What are menstruations?

You may have heard the expressions “seeing your period”, “being indisposed”, “having your period or time of the month”, “guiss mbakh”, “dem Casamance”… So what is menstruation?

A normal female phenomenon

Menstruation is blood that flows from the vagina for a few days each month.

Your mother, your sister, your cousins and almost all the women in your life have their period every month. It’s only when a woman gets pregnant or becomes elderly that her period stops.

Contrary to what some people think, menstruation is normal and a sign of good health. You can be proud of having your period: it shows that your body functions like a woman’s.

What happens in your body when you have your period?

If you have your period, it’s because you’ve entered a new phase in your life: the menstrual cycle (link to article on the menstrual cycle)! Many things change in your body and in your mind from this moment onwards.

Inside your lower abdomen, the uterus starts to function and to produce a small egg, and the endometrium (lining of the uterus) every month. When there is no pregnancy, your body eliminates the egg and the endometrium, which are no longer useful. It looks like blood and flows out of the vagina.

It’s like a tree: leaves grow, then fall to the ground, some time later other leaves grow back, then fall again with the seasons.

In general, this bleeding lasts between 3 to 7 days. This is called menstruation, and it’s the very first phase of your menstrual cycle (which has 4 phases).

During this time of the month :

you may feel more tired and have mood swings ;
you may feel pain in your stomach, back, breasts or head;
if the pains are too severe, go and see a doctor. Otherwise, get some rest, eat less milk and meat, and avoid coffee and sugary drinks.
You may also smell unusual odours: this is normal! To limit this, simply change your menstrual pad every 3 or 4 hours and maintain good hygiene.

Please note: you should never wash the inside of your vagina. Simply use water and mild soap to clean the outside of your private parts. No need for perfumes or special products! If the smell is too strong and seems abnormal, you can consult a midwife or gynaecologist to check that you don’t have an infection.

To feel comfortable during your period:

pack a day’s supply of at least 3 menstrual pads, pants, a small bottle of water and tissues;
choose protections that make you feel comfortable and safe;
Make sure you wear clothes you feel comfortable in, and avoid white;
use a larger menstrual pad at night;
Don’t plan too many activities.
And what about your mind?

Your period can also change your mood or your desires. During this time of the month, you may feel like being on your own for a while. This is perfectly normal. It’s probably what your body needs.

During their period, women often feel more sensitive, more inspired and more creative. You can use this time to take care of yourself, reflect, rest, meditate, pray or make plans.

Listen to your body and do what you really want to do!