The pattern of a female menstrual cycle changes with her body and age. It is quite interesting to learn about these alterations that take a turn almost every decade. Let us have a quick scan through how our body and periods correspond with age.
Commencing of Periods in Your Teens
Most girls get their first period (menarche) between the age group of 11 and 15. This could be a confusing phase for young girls. This is when they attain puberty involving a lot of bodily changes.
The reproductive system of a girl and periods starts to get activated during this stage. And the sex hormones play tricks with her body and mind. Most commonly, periods would be irregular in the initial stage. Commencing with spotting and mild periods, the onset of menarche is marked in your teens. It is considered to be the first step to womanhood.
Challenges!
- Early or late menarche
- Irregularity of periods tends to cause anxiety
- Being conscious about body changes
- Abrupt weight gain
Tip: Talk to your mother, friend or a doctor and get a clear picture of what is happening to your body.
Coming to Terms with Periods in 20s
Periods get regular with a cycle extending from 28 to 35 days. Your reproductive system is working full on and the chances of getting pregnant are high during this stage.
Your hormones are fully functional and start the procedure of going up and down to stimulate ovulation. A large number of women are susceptible to PMS (Premenstrual Syndrome) in this window of time.
Challenges!
- Period cramps and absenteeism from class or work
- Heightened PMS and disruption of routine activities
- Irregular periods
- Undesired pregnancy
Tip: Be conscious of your health as this stage is going to be crucial for your future as well.
Lingering Uncertainty in the 30s
Women are exposed to sudden hormonal changes. Your reproductive system slowly starts to disengage. Once in a while you will experience a change in your cycle, sometimes it becomes short and sometimes long.
Your PMS and period cramps also tend to die down in this time span. And usually after childbirth period pain sinks considerably.
Challenges!
- Heavy bleeding or irregular periods
- Aggravated PMS
- Severe menstrual cramps
- Infertility
- Prone to suffer from disorders of the reproductive system
Tip: Having a good lifestyle helps in avoiding most of the challenges pertaining to periods in your 30s.
40s – The Penultimate Phase to Menopause
Perimenopause gives you a slightly distressing time. This phase will have abnormal menstrual cycle.
By this period you are left with fewer eggs to be released. The capability to conceive becomes minimal and periods occur even more infrequently. There is a difference in the levels of estrogen and progesterone production altering from one day to the other.
Spotting reappears after more than two decades, but this time indicating the end of the cycle.
Challenges!
- Critical symptoms like hot flashes, mood swings and loss of temper
- Abdominal pain
- Heavy bleeding
- Digestive disorders
- Watch out for menstrual disorders that are quite common in this period
Tip: Keep yourself stress-free and start all the prevention methods to divert menstrual cycle problems and problems associated with menopause.
End of The Cycle in your 50s
Finally, your reproductive system gives up on your periods. This phase will have very irregular menstrual cycle and with time completely stops.
You need to be very cautious about your body and health. Female hormones, estrogen and progesterone drop drastically leading to many changes in the body and the cycle. Fortunately or unfortunately some women have their cycle extending even to their 60s.
Challenges!
- Prone to diabetes
- Prone to osteoporosis
- Prone to breast, ovarian and bowel cancer
- Prone to put on weight
- Inactive lifestyle
Tip: Do not miss out on your regular checkups. Look upon the genetic probability of suffering from these conditions by talking to your mother and other women in your family. Every woman has a unique cycle shaped on the nuances of her body. Know your cycle and then you will be aware of all the threat and dangers allied with it. Your body will always remain wonderful, be it from the onset of menarche or even after menopause, only if you care to love it.
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