Normal Menstruation

For most women, there is no avoiding the menstrual cycle. From your first period, it becomes a regular part of life, which is why it's important to understand what's happening with your body.
a woman with birth control pills
Estrogen and What It Does to Your Body
Medically reviewed by Anita Sadaty, MD
Woman in bathing suit wading in crystal clear tropical water
How to Skip Your Period Using Hormonal Contraceptives
Medically reviewed by Anita Sadaty, MD
woman swimming in the pool
7 Period (Menstruation) Facts
Medically reviewed by Anita Sadaty, MD
Cyclical Breast Pain and Menstrual Cycle
Cyclical and Noncyclical Breast Pain: Causes and Differences
Medically reviewed by Anita Sadaty, MD
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What Is Puberty for Girls and How Does It Start?
Medically reviewed by Jessica Shepherd, MD
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Your Hypothalamus and Your Menstrual Cycle
Medically reviewed by Lindsey Waldman, MD, RD
ovaries
Diabetes and Your Period: 5 Things Women Need to Know
Medically reviewed by Anita Sadaty, MD
Uterus and ovaries model
Body Changes During the Menstrual Cycle
Medically reviewed by Anita Sadaty, MD
Woman with hot water bottle on her stomach
How Your Period and the Menstrual Cycle Works
Medically reviewed by Brian Levine, MD
Woman holding tampon
Tampon Questions and Tips for New Users
Medically reviewed by Brian Levine, MD
Pile of tampons
Are There Toxic Chemicals in Your Tampons?
Medically reviewed by Jessica Shepherd, MD
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How to Use Tampons
Medically reviewed by Brian Levine, MD
Women's white daytime hygiene pads on a dark marble background. Hygiene.
How Many Days Should You Bleed During Your Period?
Medically reviewed by Monique Rainford, MD
Menstrual Blood
Period Blood Color: What It Says About Your Health
Medically reviewed by Brian Levine, MD
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Tips for Having Sex During Your Period
Medically reviewed by Anita Sadaty, MD
Tampon and Calendar
How Often Do Girls Get Their Period?
Medically reviewed by Jessica Shepherd, MD
Tampon and Calendar and feminine products
Hormones and Your Menstrual Cycle
Medically reviewed by Jessica Shepherd, MD
Woman's legs in the bathtub
How to Keep Yourself Clean During Your Period
Medically reviewed by Anita Sadaty, MD
Birth control pills
Hormonal Contraceptives Can Help Manage Problem Periods
Medically reviewed by Anita Sadaty, MD
Nurse holding a menstrual cup
Managing Your Menstrual Flow
Medically reviewed by Anita Sadaty, MD
Tampons of various sizes in a row
Choosing the Best Tampons, Pads, and Menstrual Cups
Medically reviewed by Anita Sadaty, MD
Midsection Of Woman Against White Background
Overview of the Female Hormone Progesterone
Medically reviewed by Brian Levine, MD
The human uterus, showing the boundary between the endometrial glands and the smooth muscle. (Magnification x100)
The Endometrium: Conditions and Its Role in Pregnancy
Medically reviewed by Anita Sadaty, MD
Woman on toilet
History Behind the Slang Term 'On the Rag'
Fact checked by Dale Brauner
Doctor holding injection
Gonadotropin Releasing Hormones Agonists Overview
Medically reviewed by Anita Sadaty, MD
Woman holding tampon
How to Remove a Stuck Tampon
Medically reviewed by Monique Rainford, MD
High angle view of a young woman showing a candle
How Often You Should Change Tampons or Pads
Medically reviewed by Jessica Shepherd, MD
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Can You Go Swimming While on Your Period?
Medically reviewed by Anita Sadaty, MD
Rocket pear and walnut salad
Healthy Diets and Your Menstrual Cycle
Medically reviewed by Brian Levine, MD
Stretching to the max
6 Yoga Poses for Your Period to Help Relieve Cramps
Medically reviewed by Arno Kroner, DAOM, LAc
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5 Common Questions About a Girl's First Periods
Medically reviewed by Anita Sadaty, MD
a young woman holding a hot water bottle while curled up on a couch
What Teen Girls Should Know About Having Periods
Medically reviewed by Anita Sadaty, MD
Teenage girl sitting on bed, embracing pillow
What Are the Symptoms of Being on Your Period?
Medically reviewed by Anita Sadaty, MD
two teenage girls whispering
What to Expect When You Get Your First Period
Medically reviewed by Anita Sadaty, MD
Woman circling day on wall calendar, close-up
How Do You Keep Track of Your Menstrual Cycle?
Medically reviewed by Brian Levine, MD
Tampons
What Tampon Absorbency Ratings Mean
Medically reviewed by Brian Levine, MD
Woman holding menstrual cup
The 8 Best Menstrual Cups of 2021
Fact checked by Ashley Hall
calendar with period start date marked
Factors That Can Affect Your Menstrual Cycle
Medically reviewed by Anita Sadaty, MD
Woman using a hot-water bottle on her belly to relieve abdominal pain.
How a Big Change in Your Weight May Affect Your Period
Medically reviewed by Anita Sadaty, MD
woman curled up in pain on a bed
Common Period Problems During Your Reproductive Years
Medically reviewed by Jessica Shepherd, MD
Photo of three different sized wrapped menstrual pads
An Overview of Menstruation
Medically reviewed by Jessica Shepherd, MD