OK, it's time to talk about #periods. #menstruation. #flow. What it is, what's normal, and what's NOT. Buckle up, friends! 1/
A period is the disposal or shedding of the endometrial lining, or the tissue of the inside of the uterus that grows approximately every month in anticipation of a pregnancy. 2/
A normal period occurs every 21 to 35 days and lasts 2 to 7 days in length. How much blood a person loses varies day to day, but it should not be heavy enough to cause someone to soak through a pad or tampon every hour. 3/
Monthly menses should NOT cause anemia or iron deficiency. People experiencing their periods should NOT feel faint from blood loss. 4/
Some cramping is normal, but it should be manageable with over the counter medication, if any treatment at all. It is NOT normal to have to miss work or school for pain from a period. It is OK to see a doctor if you think your periods are too heavy or too painful! 5/
Why do periods happen? WELL, do I have a story for you! It all starts because the body is low on estrogen and progesterone, so the pituitary gland starts cranking out a hormone to stimulate follicle growth (FSH). 6/ 
This kicks the ovaries into gear, and they start to make follicles, or little cysts that go to work to make a mature ovum (egg). Those follicles make estrogen, which tells the pituitary to slow its FSH roll (so we don't typically have multiple mature ova, like other species). 7/
Estrogen also tells the uterus to start making a home for the anticipated embryo, so the endometrial tissue starts to grow. 8/
Then, whichever ovum wins the race and is mature first, gets to ovulate! This is triggered by a surge in a different hormone from the pituitary called LH. 9/
The ovum will hang out in the fallopian tube for about 24 hours, awaiting fertilization. Meanwhile, the rest of the follicle, now called the corpus luteum, gets to work making progesterone. 10/
Progesterone makes all that new endometrial tissue in the uterus capable of supporting an embryo for implantation. The corpus luteum can make progesterone for about 10 days, and then it retires (unless an embryo shows up to tell it to keep going). 11/
The absence of progesterone makes the endometrium sad, so it begins to shed a few days later, and the uterus-having person has a period. 12/
Cycles vary in length because of the growth of the follicle. For some people its fast, and for some people its slow. For some people, its very dysfunctional, and they have irregular periods (like people with PCOS). 13/
After ovulation, because the corpus luteum has a finite lifespan, everyone has approximately 14 days until their period (unless they become pregnant!). 14/
Conclusions:
1) Periods are a normal part of a body that has a uterus.
2) Periods happen every 21 to 35 days and last about 7 days. They shouldn't be too heavy or painful. If they are, that's a good reason to see a doctor! 15/
1) Periods are a normal part of a body that has a uterus.
2) Periods happen every 21 to 35 days and last about 7 days. They shouldn't be too heavy or painful. If they are, that's a good reason to see a doctor! 15/
3) It takes a working brain, ovary, fallopian tube, uterus, and lots of hormones to have a period every month. It's pretty wild! 16/16
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