Why is nature always called Mother Nature? Perhaps its because like any mother she quietly manages most of our living without our ever realizing there is a woman support. Right from the beginning we breathe and sleep and wake up with no more conscious planning than we used in sprouting teeth. Mother nature controls many of our routinely bodily processes through automated control centers called GLANDS.

The story of menstruation really begins with one particular gland. It is located here at the base of the brain and is called the pituitary gland. In our childhood years this particular pituitary gland concentrates on producing Growth hormones. Busy little messengers would circulate through the blood. They ordered the various bones and tissues to get growing. And as a girl grows up from blocks to dolls to books, that means her body is obeying the orders issued by the pituitary gland. Of course these orders vary amongst different girls. Some girls grow short, some tall, some heavy, some light.

But there comes a time somewhere between the ages 11 and 17, thought about 13 is average, when the pituitary must turn part of his attention to maturing the body which it is growing. So it starts sending out a new type of hormone, a maturing hormone. And that is when Menstruation begins; When these maturing hormones start coming down through the blood stream into the ovaries. The ovaries themselves are glands, about the size of almonds. And locked within each ovary are thousands of eggs. Although these eggs are too small to be seen by the human eye, anyone of them has the possibility of someday becoming a human being.  Near the ovaries are the fallopian tubes; short canals which lead to the uterus, a womb. This hollow pear shaped organ opens into the vagina which is part of the birth canal and is the external opening for this whole group of organs. So as you see there is continuous passage from each of these ovaries through the fallopian tube, uterus and vagina to the outside of the body. These organs function in a continuous cycle. The pituitary gland starts the process when it sends its maturing hormones down the blood stream to the ovaries. Now one of the ovaries passes an order of its own to the uterus. It tells the cells that make up the lining of the uterus to multiply and fill themselves with watery fluid and blood. This begins to build up a thickened lining of somewhat velvety material.

At the same time an ovary is maturing an ovum or egg which is magnified here so we can see it. About once a month this tiny egg passes out of the ovary and finds its way into the fallopian tube where it moves along towards the uterus. If the egg is impregnated, which happens when a woman is going to have a child, the egg will stay within the uterus. Then the thickened lining will provide nourishment for the budding human being through the early days of its development. However, most eggs pass through the fallopian tube without being fertilized. When this happens there is no use for that potential nourishment in the buildup lining of the uterus. And so in a few days it passes through the body. This is the flow we call Menstruation. So as we see now, menstruation is just one routine step in a normal and natural cycle that is going on continuously within the body. The time between periods is usually about 28 days. However, it may be shorter for some girls and longer for others. The flow may last anywhere between 3 days to 7, yet each of these different schedules may be normal. For just as the pituitary gland orders some girls short, some tall, some heavy and some slight, so its orders about menstruation may differ widely among normal women. The important thing is that you should be fairly regular within yourself. Of course a girl may be irregular during the first year or so. But after that when her system is settled down into a routine, her period should always be about the same number of days apart and last about the same length of time. Try not to throw yourself off schedule by getting yourself tired, emotionally upset or catching cold. And if your timing goes seriously wrong or you are bothered with severe cramps and headaches, you should have a talk with your doctor.

Of course you will want to keep a personal calendar. Mark the first day of each period and check to see that there are about the same number of days in between periods. It is not only a useful record of past performance but it comes in handy when you have to plan ahead. This calendar appears in an interesting booklet called very personally yours. This booklet is prepare to enlarge upon aht you have kearned from this brief video. Among other things the booklet explores the old taboo against bathing. Not only can you bathe, you should bathe. Because during menstruation, your perspiration glands are working overtime. Just be careful to avoid either very hot water or cold water. In fact it’s not a good idea to anytime shock your system with extremes anymore to let yourself get chilled or catch cold. And as for the old taboo against exercise, that’s nonsense. Exercise is good for you during menstruation. Just use common sense. When you come to think of it, most of your daily routine is on the mild side. It is going to extremes that’s wrong and to be avoided. To most girls, the menstrual periods should bring no severe discomfort. Some girls have a little less pep, a feeling of pressure on the lower part of the body, perhaps an occasional twinge or touch of nerves, but don’t let it get you down.

After all no matter how you feel, you have to live with people. You have to live with yourself too. And once you stop feeling sorry for yourself and take those days in your stride, you will find it easier to keep smiling and even tempered.  You can do practically everything you normally do. Provided you take common sense care of yourself. Exercises to release cramps are illustrated in the booklet. And do something about that slouch.  Stumpy poster is just as bad inside as it looks outside. So stand up straight and let the organs function from the position nature intended.

One way to help them function normally is to avoid constipation. You see your reproductive organs lie between the rectum and the bladder and their external openings. And constipation will disturb the relationship between these organs. So you will find worth your while to drink plenty of water, eat plenty of fruit and to include cereals and eggs and leafy vegetables in your diet. And incidentally it’s smart to keep looking smart.

That well groomed feeling will give you new poise and lift your morale especially when it’s backed up with sunshine and fresh air and plenty of rest and sleep. Because the best possible insurance against trouble on those days is healthy living everyday. And that’s the story. There is nothing strange, no mysteries about menstruation. All life is built on cycles. And the menstrual cycle is one normal and natural part of nature’s eternal plan for passing on the gift of life.