It is a cycle every woman has to go through unfortunately ever month and this until she reaches menaupose.
I was wandering if you really know what is happening during that period and what are the changes occuring in your body?

This thread is dedicated to this cycle, where I hope we can openly share without shyness some commun problems like premenstrual syndroms, irregular periods, heavy bleeding, painful cramps...etc and find hopefully a solution to them.

My 1st question is: how many of you really know (without checking the net ;) ) what is really happening in your body when you are menstruating, and where exactly is the transformation happening?

I found this article from the Brritanica Encyclopedia..

PMS=Variable group of symptoms occurring before menstruation in 40% of women, severe in about 10% of those.

Physical symptoms may include headache, cramps, bloating, and constipation or diarrhea.

Emotional symptoms range from irritability, lethargy, and mood swings to hostility, confusion, and depression. Theories as to the cause center on hormones, nutrition, and stress (known to affect severity).

Depending on the symptoms, treatment may involve exercise, stress management, nutritional therapy, or drugs.

Dietary measures include low sodium and high protein and complex carbohydrate intake and avoidance of xanthines (including caffeine). Increasing calcium intake has recently been shown to prevent or reduce cramps, which are best treated with ibuprofen.

Oooops, sorry X-Press, I didnt notice you said "without checking the net" :)

Another Ooooooooops...sorry, I skipped your first question..

I hope you dont mind :)

Originally posted by X-press
My 1st question is: how many of you really know (without checking the net ;) ) what is really happening in your body when you are menstruating, and where exactly is the transformation happening?

Thanks Bimmi, and should I conclude by the lack of answers here that most ladies do not in fact know what is physically happening within the uterus?

The Only thing I know is hormone changing

Since I studied this in school and extensively in my research on infertility, I think it'd be cheating if I answered :)

Well I can give the answers, but in Arabic :s

What I know is that the Egg leave the “..” don’t know what’s it called, goes into Faloob channel “that’s what we call it in Arabic” and then hits the wombs whole which causes the egg to explode and then you get your period! “I think” :confused: this cycle happens every 28 days.

I have a Question : some people have pain just before they get their period, some say that this pain in reduced after you get married. Is that true?

PMS - is pre menstrual symptoms, the pains u go thru that indicates, ur periods are just by the door.

well what happens, is the uterine lining is thickened, coz the egg was released and was expected to fertilise, but it didnt, so the egg degenerates,
the hormone ( progesterone) which maintain the lining stops being produced, so its level go down, and this causes the lining to break down, and is let out as the period.
other hormones are involved, but its too boring and complicated to actually explain, it took me 2 yrs to really understand them, but the main caause is the drop of progesterone level due to lack of fertilisation of the egg.

i think thats wat happens.

i agree with seniora..it is difficult to understand...well, maybe i'm the one who is thick :p
though i might seem to understand, i would find it difficult to xplain..

Originally posted by Bimzoori
i agree with seniora..it is difficult to understand...

If I am right MoonChild, Seniora is the only one to have understood what is more or less happening. I think it is first really important to have a visual idea of how the uterus looks like. Here it is along the reproductive organs:

<img src="http://menshealth.about.com/library/graphics/female.jpg"width="200"height="300"border="1"target="blanck"></a>

Most European Ice-Schools, like the one I have attended, do teach their students about the woman as well as the male anatomy, plus the reproductive system. And this around the 7th or 8th Grade and as the years pass, the studies are more detailed.

I found out that in Oman, it is not really the case and a lot of school do not teach this topics. Per consequence, most girls have no idea about what is happening inside their body. Is it a fact?

Menstruation is the process by which excess layers of the uterine lining (also called endometrium) are shed.

1) During a cycle of about 28 days in a woman of childbearing age, in preparation for a possible pregnancy, the lining of the uterus (=endometrium) builds up and becomes thicker.

2) About two weeks after the beginning of the last menstrual period, an ovum (or egg) is released from an ovary. (It can be the left or the right one! and some women like me for instance, can even feel from which one it is released, as I experience a slight pain on my side)

3) The ovum (or egg) travels down a fallopian tube to the uterus[/b] over a period of five-seven day.

4) If that ovum (or egg) has not been fertilized by a man's sperm, it will soon be expelled along with the extra built-up lining during menstruation.

The entire process then begins again, unless an ovum is fertilized. In this case, the ovum will lodge in the uterus lining, the woman becomes pregnant, and menstruation does not take place.

Hoping this process was clearly explained. Please do not hesitate to ask any questions...:)

thank you X-Press,

you made it much easier now.. :)

alot of thanx to all of u for this topic..

x-press: the anatomy of both sex reproductive sytems are taught for students in their high school, and they mention about the physiology and different functions of different hormones ,.

i just want everybody not confuse with menstruation which is a normal process , and premenstrual syndrome which is a problem..

and most of the discussion of the above is about the normal physiology of menstruation ..

i just want to give some brief information about the cause of PMS:
in brief it is manily due to the inmbalance between the estrogen and progesterone( the two female hormone) excessive estrogen and low progesteron causes it..
and it is not a disease but a nutritional disorder and taking the correct nutrition is believd to prevent this PMS..

Originally posted by FaHaD
premenstrual syndrome which is a problem..

...a nutritional disorder and taking the correct nutrition is believd to prevent this PMS..

Thanks Bimmi for your reply :)

Dr.Fahad, I am actually surprised that the schools in Oman indeed teach human reproductive system, as most youngsters, even in their twenties, I talk too have no real idea of what is opening and it seems their parents do not also teach them about it.

Dr.Fahad, could you please tell us how these premenstrual syndromes manifest themselves? Is is a problem before or while a woman is menstruating? Can you also tell us what is the proper nutrition to take to prevent this PMS?

Now we know that if fertilization and implantation do not occur, the blood pools into "venous lakes" which, once full, burst with the uterus lining, and therefore form the menstrual flow.

I know that women can experience different sensations before, during or after their periods. Dr.Fahad or anyone, what are these complains?

I usually experience only fatigue and a headache which woundn't go with normal medications, the day before my menstruations. Many of my friends do suffer from uterine cramping unlike me. I was wandering what can be done about it beside taking aspirin or a pain killer?

Originally posted by X-press
Many of my friends do suffer from uterine cramping unlike me. I was wandering what can be done about it beside taking aspirin or a pain killer?

Gentle exercise like taking a walk is supposed to help.
Anyone who has severe pain before or during menstruation should see a doctor because she may have endometriosis or some other medical problem.
I like "Midol" personally ...

I have a question, do female animals get periods (and PMS :D ) just like himan beings??? :confused:

Originally posted by MoonChild
she may have endometriosis or some other medical problem.

MoonChild, what is endometriosis?
Is Madol a medication similar to Panadol or Aspirin?

Bimmi, good question! I was really amazed when I read in the Religion Sabla one member saying that rabbit had their periods!!! For me it was so weird and it was as shoking as telling me that rabbit can write! The poster seemed to take his comment very seriously. As I never heard of such a thing or seen any animal bleeding on a monthly basis, like a woman, I am also wandering :confused:

MoonChild, Dr.Fahad...any answer to this?

sorry x-press for delay..
i will try to refresh my knolwedge little bit and i will come back to u soon..

yess animal do get menstruation but some animal got different period than human..like in rabbits, where they ovulate ( release the egg) at the time of orgasm( maximum point of sexual desire),, there for they release the eggs during sexual intercourse..

PREMENSTRAULSYNDROME:
symptoms :
they are either physical or psychologocal symptoms, about physical they are manily due to excess of progesterone or estrogen which are believed to be the cause of the problem..
and these hormones are very high during the midcycle onward.
by knowing u can know when the symptoms occur:
- at midcycle and are generally the most intense during the last seven days before menstruation.
- woman obtains relief when she menstruate beacuse the level of these hormones decreases rapidly.
- females are symptoms free during the first half of teh period coz the estrogen level is less if compared to second phase.
physical complains
acne,backache ,fatigue, headache ,sore breasts, uterine cramping ,constipation..etc
emotional symtoms
changes in sexual desire, depression, difficulty concentrating, difficulty handling stress ,irritability,tearfulness. ..etc

and about ur question about why some have some symptoms while other don't..:
there well noticed genetic variation between one individual in terms of metabolisms of different metabolites in the body including hormones.. and this not only applied not only in PMS but in other areas like effect of drugs( some people need more doses because they metabolites drugs much faster), in alcohol metabolism( u find some people get toxic to alcohol with smaller dose if compared with other)..

Originally posted by Bimzoori
I have a question, do female animals get periods (and PMS :D ) just like himan beings??? :confused:

I know when some animals go into heat they bleed - or maybe it's only if they don't breed when in heat - I remember seeing a dog in a diaper because she was in heat!

I think this would be a bad thing in the wild as predators are attracted to the scent of blood but will look it up and get back to you! Maybe it is only domestic animals...

Originally posted by FaHaD
yess animal do get menstruation but some animal got different period than human..like in rabbits

Thanks Dr.Fahad and it is indeed very interesting to learn that. I never saw my pet bleeding, though my cats are in heat constantly (real pain). Is it possible to see in animals a menstruation without blood? I know it is not possible for humain.

what measures to take to decrease or relieve the symtoms of PMS like pain ??
i know this is a big problems for some of , but i want to know what local measures u do for that cos i want to get some benefit here and help my future wife...;)

Originally posted by FaHaD
what measures to take to decrease or relieve the symtoms of PMS like pain ??

Dr.Fahad, it is true that a lot of women suffer from mild to severe cramps during menstruation, and they should remember that it is not a desease but just a condition.

Usually at a personal level I just take two panadol or a mild pain killer and the pain will go for a while, but I have heard that the following can help:

- Avoid caffeine (tea, coffee, caffeine drinks...) as it constricts blood vessels and increases tension.
- Drink ginger root tea (especially if you experience fatigue).
Put cayenne pepper on food. It is a vasodilator and improves circulation.

I don't know how far it is true that the following also help:

- Avoid red meat, refined sugars, milk, and fatty foods.
- Eat lots of fresh vegetables, whole grains, nuts, seeds and fruit.

I read that "Ovarian Kung Fu" reduce and eliminate menstrual cramps. I have no idea what it is and ask for some help here.

thanx XP
so the idea is to vasodilate blood vessels and prevent vasoconstriction...

actually i want to reda gyenaecology books but i am sooo busy , i will concentrate more on it next yr cos we will have its rotation...
but nice to know more..

i have a question:

while i am reading about the examination of the abdomen ; i read that a red patch might be present in the abdomen of ladies due to the use of heat for the menstrual pain...an dthis patch i think is called Cambell De Morgan patch..
so is the application of heat serve a good method for decrasing pain.. and does hot bath reliev the pain...

about the patch u have said.. i didnt hear about it and i didnt understand exactly what u meant ???

but what i think of applying heat .. in the one u have mentioned (take a hot bath) i think its psychologically u start to think about the hot bath and try to concentrate in it, thats why u dont feel the pain but i think the pain might go for a walk and then it'll come back ..what i mean the pain will still be there ...

but still u cant take my point of veiw as it is right :lost: ?!??!
try to find the answer and here im curios to know the right one :rolleyes:

psyciatric effect on treatment is all the time there,,
heat has a vasodilatic action but my question was not how it decreases pain.. but it was does it really decrease teh pain through soem ladies experience....

Dr.Fahad, I didn't also quite understand why you meant by a red patch find on some women abdomens during menstruation (?). It is the first time to hear about it, but it can be true. I suppose the patch will not be due to heat but rather to some sign of internal inflammation...here if there is severe pains or muscle cramps. I personally never experience this condition.

http://thumb-2.image.altavista.com/image/89447517

However, I know that some women find temporary relief by putting a hot rubber bottle directly below the pubic area, where the uterus is located. The heat reduce the pain, but again it is not permanent and it will either decrease or most probably continue as soon as the bottle is removed.

Waiting to know if indeed some food, as I mentioned earlier, can help preventing the menstrual crampings.

yeap x-press that is what i meant,, by

those patches are named as Cambell -de morgan patches..
i was just wondering wether heat serve as a good method in relieving the pain according to some female experience...

navy blue, here is the topic which u were intresting in..
if u have any question you are most welcome to ask

Taking a hot bath before or during your period is good as it makes you feel more comfortable and I heard that it can take the pain away. I also heard that taking a bath while you have your period is not good for you. Is that true?

i have asked the same question above..
anyway, actually it is not well explained but what i think is the follwoing:

pain sensations are carried by nerves.. an dthe human body has a complex system of nerves which they inter-connect to each other... heat on skin will carry pain signals and these signals will relieve the pain from menstrual cycle , to understand this lets take the example of itching... when rashes or inflammation causes some kind of pain which will be reieved if u itch teh surrounding skin area where u will stimulate other pain fibres( nerves)..
it is explained well by some kind of mechanism which i don't wnat to go into details because it won't be appropiate..

It's documented that females are less tolerant to pain during their pre-menstrual and menstrual period because of the hormonal changes. It's recommended that certain medical procedures be performed mid-cycle when a female's pain tolerance is highest.

It's amazing the way our bodies work. Subhan Allah.

I always wondered why mom and I, or my friends menstruate at the same time, it turns out:

Odorless chemical signals given off by women called pheromones can change a woman's menstrual cycle so that women in group settings often menstruate during the same time.

its funny how your eggs have expire dates...

its just like...

EGGS... :gap:

how come some girls feel the pain, and a total mood swing occuers, but on others, its hard to notice, in fact they dont feel no pain at all!??!

kamkazy studying pain is a difficult area and the response of person to pain i mena teh tolerance is not well explained..
there have been some explaination in term of biological and psychological differences... but again they are just theories..

The monthly period of the women, can be sometimes less than one month ? i mean for example 15 days or 20 days.

samaki, there was a thread here called PMS or menstruation, that might have your answer, not sure about that, but have a look anyway!
I'll try and look up for an answer

thanks guys for all these information, but i have raised a question in a seperate thread which is related to this topic i will be glad if somebody could answer me. my question is:
The length of monthly period (pms)�@of the women, can be sometimes less than one month ? i mean for example 15 days or 20 days.
thanking you in advance

thanks Dr,N, i have checked there but i didnt find an answer for my question. waiting frm you doctor;)

Originally posted by samaki

The length of monthly period (pms)�@of the women, can be sometimes less than one month ? i mean for example 15 days or 20 days.
thanking you in advance

in human beings the cycle average is 27/28 days..however it varies from one person to another and the cycle can range from 20-40 days.. depends from one idnidvidual to the other.. not sure if it can go to less than 20 days though..

What do the doctors say?

thanks bimi, but this happened to somebody that her period came after 18 days exactly in this month, so she is very woried.
looking forwar for a clarification:)

Samaki, I've been looking for an answer and I found this, but I'll keep looking and I might find something better.

The menstrual cycle is a very sensitive thing and can become irregular for a number of reasons:
Stress
New cycle , that is the irregularity experienced by some young girls at the onset of the periods. Their cycle can be irregular for months or years whilst it is establishing itself.
Dietary problems , eg anorexia, bulimia or simply poor diet
Too much exercise
Drugs - prescription and recreational
Break in routine
Thoughts and emotions
Sexual activity - especially when it is a new occurrence
Anxiety about pregnancy


Illness or physiological imbalance eg thyroid conditions
Irregularity also falls into 2 categories:

Long Term Irregularity
Long term irregularity can be anything from a cycle that varies in length from month to month to the experience of various abnormal symptoms, for example, excessive bleeding, no cycle for months at a time, very painful periods or ovulation.
To be on the safe side if your are experiencing prolonged bleeding or very painful symptoms it is wise to consult a doctor to find out what is going on.

Sudden or Short term Irregularity
Short term irregularity can be attributed to any of the causes listed above, and are generally a one off or sporadic occurrence. These cases are probably not a cause for great concern unless you are experiencing pain or just feel as if something is wrong.
Naturally, a delayed period can indicate pregnancy so you may want to clear that option by taking a pregnancy test.
from www.menstruation.com

thanx bimmi and dr_N

samaki, can i ask u some questions
doe she alwas has period after 18 days..
if yes that will be called regular period..
when the period varries then it will be called irrigular.

average menstrual period is 28 days but actually it can vary from 20 to 40 days..

so no worries...
plus does her famiily members have small period like her or not?

sorry for the dely however thanks Dr.N for your information and thank to Dr. fahad, and i am looking forward more information.

Usually her period is 28 days, but only this month happened irregular.
non of her family have such case.
one more question do excercises or dancing negatively affect woman during PMS.

well samaki, in that case let her go and visit a doctor.. don't go to a health center for this problem since it will take long time till u get an appointment ina hospital..

heavy excercise and atheltes do get abnormal menstrul level.. and that depends on teh level or severity of of the excercise

thank you very much Fahad, and thanks to all