Your period, also called menstruation, is the normal vaginal bleeding that occurs every month, but have you ever wondered why we menstruate? Let's find out.

Every month from between puberty to menopause, the body gets itself ready for pregnancy. The body starts releasing hormones that thicken the lining of the uterus, and then the ovaries release an egg in a process called ovulation. During this time, estrogen and progesterone levels are high. However if the egg fails to fertilize, the levels of these hormones fall below a certain threshold, and triggers the onset of menstruation. The uterus starts to shed its lining and it is passed along with some blood out of the body through the vagina, a process well known to us as our period!

The menstrual cycle is a way of releasing tissues from the body that is no longer needed. Every month, your body thickens the lining of the uterus for providing a suitable environment for the fertilized egg to grow into an embryo. When the egg is not fertilized, your body longer needs those uterus lining so it sheds out with some blood through the vagina. After the lining is shed out, your body again prepares an egg and starts building the lining. This cycle goes on until you reach menopause and this is the Menstrual Cycle.

On average, a female loses about two to three tablespoons of blood during their period, which may sound too little, but it's true! On average, periods are of 28 days, and bleeding typically lasting for 4 to 5 days. However, this is not the case for all females. Some females may experience a menstrual cycle of more than 28 days and some have a cycle shorter than 28 days, but they're still considered normal!

If you are concerned about your menstrual cycle being too long or short, you should consult a gynecologist.