BASIC INFORMATION

Umm Iman :

You know my daughter Iman. She just had her first menstruation ("Tamath") and she continuously asks questions about the period and about the causes for the changes that are taking place in her body. Oftentimes, I do not know how to answer her questions...I would like you to explain to  me the following : how does the period occur ? and what are the changes which accompany it ?

Dr Ahmad  :

Before we discuss how the period occurs, we must know something -albeit elementary- about the woman's procreative apparatus.

This apparatus is composed of the following:

- the ovaries for the production of the little egg (the ovum) once a  month.

- the ducts (or tubes) of the ovaries (Fallopian tubes) for the carrying of the ovum to the uterus.

- the uterus for the reception of the fertilized ovum and its protection during the period of pregnancy (including its nourishment, oxygen and other things).

- the vagina, which is the passageway leading to the uterus. It receives the spermatozoa ejaculated by the male organ.

As to the question of how the monthly period comes about, the following can be said :

It comes about thanks to the action of the "hormones" (6), which are  secreted by the two ovaries and which play a role in the development of the membranacious lining of the uterus (the endometrium). In the case of no pregnancy, the endometrium collapses and is accompanied by the emission of  blood (the menses). The menses occur and last, normally, for a period  ranging from three to five days. Their duration may go over, or be below, this range by a little period of time.

The monthly period ranges from twenty one to thirty five days. The  starting point is the first day of the period and the end is the first day of the following one. If it is shorter or longer than is indicated by this range, this is considered abnormal; therefore, a medical consultation is required.

Umm Iman: What is the quantity of (menstrual) blood  that is considered normal?

Dr Ahmad :

The quantity of (menstrual blood) that a woman loses ranges from 50 to 100 cubic centimeters. This amount is composed of: blood, pieces of coagulated blood, small pieces of the membranacious lining of the uterine wall, and some cells from the vaginal wall. Normally, we find pieces of coagulated blood (clots) only in the case of bleeding (haemorrhage) because of the presence of enzymes in the endometrium which prevent the clotting of menstrual blood.

Umm Iman : What happens after that ?

Dr Ahmad :

After the end of the menstruation period the membranacious lining of the uterus thins down to its basic layer only. As a result of the secretion of  the estrogen hormone, the upper layer of the lining is rebuilt from the cells of the basic layer. This phase is referred to as the development  phase. When the ovulation takes place and the remainder of the wall develops into the "yellow body", the blood begins to contain the progestorone hormone in addition to that of estrogen. Under the action of the progesterone hormone, the surface layer of the uterine lining develops further and so do the menstruation glands. The glycogen substance is stored in its cells.

Umm Iman :  What is the benefit of all that ? Why is all this ?

Dr Ahmad :

All this is in preparation for the reception of the fertilized ovum and its nourishment in the event that pregnancy occurs. This phase is called the phase of secretion development.

Umm Iman : What happens if pregnancy does not occur ?

Dr Ahmad :

The atrophy of the "yellow body" occurs along with a decrease in the  level of estrogen and progesterone from a certain level. This causes the  contraction of the blood vessels that nourish the surface layer, which leads to the desintegration of the surface layer cells of the endometrium membrane. They fall down into the hollow cavity of the uterus along with blood emission. These desintegrated cells exit to the outside along with blood and thereby making up the menstrual blood. With this ends a monthly period and a new one begins.

Umm Iman :  Are there any symptoms accompanying the monthly period ?

Dr Ahmad :

It is important for us to know that there are some simple symptoms which accompany the occurrence of the monthly period and which are to be considered natural, like: a slight headache, feeling of exertion, nervousness and anxiety. The period is also accompanied by a feeling of swelling. These symptoms - for the most part - disappear as soon as the monthly period bloods come down.

Umm Iman : How does pregnancy take place ?

Dr Ahmad :

The embryo's constitution starts with one cell, one half of it comes from the man and the other half from the woman. This is how this happens:

1. During sexual intercourse, the spermatozoa come out of the testis of the husband and go through the male organ to the top of the vagina, near the opening of the uterus' neck (the cervix). From this place, they  rely upon the movement of their tails to go through the hollow cavity of the cervix, then through the uterus until the ovary's duct  (Fallopian tubes).

2. If it happens that one spermatozoon encounters an ovum, the two cluster together and form the fertilized ovum which travels towards the hollow cavity of the uterus. This is the real beginning of pregnancy.