What happens during Periods

Having a period is an important part of a woman - it signifies that she is fertile or capable of creating and having a baby. Most girls start menstruating between the 10 and 13. On an average the cycle lasts for 28 days, but it can fluctuate. The cycle is controlled by hormones prepared by body for a possible pregnancy every month. The first day of the cycle is the day you start bleeding. The body is shedding the lining of blood built up in your uterus. This usually lasts approx. two to seven days. The second day is usually the day that women bleed most heavily. When the bleeding stops, the ovaries start preparing a new egg to be released, and your uterus will start building up another lining to support a pregnancy (in case the egg is fertilized by the male sperm). Sometime during the cycle, your body releases an egg into the fallopian tube, which travels to your uterus. If it is not fertilized during the journey, the hormone levels drop and your body gets ready for another period.