By Susan Reznik (text) & Silja Elsener (illustration)
We have put together a few exciting facts and figures for you that show: your period is the most normal thing in the world and you are not alone in it. ❤️
Did you know, …
Always younger
… that the average age of women at menarche is 13? It is exciting that the first menstrual period has come earlier and earlier over the decades: you were on average 3.6 months younger at your menarche than your mother when she had her first period. And your great-great-great-grandmother was an average of 16.6 years old when she had her first period about 140 years ago. This development is mainly attributed to obesity, pollutants and social burdens in today's society.
Days turn into years
… that you spend an average of 3,500 days bleeding? This corresponds to around 10 years. Quite a long time compared to the average life expectancy of 85 years! That's why we think it's so important that you can feel as comfortable as possible during your period.
From shot to wine glass
… that it is completely normal that you lose up to 4 shot glasses of blood during your period? That's between 30 and 80 milliliters of blood. If you have the feeling that you are losing more or less blood on a regular basis, you should speak to your doctor about it.
No pattern cycle
… that for most women, the cycle length varies between 21 and 35 days? Longer cycles occur statistically more frequently than shorter ones. The notion of a 28-day model cycle probably comes from the birth control pill, which creates an artificial 28-day rhythm.
blood sisters
… that you have your period with an estimated 300 million other women at the same time? Quite a lot of blood sisters! Next time you're strolling around town, sitting on a bus, or dancing at a concert during your period, you know you're definitely not alone.