Once a month, most healthy, fertile woman will get a visit from “Aunt Flo” that brings bloating, cramping, irritation and stays for up to an uncomfortable seven days. Men cringe and shy away from discussing “the bleed,” but it is necessary for every man to know some important facts about this natural occurrence that can affect them as well. Pay attention, fellas, because I’m taking you back to sex education class!
Read the facts below and begin to understand your woman’s body better than you ever have before!
The menstrual cycle is a 28-day cycle.
It takes a total of approximately 28 days for an egg to drop from the ovary, travel down the fallopian tube into the uterus and for the lining of the uterus to shed if the egg isn’t fertilized (the shedding of the lining is the actual bleeding part). During this process, the uterine lining begins to thicken in order to support a growing fetus if an egg is fertilized by a sperm cell. During these 28 days, the body goes through a series of changes that are noticeable if you pay attention. Just realize that the menstrual cycle isn’t just the 7 days you don’t have access to your lady’s vajayjay.
The most fertile week is also the week she is the most “in the mood”.
Seven to 10 days before a woman actually sheds her uterine lining are the days when a woman is sexually aroused the most. This happens because these are the days when the egg is traveling down from the ovary and making its way to the uterus in hopes of being fertilized. In short, a woman’s is preparing to have a child, so her sexual desires become stronger. If you’re not looking to have any babies anytime soon, make sure you use a condom during these days to prevent unwanted pregnancy. However, sex during this time will be some of the best sex you will have because her mind and body will be prepared to receive you!
PMS is REAL.
Bloating, cramping, irritability, fatigue, mood swings, loss of sexual desire, food cravings and anger are just a few symptoms of PMS. Premenstrual Syndrome occurs 14 days after the first day of a woman’s last menstrual period and ends one to two days after the menstrual period begins. During this time, women may take out their frustrations on any moving thing around them and switch in and out of emotions faster than a car switching gears in an automatic transmission. I encourage any man during this time to lay low and be sensitive to the needs of their partner. Be understanding of how hormonal imbalances during the menstrual cycle can affect her emotions.
Cramps hurt!
You may think a woman is overreacting when you see her slumped over in pain or curled up in a fetal position with a heating pad during her period, but you have to understand that this pain is some of the most uncomfortable in the world! When the uterus is shedding its lining, it contracts in order to expel the unwanted lining from the body, causing a dull, throbbing, cramping pain that can radiate through the lower abdomen, lower back and thighs. This pain is extremely annoying and can put some women in the emergency room if it becomes too severe. So the next time your partner screams for a heating pad and some ibuprofen, you better be sensitive to her requests and get that woman what she wants!
Women look more voluptuous right before the egg releases.
When a woman is ready to conceive a child, the body naturally sends signals out to the opposite sex to let men know that she is ripe and ready to procreate. During the ovulation period, a woman becomes bloated in the areas associated with sexual arousal. Her breasts become bloated and look more round and full, her hips and buttocks look thicker and her vagina is more lubricated. All of these things are tools the body uses to lure a mate to a woman…and they work very often! Pay attention to your partner and notice when her breasts look a little larger than usual. If you are trying to conceive and have a baby, then this is the best time to get it in!
For more men’s health articles, visit the BlackDoctor.org Healthy Living – Mens Health center.