During the elementary education years, school education teaches us the functions of the human body and its various systems, but menstrual education still remains to be one of the most overlooked elements of the textbooks that are skipped due to shame or ignorance.

Just like how we have two eyes, two lungs, two kidneys, and two ears, all females have two ovaries in their reproductive system. Every girl is born with ten to twenty lakhs immature eggs in her ovaries. A woman’s body doesn’t create eggs; they already exist in the ovaries from birth.

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However, by the time when a woman reaches puberty, only three lakh eggs remain. When a girl hits puberty, each month, just one mature egg is released from the ovaries and this process is called OVULATION. If this mature egg meets sperm and gets fertilized, the uterus starts preparing itself for the pregnancy with a thick fluid lining to support the anticipated embryo.

On the other hand, when the egg isn’t fertilized the uterus sheds the lining, which we know as MENSTRUATION.

The abnormalities

Now in some females, the egg doesn’t mature. Instead, a number of immature eggs become cysts (that are certainly harmless). Women who have the presence of multiple small cysts in their ovaries suffer from Polycystic Ovary Syndrome or PCOD.

Sometimes PCOD can result in many irregularities like enlarging the ovaries. Besides, as the egg doesn’t mature before release, women usually miss the period, and hence, women with PCOD often complain about having irregular periods or periods that don’t stop. Note that PCOD is a very common condition that affects about 5-10% of women in the age group of 12-45 years, so you aren’t suffering from the plight alone.

Then there is PCOS…

PCOS or the Polycystic Ovary Syndrome is a condition where the ovaries produce an absurdly abnormal amount of male sex hormones (androgens) that must be ideally present in humans in small amounts. The Polycystic Ovary etymology comes from numerous small cysts or the fluid-filled sacs that are formed in the ovaries due to the aforementioned condition.

While PCOS and PCOD aren’t fatal or brutally harmful for the body, other forms of disorders like CERVICAL CANCER can certainly be life-threatening disorders for the female body…

In fact, sometimes cervical cancer can mimic menstrual bleeding where the patient may notice a heavier or longer menstrual cycle than usual. Females suffering from cervical cancer usually experience spotting or bleeding between their periods. So, any bleeding that seems different in any way should be reported to the doctor immediately.

The bottom line

Besides the unpredictable hormonal behavior, and irregularities in the menstrual cycle, PCOS and PCOD can also trigger infertility, acne, diabetes, excessive hair growth, etc.

Read Also: How to use a menstrual cup for beginners

The worst part is that though both are fairly common disorders, they have no exact cure. But, one can always inculcate some lifestyle changes to make their condition better. Shecup honors women who manage to keep their heads high in society and function normally despite all these factors. You go, girl!