Answer
As a woman, your period is your body's way of releasing tissue that it no longer needs. Every month, your body prepares for pregnancy. The lining of your uterus gets thicker as preparation for nurturing a fertilized egg. An egg is released and is ready to be fertilized and settle in the lining of your uterus.
•Additional Comment
Are periods necessary?
- Today, any doctor will tell you there is no medical necessity for periods unless you're trying to conceive. The body preps for pregnancy by thickening the uterus's lining, like a bird building a nest for her eggs; hormonal birth control prevents pregnancy, in part, by keeping the uterine lining from ever building up.
What are the advantages of periods?
- You can think of your period as your body's monthly health check-in! The hormones your body produces over the course of your monthly cycle come with their own non-reproductive health benefits. Women have a lower risk of heart disease and strokes before menopause because of estrogen!
