What is a period?
A period is one name for the monthly bleeding or menstrual cycle of reproductive aged women. The period happens because pregnancy did not happen and the lining of the uterus, which got thick with blood to prepare for pregnancy, is lost because it is not needed. Because of the bleeding the lining becomes thin and needs to be repaired by the body. More hormones will make the lining thick to prepare again to become pregnant. The whole point of having periods is to be able to get pregnant. Blood and tissue build up in the inside of the uterus to get ready for pregnancy. If pregnancy does not happen then the hormones drop and bleeding begins. A woman loses about 2-4 tablespoons (25-60 ml) of blood each month. Ten percent of women lose 80 ml or more blood with each period and anemia (low blood count) can result.
