What is a period?

A period is a sign of a woman's fertility. Periods occur when your female hormones are active and your body wants to get rid of unwanted tissues and blood.

When do periods start?

Periods usually start between the ages of 9 - 15 years. Most women have a menstrual cycle once every 28 days. Initially, it can vary from 3 weeks to 6 weeks before the next one begins. It could also be as short as 21 days or as long as 40 days.

What does a period feel like?

A period is a natural process of your uterus shedding its lining. It does so by contracting itself. You may therefore experience cramps accompanied by a flow of blood through your vagina. Periods don't hurt but they may be accompanied by symptoms like dizziness, cramping and backache due to the hormones released by the body.

What is that odour?

When menstrual blood gets trapped in a sanitary pad for a long time, it leads to bad odour. You may experience bad odour even when menstrual blood comes in contact with air. You can avoid menstrual odour by changing your pads frequently and maintaining personal hygiene.

When do periods stop?

You will stop having periods when the hormones responsible for menstruation stop functioning. This phase is called menopause, which marks the end of the reproductive cycle and usually occurs after a woman reaches her forties. Menopause can vary from person to person.