20 interesting facts about your period & menstrual cycle that you probably didn’t know

You might think you already know everything about your period; however, do you know the unique and interesting facts about your menstrual cycle?

Most women expect to get their period once a month, but did you know that this isn’t always the case? There are many reasons for a late period, an earlier period or getting your period more frequently than usual.

This guide will tell you everything you need to know about your period…

Facts about blood loss during your menstrual cycle

1. You don’t lose as much blood as you think!

During your period, you will lose between 20ml to 90ml of blood, which is around 1 to 5 tablespoons. Some women have heavier or lighter periods, causing them to lose more or less blood than on average.

You might think you are losing a lot of blood. However, your menstrual fluid also contains a mixture of mucus and uterine tissues. The different components in the fluid can add more volume to your overall fluid loss, making you believe you’re losing more blood than you are.

1. Menstrual cups can be worn for significantly longer than pads or tampons

Tampons and pads should be changed every 4-6 hours, whereas a menstrual cup can be worn for up to 12 hours. Heavy periods require you to change your cup more frequently.

Not only can you wear a cup for longer than tampons and pads, but they are also sustainable and will last for years when looked after correctly.

1. Extreme heavy periods could mean you have a hormone imbalance

If your bleeding is so heavy that you’re soaking through 1 or more sanitary pads or tampons every hour, this is a sign of heavy menstrual bleeding.

Your hormone levels could be to blame for your heavy period. When your hormones are out of balance, the lining of the uterus becomes too thick and sheds as a heavy period.

Several health conditions can lead to a hormone imbalance, such as thyroid problems, obesity, insulin resistance and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

1. Your body weight can affect how heavy your period is

Your weight affects your hormone levels, which can also affect how heavy or light your period is.

Being overweight or having too much fat can lead to missed periods or heavy periods. In contrast, if you’re underweight with too little fat, you might miss your period altogether or have incredibly light periods. Your weight plays a huge role in your period and cycle.

Does losing weight affect your period?

Sudden weight loss can cause your periods to stop. If you have lost weight from a restrictive diet and over-exercising, then you might lose your period.

When you lose weight, your body interprets this loss as stress, which causes it to reserve energy. It stops your period and reduces your hormone production, enabling you to use energy for more critical functions such as digestion and breathing.

Numbers and stats about periods

1. On average, you will spend 10 years on your period

Although the average woman only gets their period once a month, that can equate to spending around 10 years of your life on your period.

So, on average, most women will have 3,500 menstrual days, not to mention the amount of money spent on period products in your lifetime.^[1]

1. There are more than 380 proteins in your menstrual blood

A 2012 study discovered that 385 proteins are unique to your menstrual blood. The proteins found in the blood help to regulate its flow. ^[2]

Although period blood is full of proteins, it remains a liquid because it doesn’t contain the proteins haemoglobin, prothrombin, thrombin and fibrinogen.

1. You have up to 400 periods in your lifetime

Between your first cycle and menopause, you can expect to experience 400 periods. Of course, every woman is unique, so the number of periods you can expect to have in your life can differ.

It’s important you understand your period and cycle; after all, you have so many throughout your life!

1. The age at which girls get their periods has changed

Periods have started to arrive earlier for younger generations. Many factors have led to young girls getting their periods early. Obesity is known to cause periods to begin early, as can higher stress levels and environmental factors.

The average age for girls to start their period is usually 12 years old; however, some girls can start their period from the age of 8.

Signs your daughter is about to start her period

As a parent, it’s difficult to know when your daughter is about to start her period for the first time as it might be challenging to spot the signs.

The two significant signs that your daughter's body is getting ready for her first period are breast and pubic hair development.

You might also notice acne, mood swings and a growth spurt right before her first menstrual cycle.

Unusual facts about periods

1. You can still get pregnant when on your period

Although you can get pregnant when you are on your period, it’s very unlikely. The chances of getting pregnant whilst on your period are much lower than before and after your fertile window.

The role of sperm can also play a role in you getting pregnant on your period. Sperm can live inside your body for 3-5 days, which means you can get pregnant if you have sexual intercourse 5 days before ovulation.

1. Your period can affect how your voice sounds

Hormones can also change how your voice sounds, meaning when you’re on your period, the sound of your voice might change.

When you come on your period, your voice might be slightly deeper and more horse. However, after the first week of your menstrual cycle, the rising oestrogen in your body enables your voice to become higher and clearer.

1. Getting your period can worsen asthma symptoms

If female hormones trigger your asthma, chances are you will notice your symptoms get worse when you’re on your period. Research has shown that 1 in 3 women with asthma report that their symptoms are worse before or during their period^[3]

If you struggle with your asthma symptoms when you’re on your period, then you should speak to your healthcare provider for advice. Sometimes, you might be put on contraception to help ease your symptoms.

1. Sleeping with a nightlight can regulate your cycle

Light exposure can affect the production of the sleep hormone melatonin, which helps to control the release of female reproductive hormones that decide when your menstrual cycle starts and ends.

Sleep with a nightlight on to regulate your period and cycle during the last 14 days of your cycle. If you leave a nightlight on at all times, this might have the opposite effect and make your periods irregular.

1. The “period” you get when on hormonal birth control isn’t a real period

When you are taking the contraceptive pill, the bleeding you experience is known as withdrawal bleeding. With the combined pill, this happens during the week-long break from taking the pill. Withdrawal bleeding happens when the hormone levels in your body drop. The drop in hormone levels causes the uterine lining to shed.

The bleeding experienced is usually lighter and different from the period you previously had before starting contraception. Some women might experience extremely light bleeding and, in some cases, no bleeding at all.

Implantation bleeding vs period

Implantation bleeding is usually very light and appears when you are due on your period. It is a small amount of light spotting or bleeding.

The difference between your period and implantation bleeding is that implantation bleeding is never enough to fill a pad or tampon.

You can’t have a period while pregnant, but unfortunately, you might still experience some period-like symptoms, such as cramps during early pregnancy.

1. You’re born with all the eggs you need in a lifetime

Female babies are born with all the egg cells they will ever have. When you’re born, you’re born with between 1 and 2 million eggs. It’s impossible to make new egg cells during your lifetime.

As women age, the amount of eggs they have decreases, in addition to their quality.

1. A missed period doesn’t always mean you’re pregnant

If you miss your period, that doesn’t automatically mean that you’re pregnant. There are several reasons why you might miss your period, including:

• Stress
• Weight loss
• Being overweight
• Over-exercising
• Contraception
• Menopause
• Long-term medical conditions

If you’ve taken a negative pregnancy test and have missed multiple periods, then you should speak to your healthcare provider; they will help you to understand the cause of your missed period.

1. It isn’t unhealthy to skip your period with birth control

Skipping your period whilst you’re using birth control is considered safe, and it’s not known to cause any long-term problems.

Many women think that menstruation is how your body cleans itself or that period blood can build up over time. These are both false. Your body only needs to menstruate to shed the uterine lining; however, hormonal birth control stops the uterine lining from building up in the first place.

When you stop using birth control, you should go back to the regular period you had before you started it. Your period and cycle will return to normal.

1. Period sex is beneficial

Although having sex on your period can be messy, it does provide benefits. Having sex when you are on your period can give you relief from cramps and make your periods shorter.

It’s also more common for women to experience migraines when they are on their period. Studies have shown that sex can partially or entirely relieve migraine attacks.^[4]

Having sex on your period can also improve your sleep, strengthen your immune system and improve your fitness.

1. PMS is still a mystery

Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is the symptoms you can expect in the weeks before you get your period. Each woman’s symptoms can vary each month, but most women will experience PMS at some point in their life.

PMS is diagnosed entirely from the symptoms. What causes PMS is still unknown, although it is thought that ovarian hormones play a role in PMS.

1. Stress or illness can cause irregular cycles

If you are stressed, that can affect your period and cycle in many ways. Stress can affect the hormones that control your menstrual cycle, which can lead to irregular and more painful periods.

Certain illnesses can disrupt your cycle, causing irregular periods. PCOS and an underactive thyroid gland can also be to blame for an irregular cycle.

1. Your period gets worse when it is cold

During the cold weather, your period pain can get worse. The cold weather can increase prostaglandins(a hormone-like substance) when it gets cold. With an increase in prostaglandins, this can worsen your period pain.

Your period pain might also worsen in the winter due to your blood vessels compressing when it gets cold. It can interfere with your blood flow and cause an increase in period pain.

You can also experience longer periods during the winter months. Research has shown that a period can be up to 0.9 days longer in the winter. ^[5]

Most women will know what is expected when it comes to their period and cycle; however, knowing the facts surrounding periods can help you better understand your menstrual cycle.

If you have any worries or concerns about your period, you can speak to a healthcare professional or visit the NHS website.