Women's reproductive life stages

Women go through reproductive changes in their lives, and should be prepared for what happens at the different stages.

The stages over a woman's life

There are three main stages in a woman's reproductive life.

These are: (1) before periods start; (2) having periods, which is when it is possible to get pregnant; and (3) after the menopause, when periods have stopped.

Before periods start, the body is changing and growing and getting ready for the next stage.

Puberty or starting periods

Puberty usually starts between the ages of 10 and 14 years.

It is the time when breasts get bigger, and hair grows in the armpits and around the genitals (between the legs).

Periods start at this time. Each month, an egg comes out of the ovary and the lining of the womb thickens because of normal changes in hormones. Later in the cycle, the lining comes away leading to bleeding from the vagina, which is a period.

This is the beginning of your reproductive stage and means you can get pregnant if you have vaginal sex.

If you have not started to have monthly bleeds by the age of 16 years, you should speak to a healthcare professional.

Periods or menstrual bleeds

Periods should usually last between 3 and 7 days and come once a month, but this can be different for different women.

Some women may have heavy, painful periods. You can take pain relief to help with this, but if the pain stops you from going to school or work, you should speak to your healthcare worker.

Period or menstrual blood is not unclean. You do not need to wash more or clean the inside of your vagina.

You will need to use sanitary products such as cloths, pads, cups or tampons to help soak up the blood that you lose with a period.

If you use a tampon to help with the bleeding, make sure you change it every 4 to 6 hours.

If you get bleeding in between your periods or after sex it is important to speak to your healthcare worker.

Contraception or family planning

You need to use contraception (family planning) if you are having sex and you do not want to get pregnant.

Pregnancy happens when a man's sperm and woman's egg join together. The sperm comes out from the man's penis and travels up the vagina, usually through vaginal sex.

There are lots of options for contraception and some types are better at stopping pregnancy than others. This is because they can be fitted (intrauterine device or implant in your arm) or injected (contraceptive injection) and so you don't have to remember to take them. When these types of contraception are taken out of your body, their effect runs out and your ability to have a baby will come back very quickly.

Only female condoms or male condoms can stop you from getting a sexually transmitted infection, including HIV.

Planning for a pregnancy

If you would like to get pregnant, planning is important. This is safer for you and your baby.

You may know that you are pregnant if you miss a monthly bleed if you aren't using contraception. A urine test can be used to check.

Before you start to try for a baby it is good for you to take folic acid for 3 months, this will help with the development of your baby's brain. Vitamin D can also be taken to help your body once you are pregnant. It is important to have a healthy lifestyle and make sure you are healthy. It is also important to check that you are up-to-date with your vaccinations, such as rubella, and to check you have had your cervical screening test.

Fertility

Most people having vaginal sex a few times a week will get pregnant in the first year or two of not using contraception. If you have been trying to have a baby and are not pregnant after a year of trying, speak to your healthcare worker. Those couples struggling to get pregnant may have fertility issues.

Sometimes, a pregnancy may not continue. This is called a miscarriage. Signs of a miscarriage are cramping, pain and bleeding. You must speak to your healthcare worker if you get any of these signs and you are pregnant. Baby loss or having a miscarriage can be a really difficult time and your healthcare worker may be able to offer you support, if you would like this.

Being pregnant when you don't want to be

Some women don't want to be pregnant, and being pregnant when you don't want to be can be very difficult for some women.

It is important that, if you don't want to continue a pregnancy and have a baby, you ask for advice and care from a trained healthcare worker if you would like to end the pregnancy.

Having a safe termination will not affect your ability to get pregnant in the future.

Contraception after a baby

You can get pregnant from about 3 weeks after having a baby.

By spreading out the time between pregnancies, it allows your body to recover and heal, and lets you enjoy your time with your baby.

Contraception can be used to help you delay getting pregnant. Some methods of contraception can't be used just after you have a baby but most methods can.

If you start contraception less than 21 days after having a baby or 5 days after a miscarriage or abortion, it will work straight away.

Menopause

Menopause is the end of the reproductive stage. The hormones change and the egg is not released and so periods stop. This usually happens between the ages of 45 and 55. If your periods stop earlier than this, and you are not using a type of contraception that causes periods to stop, speak to your healthcare worker.

Menopause and helping with symptoms

Every woman will go through the menopause. When you start the menopause, eating well and exercising regularly can help with symptoms. Symptoms of menopause are varied but some common ones are: hot flushes, sweats at night, feeling anxious and having low mood.

These symptoms happen because of lower hormone (estrogen) levels, and some women may need to take replacement estrogen to feel better.

If you take replacement hormones and notice bleeding you should speak to your healthcare worker.

If you have a bleed more than 12 months after your last period without taking replacement hormones, it is also important to speak to your healthcare worker.

Vaccinations in women's health

Women may be offered a human papilloma virus (HPV) vaccination from the age of 9 years.

The HPV vaccination can lower your risk of getting cancer of the cervix (neck of the womb) in the future.

Cervical checks

You may be offered a test to check the health of your cervix, even if you have had the HPV vaccine.

This is called cervical screening and can help to see early changes before cancer of the cervix may develop.

Signs of cervical cancer can be: bleeding after sex, bleeding in between periods, pain during sex, pain in your lower back, and/or pain between your hip bones (pelvis) or in your lower tummy. However, it is important to bear in mind that these can also be caused by other conditions. If you are worried about any of these symptoms, please speak to your healthcare worker.

Checking your breasts

It is important to know what is normal for all parts of your body, especially your breasts. Once a month, have a look and feel of your breasts. It is usually best to do this once your monthly bleed has stopped.

Getting to know what is normal for you, may mean that you notice any changes earlier.

If you feel a new lump, any fluid leaking from your nipple, or if your nipple starts to change in other ways, speak to your healthcare worker.