How Long Does your Period Last? Dr. Burns and Jonna Piira

How Long Does your Period Last?

Watch Jonna Piira, the CEO of Kali, interview Dr. Christina Burns, the Founder of Naturna Institute, about the length of a woman’s period. It’s important to educate ourselves on our bodies and the reason why we menstruate.

Jonna. Question: How long does your period last? Why?

Dr. Christina Burns. Answer: It varies from woman to woman, but the average period is about 4-6 days.

Jonna. Question: Why do women have our periods?

Dr. Christina Burns. Answer: The cycle is designed for procreation. You begin the cycle building up estrogen to release an egg, a surge of luteinizing hormone helps to shoot it out of the ovary and down the fallopian tube. Once it’s in transit, it has the opportunity to meet the sperm and fertilize. At this time, the empty sac (follicle) that released the egg starts excreting progesterone. Progesterone thickens the lining. The fertilized egg or "embryo" travels down to the uterus to burrow into the uterine wall. If this takes place, then the body signals to keep producing progesterone to feed the baby and keep the uterine lining in tact. If no implantation takes place, the hormones drop off and shedding occurs. Hence, the period and so it begins again with the estrogen to build the egg.

Jonna. Question: What happens to your body when you have your period?

Dr. Christina Burns. Answer: You have a sharp decline in the hormones estrogen and progesterone. These hormones keep the lining of your uterus intact. When they drop off, you shed. The rest of your cycle is spent building the lining up.

Jonna. Question: Does your menstrual cycle change as you age or does it stay the same? Dr. Christina Burns. Answer: For many women it become lighter in their 30s and onward. You'll have some women who suffer from the opposite - heavy, extended bleeding.

Jonna. Question: Is there anything we can do to shorten our period?

Dr. Christina Burns. Answer: If you are talking about a period that is abnormally heavy and long, then we have to address the hormonal imbalance that is causing it. Generally, acupuncture and herbs can treat this fairly quickly. If you are having a drawn out period, then go see the acupuncturist to "turn it off". You don't want to loose too much blood and find yourself depleted or anemic.

[kamranraja]

I started my period on a tuesday and i still had it on wednesday thurday and friday i had it for four days so when will i finish my period