Menstruation Facts: 7 Surprising Things About Periods

Menstruation can be a nuisance to some women. It can also be a source of pain and discomfort. Sometimes, women also blame their mood swings to their period.

The truth is: menstruation is an important and natural part of growing up for females. Huffington Post gathered a list of other menstruation facts to help women become more well-informed about their monthly period.

1. Women can get pregnant during their period. Although it is highly unlikely, it is still possible. Therefore, using effective birth control methods is always recommended for sexually active women.

2. Women are most fertile during ovulation period. This involves the release of an egg from an ovary. There are many apps that can help calculate a woman's ovulation period.

3. Irregular menstrual periods can be caused by different things such as severe weight loss and pregnancy. It can also mean severe illnesses like uterine cancer. Consulting a doctor about your irregular period is advised.

4. Many women complain that they experience heavy flow of blood during their periods. But the truth is that the average blood release during menstrual period amounts to just less than one cup.

5. Women might be more easily aroused during their periods. This is due to low levels of progesterone during menstruation. Progesterone is a hormone known to lower the levels of libido.

6. Menstruation is considered as taboo in some locations. "While pre-teen girls in America may have to endure teasing from their less-than-understanding male classmates, in places like rural India girls are told not to cook food lest it be polluted, not to touch idols lest they be defiled and not to handle pickles because they will go rotten," the article shared.

7. One of the most surprising menstruation facts is that the average age nowadays in the U.S. for a girl's first period is 12-years-old. Some theories say that girls are hitting puberty at a younger age than before because of greater exposure to environmental pollution and being overweight, according to Newsweek.