All About Menstruation and the Cycle

For many women and menstruating people, periods are a perfectly natural part of everyday life, yet a surprising number of people do not know exactly why we menstruate at all. Why does the body have to shed blood and tissue every month? What happens during the menstrual cycle? And what role could modern products play in this?

In this article, we explain in simple terms what is behind your period, why menstrual cramps can occur, and what you should look out for when it comes to CBD tampons.

What actually is a period?

The period, also called menstruation, is a natural part of the female menstrual cycle. To put it simply, the body prepares for a potential pregnancy every month.

During this process, the lining of the uterus, known as the endometrium, builds up over the course of the cycle. It receives increased blood flow and prepares for the possibility of a fertilized egg implanting.

If a pregnancy does not occur, the body does not need this lining for that cycle. Hormone levels change, and the built-up uterine lining is shed.

The result: menstrual bleeding.

Why do we bleed every month?

Therefore, menstrual bleeding is not an “unnecessary loss” and is not a sign that something is wrong with the body. Rather, it is a visible part of a complex hormonal process.

The menstrual cycle can be simplified into several phases:

1. Phase / Menstrual phase: The uterine lining is shed.
2. Phase / Follicular phase: Follicles mature in the ovary and the uterine lining begins to build up again.
3. Phase / Ovulation: A mature egg is released from the ovary.
4. Phase / Luteal phase: The body prepares for a potential pregnancy once again.

If no fertilization or implantation takes place, the cycle starts all over again with the next period.

How long does a menstrual cycle last?

People often talk about a 28-day cycle. However, this is only an average value. A normal cycle can be significantly shorter or longer and varies from person to person.

The duration of the period and the intensity of the bleeding can also vary.

Why can periods be painful?

During menstruation, the uterus contracts. This is caused in part by the body’s own chemical messengers called prostaglandins.

These muscle contractions help to expel the uterine lining from the uterus. At the same time, they can also be perceived as period pain or menstrual cramps.

Typical symptoms during a period can include, for example:

Abdominal pain

Back pain

Headaches

Fatigue

Breast tenderness

Mood swings

Digestive issues

The severity of symptoms varies greatly. While some people barely notice their period, others can suffer significantly.

Very severe, new, or intensifying menstrual pain should be checked by a doctor. This could be caused by conditions such as endometriosis or other gynecological issues.

Why did nature set it up this way?

A common question is: Why does the body have to build up and break down the uterine lining every month?

Menstruation is closely linked to human reproduction. The body regularly prepares the uterus for a potential pregnancy. If no pregnancy occurs, the preparation is ended and the cycle begins again.

From an evolutionary perspective, however, human menstruation is something special. Not all mammals menstruate in the same way as humans. In many mammals, the uterine lining is reabsorbed differently if a pregnancy does not occur.

Human menstruation is therefore the result of a complex biological evolution and not simply a “cleansing process” for the body.

Menstruation is not a detox

One myth persists particularly stubbornly: that periods cleanse the body of toxins.

This is not true.

Menstrual bleeding is not a monthly detox. It consists of blood, mucus, and shed uterine lining tissue, among other things, and is part of the normal reproductive cycle.

Organs such as the liver and kidneys are primarily responsible for detoxification and the excretion of certain substances.

What can tampons do during a period?

Along with pads, period underwear, and menstrual cups, tampons are one of the ways to collect menstrual blood.

A tampon is inserted into the vagina, where it absorbs the flow. There are various absorbency levels depending on the intensity of the period.

It is important to change a tampon regularly and follow the manufacturer's usage instructions. In particular, tampons should not be worn longer than recommended.

This is because using tampons carries the risk—albeit rare—of toxic shock syndrome (click here to learn more about toxic shock syndrome). For this reason, usage instructions should be taken seriously.

Anyone wishing to use a CBD tampon should therefore pay special attention to the composition, quality, usage instructions, and manufacturer information.

In the case of severe menstrual pain, such a product also does not replace a medical examination or treatment.

Conclusion: The period is a natural part of the cycle

Menstruation is a completely normal part of the human reproductive cycle. Every month, the body prepares for a potential pregnancy. If this does not happen, the built-up uterine lining is shed – and we get our period.

Period pain is caused in part by uterine contractions. How strongly these are felt is very individual.

Frequently asked questions about periods

Why do you get your period?
The period occurs when the uterine lining is shed after a cycle without pregnancy.

Is a period a detox?
No. Menstruation is not a monthly detox for the body, but a component of the menstrual cycle.

Why does a period hurt?
Among other things, the muscles of the uterus contract during menstruation. Prostaglandins play an important role in this.

When should I see a doctor for period pain?
If you experience very severe, unusual, new, or increasing pain, as well as symptoms that significantly impair your daily life, a gynecological check-up is advisable.