THE REPRODUCTIVE CYCLE - INTRODUCTION
By their early teens, when menstruation has become the norm, most girls are looking for their periods and are relieved when it arrives. Earlier than that—and certainly much later—it can be upsetting. People generally don't like to be different, and young girls are no exception. But within a fairly broad age range, from about 10 to 16, menarche (the onset of menstruation) is normal. Before age 10 is generally considered early puberty; after age 16, late (often called "primary amenorrhea"—meaning primary lack of menstruation).
It's useful to understand the hormonal basis of menstruation for several reasons. First, the more you know about the normal workings of your body, the more you'll understand if any of those processes breaks down. Second, when it comes to treating menstrual problems and understanding menopause (the cessation of menstruation), you'll have a much better idea of what's happening in your body.
For starters, menstruation comes about by an interaction between parts of your brain and parts of your reproductive anatomy. Here's a simple version of what's going on: Your hypothalamus, in your brain, gives a chemical signal to your pituitary gland to get the process rolling. Your pituitary in turn produces something called FSH—follicle simulating hormone—the signal to the follicles, the shells that contain your eggs, to start making the hormone estrogen.
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General health
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