Before a period starts, other sex characteristics have usually developed, such as pubic hair and budding breasts. The first menstrual bleed or period (called menarche) usually occurs between the ages of 12 – 14 years but can occur anytime between the ages of 9 – 15. This bleeding is called a menstrual period or menstruation. When pregnancy does not occur, the egg and lining of the uterus are shed from the vagina during a menstrual bleed.
The purpose of the menstrual cycle is to prepare the body for a possible pregnancy.ĭuring the menstrual cycle, a mature egg is produced by the ovaries and the lining of the uterus thickens to support a possible pregnancy. The menstrual cycle is a natural recurring cycle of changes in the ovaries, lining of the uterus (endometrium) and sex organs.
