Last Updated on September 13, 2023 by Aditi Gangal
Quick Take
A social media post claims that having a period is not normal. We fact-checked and found this post to be False.
The Claim
A Facebook post reads, “that’s crazy we really grew up thinking having a period is normal & ITS NOT 
Another Facebook user replied to the post
The post has received 526 comments and shared by users 506 times until we checked last.
Fact Check
What are Periods?
Periods, also known as menstruation, is a natural physiological process in the female reproductive system. It occurs approximately once a month and involves the shedding of the lining of the uterus. During each menstrual cycle, the body prepares for the possibility of pregnancy, and if pregnancy does not occur, the uterus sheds its lining, resulting in bleeding from the vagina. Menstrual bleeding may vary in volume and consistency, ranging from light spotting to heavy flow.
What is a menstrual cycle?
The periods follow a monthly cycle called menstrual cycle. It is a series of events that prepares a female body every month for the possibility of pregnancy. The menstrual cycle can last in length from 21 to 35 days.
The hormonal changes initiate the first stage, called the menses phase. This stage sheds the lining of the uterus through the vagina if no pregnancy occurs.
The next stage of the follicular phase increases estrogen levels to grow the lining of the uterus. During this stage, follicle-stimulating hormone grows follicles in the ovaries to produce an egg.
This stage is followed by the ovulation phase, in which the level of luteinizing hormone increases to release the egg, which travels through the fallopian tube to reach the uterus.
This stage is called the luteal phase and is recognized by increased levels of progesterone which prepares the uterus for pregnancy. But in the absence of sperm, the estrogen and progesterone levels drop to shed the lining of the uterus and start the menses phase again.
Is having a period not normal?
Absolutely not. Having a period, known as menstruation, is a normal biological process for people with female reproductive systems. As mentioned above, the body follows a monthly cycle in order to prepare the female for the possibility of pregnancy.
However, not getting periods can be a sign of abnormality. The absence of periods or menstruation is a condition called amenorrhea. Primary amenorrhea is considered when a girl reaches age 15 without getting a period, while secondary amenorrhea is the absence of at least three periods in a row for someone who’s had them before.
The absence of a period for 90 days or more is considered abnormal unless the woman is pregnant, breastfeeding or going through menopause.
Irregular or abnormal periods can be caused due to a variety of reasons, such as hormonal imbalances, thyroid disorders, eating disorders, excessive exercise, stress, and certain medications. In some cases, it can be a sign of an underlying medical condition, such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), premature ovarian failure, or a pituitary gland disorder. Here the duration of periods can change for different individuals. The length of a menstrual period can vary widely among individuals and can be influenced by various factors, including hormonal fluctuations, age, overall health, and underlying medical conditions.
Menstruation typically begins (menarche) during puberty (between the ages of 10 and 16, with the average age of onset being 12.4 years). The end of the menstrual cycle due to a drop in hormone levels is called Menopause (i.e., 12 months without a menstrual period). It can happen between the age of 45-55 years of age.
In conclusion, periods are absolutely normal, and the human species wouldn’t exist if periods didn’t exist.
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