What is a period and whats the average age to get one?

Answer 1

Only human beings and the great apes experience a true menstrual cycle. Most placental mammals experience estrus instead. The menstrual cycle is under the control of the reproductive hormone system and is necessary for reproduction. In women, menstrual cycles occur typically on a monthly basis between puberty and menopause.

During the menstrual cycle, the sexually mature female body builds up the lining of the uterus with gradually increasing amounts of estrogen, and when this hormone reaches a critical level, estradiol is produced, and shortly thereafterward there is the stimulation of the ovaries with Follicle Stimulating Hormone, and luteinizing hormone. Follicles begin developing, and within a few days one "matures" into an ovum or egg. The ovary then releases this egg, (or occasionally two, which might result in dizygotic, or non-identical, twins) at the time of ovulation. The lining of the uterus, the endometrium, peaks shortly there afterward in a synchronised fashion. After ovulation, this lining changes to prepare for potential conception and implantation of the fertilized egg to establish a pregnancy. The hormone progesterone rises after ovulation, and peaks shortly thereafter.

If fertilization and pregnancy do not ensue, the uterus sheds the lining, culminating with menstruation, which marks the low point for estrogen activity. This manifests itself to the outer world in the form of the menses (also menstruum): essentially part of the endometrium and blood products that pass out of the body through the vagina. Although this is commonly referred to as blood, it differs in composition from venous blood. Menstrual cycles are counted from the beginning of menstruation, because this is an outside sign that corresponds closely with the hormonal cycle. Menses, or bleeding and other menstrual signs may end at different points in the new cycle.

Common usage refers to menstruation and menses as a period. This bleeding serves as a sign that a woman has not become pregnant. (However, this cannot be taken as certainty, as sometimes there is some bleeding in early pregnancy.) During the reproductive years, failure to menstruate may provide the first indication to a woman that she may have become pregnant. A woman might say that her "period is late" when an expected menstruation has not started and she might have become pregnant.

Menstruation forms a normal part of a natural cyclic process occurring in healthy women between puberty and the end of the reproductive years. The onset of menstruation, known as menarche, occurs at an average age of 12, but is normal anywhere between 8 and 16. Factors such as heredity, diet and overall health can accelerate or delay the onset of menarche.[1]

The condition precocious puberty has caused menstruation to occur in girls as young as 8 months old. Some women experience their first period in their late teens. The last period, menopause, usually occurs between the ages of 45 and 55. Deviations from this pattern deserve medical attention. Amenorrhea refers to a prolonged absence of menses during the reproductive years of a woman for reasons other than pregnancy. For example, women with very low body fat, such as athletes, may cease to menstruate. The presence of menstruation does not prove that ovulation took place; women who do not ovulate may have menstrual cycles. Those anovulatory cycles tend to take place less regularly and show greater variation in cycle length. In addition, the absence of menstruation also does not prove that ovulation did not take place, because hormone disruptions in non-pregnant women can suppress bleeding on occasion.

Answer 2

Well the average age girls start to get their period is about 13 but it is not regular until about 2 years after you get it.

Answer 3

12 or 13

Answer 4

It depends on the girl when u get it.For me I got mine when I was 11 because I deleloped early.And if your developing breast and geting hair down there you'll be geting your period soon.A period is when u bleed,because your making like a nest for a baby to be in.So this means u can get pregnat,so don't do anything like that because your to young.You'll be just fine carry underwear and a pad in your purse or backpack good luck!

Answer 5

the average age is 12-13 & it is when the blood lining in a girl's uterus builds up, leaks out, & the cycle starts again

Answer 6

You will probably learn about this in school, but you will get your period when you are going through puberty. (Getting curbes, shaving, cramps, breast development etc.) And you can get it from the age of 9-16. You can get it earlier or after 16, but it is really rare, and almost never happens. enjoy your time before it happens, cuz it ain't fun.

Answer 7

ok your period is NOT your maturity cycle. it's called a menstrual cycle and it's when you start to produce eggs. and if that egg is not inseminated by a guys sperm it basically dies. thats what your period is, it is a way for your body to get rid of the unproduced eggs.there is no "normal" age. it depends on the person, my cousin started when she was only 9.

Answer 8

If you are a pre-teen you should be well aware of what it is. You really need to talk to your Mom or an adult woman. Some girls get it as early as 9 and some as late as 16.

Answer 9

When an egg is produced the lining of your uterus thickens so that the egg can attach to it and gain nutrients from it. If the egg doesn't attach, it means your not pregnant, and the blood that comes out is the uterine lining that's not needed.

Answer 10

the average age is twelve and it is when your maturity cycle starts.....like it tells you that you are now able to get pregnant, its very risky