Before and even up to now, the menstruation marks a new phase in a young girl's life where she is ushered to womanhood. The young woman should understand the workings of her body so that it will not be a cause of anxiety. The menstruation period can begin as early as 8 and as late as16. Majority of women have their first period during puberty from 12-13 years old.

The actual shedding of the uterine lining which comes with blood loss is only a portion of the menstrual cycle which takes about 28 days to complete. For some it may range from 23 to 35 days. This is generally the normal schedule for all healthy women for as long as they have not reached the menopausal stage. During the cycle, all the woman's reproductive organs are at work - uterus, cervix, ovaries, fallopian tubes and vagina as it is prepares for the possible coming of a baby.

The cyclical period of menstruation begins with the creation of a matured egg in the ovary. Then the rest of the reproductive system goes into high gear to prepare the body for the possible fertilization of the egg and formation of a fetus, such as the production of more hormones, estrogen, progesterone follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH).

The menstrual cycle consists of four parts. For ease and accuracy in plotting the start of the cycle, we will consider the actual menstruation as the start of the cycle. As preparation for the planting of the embryo, the uterus wall is lined with tissue and blood. If the egg is not fertilized, then the productive organs will abort its mission and disintegrate as blood, mucus and body cells exiting the body thru the opening of the cervix and the vagina. The issue is colored red or dark red and may include solid blood particles. The menstrual period may take three to five days.

Stage two in the cycle is the period prior to start of ovulation. As soon as the menstruation stops, another egg will soon be produced in the ovary and passes through the fallopian tubes.

On stage three, which is the ovulation stage, the egg leaves the ovary to go to the fallopian tubes. If the egg gets fertilized by that lucky sperm cell, it will become fastened to the walls of the uterus where the fertilized egg will become a fetus. Ovulation happens 2 weeks before the start of the next cycle.

We go to the final stage which is the premenstrual stage. In this case, the egg did not meet a worthy sperm cell so all the preparations done within the uterus will be have to be removed and thus will start the subsequent cycle.

The extent of the flow may not be the same for each period and varies with each woman. For others it might be always heavy, for others just moderate and still for others, very light. Duration of the period may also last between three to five days generally, on some occasions, from 2 to seven days, which still fall within the normal period.

Menopause is the time when the woman stops ovulating and no longer can befall pregnancy. Women reach this stage at different ages, although the average age is around 50. For some women this takes place much later.