Menstrual Cycle - A Feminist Lifespan Perspective !!

Do not touch pickle, Do not exercise, Do not wear white clothes etc . These are some of the statements that Indian women have heard every month when they experience the Menstrual cycle. Menstrual taboos shape many religious and social practices across the globe. Certain religious traditions consider this cycle impure and thus, the menstruating women are banned from religious rites, food preparation etc. Many religious traditions consider menstruation defile and ritually unclean.

We boldly say that we live in the 21^st century and have revolved with the time. But I don’t feel so that our thinking has revolved with the time. People still consider it a shame and insensible to discuss in public about the gender issues, social taboos and the problems and changes that women face in day to day lives.

The menstrual cycle is one of the most important biological differences between females and males. This cycle enables that a girl is all set for fertilisation and to give birth to an offspring. To get a new born baby into this world, a woman has to undergo so many changes and equally face a lot of problems. But to discuss about these problems it is considered defile. People should understand that this cycle is a part of women’s daily life. All over the world girls and young women experience the menstrual cycle. It is a natural process just as ocean flowing. But in many countries the subject is enshrouded with shame and harsh impractilities.

Girls are still considered a burden even after so much of public awareness programmes. ‘Female Foeticide’ is still practiced in many areas of the world though it is illegal. They kill girls as people still believe that girls are not capable like the boys. But my question is who are we to decide who is capable and who is not? And because of this the numbers of girls are decreasing.

 We must leave things for nature to decide. Chance combination of X and Y sperms with ova when left to nature automatically results in balancing the population of two sexes. Then, we must respect WOMAN, since only they help in bringing up of babies, and not the man.

People, especially some women have voluntarily begun to spread awareness about the importance about the menstrual cycle and are trying to break the social taboo. But such women are countable. Its effect hasn’t still spread. There are still thousands who aren’t aware about this biological process. Its time that we youngsters raise our voice against this taboo in full action and take up all steps to break the myths against the girls and their problems.

Physical Changes In Boys- 'Adam s apple' or Voice Change.

With the influence of androgens,the voice box or larynx grows in both male and female. But this growth is far more prominent in males than females, causing the male voice to deepen and sometimes abruptly because the longer and thicker folds have a lower frequency. Before puberty ,  the larynx of boys and girls is equally small. Occasionally the voice change is accompanied by unsteadiness of vocalisation in the early stages of untrained voices. Most of the voice change in males happens during their peak growth. Adult pitch is attained at an average age of 15 years, although the voice may not fully settled until the early twenties. It usually precedes the development of significant facial hair by several months to years.

Physical Changes In Girls- The Vagina

In the vagina, due to the effect of estrogen hormone,  the perenial skin keratinizes , increasing its resistance to infection. The mucosal memebrane also changes with the effect of eostrogen in the vagina, which makes it thicker and duller pink in colour in contrast to the red colour of the pre -pubertal vaginal mucosa. The mucosa memebrane is made of ephithelium and its functions include absorption and secretion. Gradually this mucosa membrane changes into a multilayered structure with superficial squamous cells. The estrogen hormone also plays a role in increasing the glycogen level , which plays an important role in maintaining the vaginal pH. Maintaining the vaginal pH is important  to prevent infections. Also when sexually aroused a whitish or yellowish , thick liquid gushes out. This effect is also because of estrogen. It is usually called vaginal discharge or leukorrhea. In the two years of the thelarche, the ovaries, uterus and the follicles in the ovaries increase in size. The ovaries contain small follicle cysts which can be viewed by ultrasound.

Physical Changes in Girls- Menstruation and fertility.

The first menstrual bleeding is referred to as menarche, which typically occurs about two years after thelarche. Thelarche is a term used to refer the onset of secondary breast development. The experience of menarche, is different for different girls, it may happen when they are between the age group 11 to 16. The time period between the menstrual period also known as menses, is not always regular in the first two years. Ovulation may or may not be accompanied with the earliest menses, but it is necessary for fertility. Initiation of ovulation after menarche is inescapable. Those girls with irregularity in menstrual cycle for a long period of time are at a higher risk of prolonged irregularity and reduced fertility.

Physical Changes in Boys- Muscular and Bone growth.

As we reach adolescence there is an increase in the bone weight resulting into heavier bones. Also some of the bone growth results in the increase in shoulder width and jaw thus resulting in noticeably different male and female skeletal shapes. Also the muscle starts to develop during the later stages. This muscle growth continues even after puberty and the rate of growth is also a bit higher. Also we start to experience a term called Gynecomastia,  which is the hardening of nipples in a male . This is not permanent. This happens because of the development of fat pads in the male breast tissue and nipples. We start to gain strength and stamina during this stage so it is required to keep ourselves healthy during this period to avoid future consiquences.

Physical changes in Girls- Breast Development

This is considered to be the first physical sign of puberty in girls. There is an extension or a lump observed in the areola region. The areola region is the dark coloured area which is usually different from that of the adjacent skin. This is found in the surrounding areas of the nipples. We develop this at around the age of 11 years. This process of breast development takes place in stages.
Stage 1: Development of a flat pre-pubertal breast.
Stage 2: It is based on Tanner staging. Tanner scale also known as tanner staging is used to determine the external growth based on     primary or secondary sexual characteristics.
Stage 3: Within some months , the swelling begins which is soft and can be seen or felt. The extension is at the region of the areola.
Stage 4: They start to approach mature size and shape. A second lump is formed at this stage.
Stage 5: In some young women this lump dissapears into the matured breast. Which is a kind of exception.
Anyway the sizes are still not identifiable and depends on the 4'th and 5'th stages.

Physical Changes in Boys- Body Odour and Acne

Physical Changes are something that we teens don't love. Body odour, acne are some changes we don't like. Here are reasons why these happen.

Due to the change in our fatty acid composition we are likely to develop a more adult kind of body odor. Also we start to sweat a lot and get involved in the usage of perfumes and deodorants.  Also we tend to develop acne which cannot be escaped. But it fully diminishes after the age of adolescence. Even though it may not appear to dissapear fully it is less severe than it was during adolescent age. Some may even involve in ointments, prescribed creams etc as acne might change the look in your face and also affect you emotionally.

Hormonal changes in Girls.

We usually face puberty at the age of 12 or 13. It all starts with the production of progesterone from the ovaries. Also along with this testosterone is produced. This testosterone acts on the granulosa cells which help in the development of the female gamete. The presence of FSH ( Follicle Stimulating Hormone), increase the aromatase activity of these cells. The aromatase help in the biosynthesis of estrogen hormone. The testosterone in females is used for 2 purposes. One purpose is for production of estradiol for the development of bones , growth, breast development, increase in fat composition, growth of uterus, increase in the thickness of endometrium present in the walls of the vagina and widening of the pelvis region. The second purpose is responsibility for the changes in females like development of pubic hair, acne , odour etc. But also it is made sure that the testosterone is not produced in excess. With the increase in estradiol and other processes , maturation is reached at a point where the female starts to ovulate along with the production of leutenizing hormone. The growth hormone is also produced during this time period which is produced till the end of puberty which is marked by the complete development of the ends of the bone due to estradiol. Though we may face many menstrual problems , we have to take good care of ourselves at these times and do everything necessary for it. No change's in our body should be taken for granted as it defines who we are and our beauty.

Hormonal changes in Boys

Though we get matured almost 1 to 2 years after the female puberty age, its not same for everyone. It depends on various factors which may include even environmental changes, genetic influence, nutritional value, stress, physical or mental illness, social skills etc. Testosterone a hormone produced by the testis is let out into the blood, and along with this there is a rise in blood levels. This is usually produced more during the night time than day time as when we sleep at night we may be aroused with our dreams and even wake up with surprise and find out we had a wet dream. This cannot be controlled on our own and happens without our consciousness.  Also some part of it gets converted into estradiol which helps in growth,  bone growth and the end parts of bones. Also there is a least modest development of the breast tissue in boys. This change is known as Gynecomastia. This results in swelling behind the nipples , but this change is temporary and is the result of excess production of estradiol. Also one more hormone dihydrotestosterone which acts as a sex steroid synthesizes the prostate gland, testes , hair follicles and the adernal glands. These are the hormonal changes we even face a lot of physical changes. We should understand these changes as boys as this is not only faced by us but every boy out there. Also may seem painful , disgusting and also fill you with other expression but this is Life.