what is periods in females

Menstruation, often called a "period," is a natural process that occurs in females. It is the monthly shedding of the lining of the uterus, which is also known as the womb. Menstrual blood and tissue flow from the uterus through the small opening in the cervix and pass out of the body through the vagina. The menstrual cycle is the monthly hormonal cycle a female’s body goes through to prepare for pregnancy. The cycle is counted from the first day of the period up to the first day of the next period. Hormones, such as estrogen and progesterone, usually change throughout the menstrual cycle and can cause menstrual symptoms. The average length of a menstrual cycle is 28 days, but it can range from 21 to 35 days and still be normal. Most women have regular periods until perimenopause, the time when the body begins to change to menopause. Perimenopause may take a few years, and during this time, periods may not come regularly. Menopause happens when a woman has not had a period for 12 months in a row, and for most women, this happens between the ages of 45 and 55.