I think most of us know what it means when we say ‘periods’ or ‘menstruating’. When it comes to people with uterii, half of us dread that time of the month. We know the basics from school or family. We know it can make us moody sometimes and give us pain, and we know what to do when we start menstruating and it’s important to keep clean. That’s all there is to know, right?

No, it isn’t. There is so much more to know that isn’t talked about in schools, and I think it should be. So, I’ll be talking about some of it today! 

The topic of periods can be quite uncomfortable for some to talk about sometimes as it can be seen as embarrassing, but it is completely natural and happens to a lot of people. It is important to have a bit more knowledge  than just the basics, so we don’t have to worry or know when to go for a check-in.  

For Those Who Don’t Know 

A period is when a female bleeds from their vagina every month to get rid of unfertilized eggs, so their uterus can prepare for new ones. Once an egg is fertilized by a sperm the female becomes pregnant, and the egg isn’t fertilised, the lining of the womb (that had built up in preparation for an embryo), breaks down and leads to menstruating. (menstruating is another word for having your period) Of course when you're younger, your period can still be irregular so you might miss a month or two, so don’t worry. 

Amenorrhea 

Amenorrhea is when you lose your period; this could be because of over exercising and not getting enough nutrients, genetics, hormones, or problems with the reproductive system. A lot of athletes get amenorrhea and it can be a normal thing sometimes.  If amenorrhea is left untreated, it can lead to serious health complications later in life. For example, you would become infertile and struggle with becoming pregnated. 

Vaginal Discharge 

Vaginal discharge is completely normal so don’t panic if you get it! I thought I was dying or had some health condition when I first discovered it. Discharge is quite common, especially after and during puberty. It’s a sort of fluid or mucus that is let out to keep the vagina moist and clean and helps prevent infections.  There are distinct colours of discharge and they mean different things. For example: Clear discharge would mean that you're healthy, or indicate hormonal imbalances, ovulation etc. Yellow-green could be an indication of a sexually transmitted infection. White is a possible indication that there's yeast infection. However, discharge can be many different textures and colours, and just because it isn't clear doesn't mean there's something wrong with you. Sometimes discharge can discolour your underwear since the acidic nature mixes with the dye of your underwear. This is completely normal. 

Vaginal Odours 

This is a bit of an odd one. Vaginas do have a natural smell - unfortunately they don’t smell like flowers or honey (but if they did that would be a bit worrying). What determines your vaginal odour is the pH of it. Normally the pH is 3.5 or 4.5, but this can change sometimes like after having your period.  There are a couple different smells you can get like a fishy smell which hints at bacterial vaginosis which is quite common and can be treated with antibiotics from your doctor.  

DISCLAIMER: This article was not written by a medical professional and should not be used in place of medical advice. If you're worried about something, speak to a trusted adult or GP.