Being a woman doesnt make you an expert on your body, but the more you know, the better you can control it. After all, knowledge is power. As uncomfortable as you may feel discussing your Aunt Flos monthly visit, here are a few fascinating facts that will hopefully put you at ease and make talking about this (completely natural) topic less taboo.
1. Your period gets worse in the winter
Some women not only have more painful periods, but experience more menstrual-linked depression during the winter months, according to WebMD.
2. Youll have about 450 periods in your lifetime
3. And spend about 6.5 years of your life menstruating
On average, your period spans 38 years of your life, but more than six of those could be spent on shark week.
4. Girls are starting their periods younger and younger
Studies in the United States and Europe show that puberty is making an earlier appearance for girls now than it did ten years ago.
5. Synchronizing periods with your roommates is a myth
Science has yet to prove that womens cycles actually do this, but anyone whos had a twin PMS party with their bestie could argue otherwise.
6. Some companies have started providing menstrual leave to their employees
A few British companies, including one called Coexist, allow female employees to take menstrual leave. They make up for the time off, but dont have to have a sick note to take a day off when they have period pain
7. You can get pregnant during your period
Although its not super likely, its possible.
8. There is a Disney movie about menstruating
Its true. Disney produced, The Story of Menstruation, in 1946 as a resource for sex ed classes.
9. In some countries, women are still considered unclean while they are on their period
While this is true, weve got a long way to make periods not taboo, so lets be encouraged by that.
10. You dont actually need to bleed every month if youre on birth control
Some birth controls can completely stop your monthly bleeding, which can also lower your risk of ovarian cancer.
11. Youre not losing as much blood as you think
I know it feels like youre dying a slow, bloody death, but women only lose a few tablespoons to one cup of blood each month.
12. There can be as many as 2 million eggs in your ovaries
You probably know you are born with all of your eggs in your body, but did you know you had so many!?
13. Youre not going to get eaten by a shark if you swim while menstruating
I mean, I guess we cant promise that, but there are no documented shark attacks caused from a menstruating woman.
14. You, elephant shrews and some bats get each other
Youre the only mammals who have periods.
You can learn even more about your period and what foods you should never eat while menstruating here.
1. Your period gets worse in the winter
Some women not only have more painful periods, but experience more menstrual-linked depression during the winter months, according to WebMD.
2. Youll have about 450 periods in your lifetime
3. And spend about 6.5 years of your life menstruating
On average, your period spans 38 years of your life, but more than six of those could be spent on shark week.
4. Girls are starting their periods younger and younger
Studies in the United States and Europe show that puberty is making an earlier appearance for girls now than it did ten years ago.
5. Synchronizing periods with your roommates is a myth
Science has yet to prove that womens cycles actually do this, but anyone whos had a twin PMS party with their bestie could argue otherwise.
6. Some companies have started providing menstrual leave to their employees
A few British companies, including one called Coexist, allow female employees to take menstrual leave. They make up for the time off, but dont have to have a sick note to take a day off when they have period pain
7. You can get pregnant during your period
Although its not super likely, its possible.
8. There is a Disney movie about menstruating
Its true. Disney produced, The Story of Menstruation, in 1946 as a resource for sex ed classes.
9. In some countries, women are still considered unclean while they are on their period
While this is true, weve got a long way to make periods not taboo, so lets be encouraged by that.
10. You dont actually need to bleed every month if youre on birth control
Some birth controls can completely stop your monthly bleeding, which can also lower your risk of ovarian cancer.
11. Youre not losing as much blood as you think
I know it feels like youre dying a slow, bloody death, but women only lose a few tablespoons to one cup of blood each month.
12. There can be as many as 2 million eggs in your ovaries
You probably know you are born with all of your eggs in your body, but did you know you had so many!?
13. Youre not going to get eaten by a shark if you swim while menstruating
I mean, I guess we cant promise that, but there are no documented shark attacks caused from a menstruating woman.
14. You, elephant shrews and some bats get each other
Youre the only mammals who have periods.
You can learn even more about your period and what foods you should never eat while menstruating here.