• 1.
  Your very first loss of menstrual fluid is called MENARCHE pronounced (me-nar-kay).
• 2.
  There are lots of words to describe this release of monthly fluid from your vagina; periods, monthlies, Aunt Flo, time of the month or menses to name but a few.
• 3.
  Why is it called a period? Because it is a period of time in your life when something else happens that would not normally do so.
• 4.
  Menstrual blood is not the same as the blood you see when you cut yourself elsewhere on the body. Menstrual fluid lines the walls of your uterus and is called endometrium; this is a mixture of blood, tissue cells and natural secretions from the vagina and cervix and is not toxic or harmful in any way.
• 5.
  In fact, menstrual fluid is pretty clever and contains all the nutrients a developing foetus would need to keep it nourished and safe when growing inside a female.
• 6.
  On average a women can menstruate for up to 40 years, with 13 periods each year, that’s a whopping 520 periods in her lifetime. So now you can see why it’s important to understand your menstrual cycle and use the correct products for your flow.
• 7.
  Those little cramps you sometimes notice when on your period are caused by the muscles surrounding your uterus contracting to release your menstrual fluid. And this is done so over a period of days rather than all at once, which is why you may find there are times when no menstrual fluid is lost at all.
• 8.
  It can look like there is an awful lot of blood being lost. But, you’ll be surprised to learn that for people with an average menstrual flow, no more than 2.5 tablespoons or an egg cup full of blood is released each month.
• 9.
  Lots of women and girls notice clumps of blood being released along with their menstrual fluid, these are commonly known as blood clots, and are generally nothing to be anxious about.
• 10.
  Menstrual fluid is not always red in colour – it can vary from very light brown to dark red (almost black) and this is perfectly normal. Some girls notice this lighter colour loss throughout their period, whilst others may only experience this lighter colour on the last couple of days.

CHECK OUT OUR VIDEO ON THE MONTHLY CYCLE FOR MORE ON THIS SUBJECT.

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