What is happening in my body?
The uterus is a pear-
Estrogen and progesterone, hormones that are secreted by the ovaries, drop sharply during the days before your period starts. This drop in estrogen and progesterone sends a message to the blood vessels in the endometrium to close off, which stops blood flow to the endometrium. Blood to this area then pools and bursts, causing your period. Menstrual flow consists of blood, endometrium, and mucus from the uterus and vagina.
Overview
The beginning of this week starts with the onset of your period. Although you aren't even pregnant yet, your doctor will use the first day of your last menstrual period to provide a simple way to calculate how far along your pregnancy is. Commonly referred to as "Day 1" by health care providers, your period starts when your uterus senses that you are not pregnant. Usually, your period will last somewhere between 4 and 8 days, and between 1 and 2 ounces of blood is lost during this time.
Uterine cramping, backache, bloating, nausea, diarrhea, headache, breast tenderness, irritability, and fatigue are all common complaints during this week.
The dip in estrogen and progesterone also stimulates an area in the brain called
the hypothalamus to secrete a hormone called GnRH (gonadotropin-
Menstruation
Of Note This Week
What causes cramps? What can you do about them? When is the pain severe enough to warrant a call to the doctor? Click here to find out!
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