. However, I did and found it is called Desidual Cast. This is when that lining that sheds and turns to blood rips in a very large piece. It is a rare case according to Cleveland Clinic. Well, I have been experiencing it since I was thirteen. This ripping is also another factor that may contribute to uterine cancer. Should I be concerned?
I would have headaches that would persist for days. The reason was quite simple when I searched. A drop in hormone levels. My estrogen and progesterone levels may have dropped or just my body telling me I am under a lot of stress.
As I mentioned earlier, I have many questions and from time to time when I am not lazy and sitting on my arse, I actually go look for answers. This has only increased my awareness when it comes to my reproductive health. Moreover, I see what Dr. Sarika was pointing out regarding the benefits of actually knowing why your body does things. With what I know now, I will be more intentional in looking for changes both good and bad. I believe as a woman, I should be able to read my own body because only I can properly look after it.
Women’s Health Network – Health benefits of regular menstrual periods
Cleveland Clinic – Desidual Cast
Mayo Clinic – Endometrial cancer
