THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO THE MENSTRUAL CYCLE, NO TABOOS
Every woman is different, every menstrual cycle is different, and as a result, every period is unique. Let’s talk about menstrual cycles and periods without taboos!
🩸 How does the menstrual cycle work?
Periods are regulated by hormones in your brain. They send the different signals that trigger bleeding, period symptoms, but also premenstrual symptoms.
But before we go any further, let’s cover the basics:
- A menstrual cycle lasts about 28 days. That’s just an average—very few women actually have such precise cycles every month! It’s more accurate to say that menstrual cycles usually fall within a 20 to 35 day window.
- This cycle is then divided into three phases: your period, the ovulation phase, and then the phase that prepares for your period, which is often linked to premenstrual symptoms (and even PMS, but we’ll talk more about that below).
- The first day of your cycle is the first day of your period, and therefore the last day is the day before your next period!
- Bleeding typically lasts between 2 and 5 days on average.
🩸 The 4 key points to understanding your menstrual cycle
What’s your menstrual flow like?
Menstrual flow refers to the intensity of your period. Each person’s flow can differ in color, intensity, texture, and more.
When we talk about a “normal” menstrual flow, we’re referring to the flow you have once your menstrual cycle has become regular and stable.
To give you an idea, your menstrual flow averages between 2 to 5 tablespoons of blood per cycle, which is about 30 to 70 mL.
Generally, we’re talking about:
- Light flow: 30 mL/cycle
- Medium flow: 30 to 50 mL/cycle
- Heavy flow: 50 to 70 mL/cycle
- Very heavy, even hemorrhagic flow: over 70 mL
These are the guidelines we use to determine the perfect fit and composition for her period underwear.
It’s completely normal to feel like you’re losing much more blood. That’s why using the menstrual cup is a perfect tool for tracking your menstrual flow and understanding how much blood you lose during a cycle.
It’s usually heaviest during the first two days of your period, with bright red blood. Gradually, the color changes to pink, brown, or even black as the bleeding gets lighter.
Similarly, menstrual flow can be more liquid, with clots, or thicker depending on the woman, but also depending on the time in her cycle.
These changes are completely normal, as many factors can affect your menstrual flow:
- Age,
- Birth control,
- Stress,
- Certain medications…
Hormonal contraceptives tend to reduce the intensity of periods, whereas copper IUDs usually make them heavier and more watery.
So don’t worry: it’s totally normal! :)
MENSTRUAL FLOW GLOSSARY:
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🩸 How does the ovulatory phase work?
After your period ends, your body prepares for the arrival of a potentially fertilized egg that could develop into a fetus. That’s when your endometrium thickens to allow it to attach effectively.
If you want to learn how your body works, you can discover more about your cycle over time and better understand which phase you’re in.
The ovulation phase is marked by two main things:
- The appearance of cervical mucus its texture and intensity change throughout the cycle,
- The rise of basal temperature : the temperature when your body is at rest (so, your temperature before you set foot on the floor in the morning, right after waking up).
🩸 Everything you need to know about PMS
As women, we’re often more irritable, impatient, or even more tired as our next period approaches. This is completely normal. There’s no need to feel guilty about this part of how we function.
Premenstrual syndrome therefore refers to the physical and psychological symptoms that occur in the second half of our menstrual cycle, when our estrogen and progesterone levels fluctuate.
PMS affects only 20 to 50% of women, sometimes those who are more sensitive to hormonal fluctuations or have lower serotonin levels.
Symptoms are varied and diverse:
- irritability,
- panic attacks,
- a depressing mood,
- headaches,
- bloating,
- breast tenderness…
To minimize these symptoms, we recommend cutting back on sugar, salt, and caffeine, and making room for physical activity that will help produce endorphins (the feel-good hormone).
You can also take the time to keep one PMS journal for at least 2 cycles to identify symptoms that occur frequently, or even systematically. The better we know ourselves, the easier it is to read between the lines and recognize when our period is about to start.
🩸 How to ease period pain
Back to periods—it seems important to talk about something we all experience at least once: period pain.
They happen when the uterus contracts to shed the uterine lining. These pains, like cramps, can affect the pelvis, back, stomach, and even the thighs.
The intensity varies from one woman to another, and can even include vomiting.
To relieve period pain, here are a few tips that might just save your next month:
- Exercise, even just walking. It helps boost blood circulation, increases oxygen levels, and releases endorphins to make you feel better.
- Relax your muscles with massages and different heat sources. A good hot bath and a heating pad can be incredibly helpful.
With all this information, you can feel more comfortable with your menstrual cycle. Again, we’re all different, so there’s really no such thing as “normal” when it comes to periods! The main goal is to get to know yourself, let go of guilt, and have fun wearing our beautiful period panties or by choosing our menstrual cup for your workout outings!
