Who else experienced that class hour at school when boys left for another classroom to give girls privacy to discuss menstruation? However, this method of teaching often made men uncomfortable talking openly about menstruation, and many also lacked basic knowledge about what happens in a woman's body during menstruation, pregnancy, or menopause. That's why we've put together seven important facts that every partner, friend, brother, father, and colleague should know so that menstruation is not just a big unknown for them.
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Menstrual Cycle from the Ground Up
The menstrual cycle isn't just about that one week of bleeding a month. It's a natural process of hormonal changes, with a single goal in each cycle – to prepare the body for potential pregnancy.
Under the influence of hormones, the ovaries allow follicles to mature – small sacs containing eggs, one of which can be fertilized by sperm at the right moment. At the same time, the uterine lining thickens, ready for a fertilized egg to implant. If fertilization doesn't occur, the developed uterine lining sheds and, along with blood, exits the body through the vagina. The whole process then starts anew.
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We don't always know for sure when menstruation will come.
The menstrual cycle does not last exactly one calendar month or 28 days, as is often said. The length of the cycle can vary not only among individual women but also from month to month. A healthy cycle, however, usually ranges from 21 to 35 days.
Therefore, it's not always possible to predict with certainty when menstruation will start. Even a woman who has a good overview of her cycle, uses an app, or keeps notes, can sometimes be surprised by the onset of menstruation. Although various signs usually appear a few days to a week beforehand, such as mood swings, breast sensitivity or pain, poorer skin, fatigue, or sleep problems, not all women experience these symptoms. Every body reacts differently, and therefore the course and timing of menstruation are very individual.
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Timing can increase chances of pregnancy
It is not possible to get pregnant from every unprotected sexual intercourse. The union of sperm and a mature egg can only occur during a short fertile window, which lasts only a few days in each cycle. The highest probability of pregnancy occurs during ovulation, meaning the moment a mature egg is released from the ovary. It lasts only about 12 to 24 hours, but the chance of conception is not limited to this moment alone. Sperm can survive in a woman's body for several days after unprotected sexual intercourse and "wait" for the egg to be released.
Therefore, the so-called fertile window is calculated to be roughly five days before ovulation, the day of ovulation itself, and one day after – this is when the probability of conception is highest.
Can I get pregnant from…? Myths, facts, and what every woman should know about her cycle
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Female and male bodies function differently
Although the primary function of the reproductive system is reproduction, its influence extends far beyond that. It affects not only our sex organs and hormones but also our energy, mood, sleep, immunity, digestion, and how we react to stress or pain. The hormonal processes that occur in the body every day thus affect not only women's but also men's health. However, the female organism remained largely unexplored in medicine for a long time.
As late as 1993, it was not mandatory to include women in clinical trials. For decades, scientists considered the male body to be the "norm" and the female body to be a more complex deviation that could "distort" research results. The consequence is that to this day, we know less about women's health and bodily function than we should, and that many drugs and treatment procedures were developed primarily with the male organism in mind. (1) But the female body works differently in many respects. Biological and hormonal differences affect not only how various diseases manifest in women but also how their bodies react to pain medications, for example. (2)
Pain medications are not as effective for women. Find out why.
Hormonal differences between male and female bodies affect us almost every day. In men, testosterone levels fluctuate throughout the day – they are highest in the morning and gradually decrease – but these changes are relatively mild and occur over a short period. In women, however, the levels of the main hormones, estrogen and progesterone, change approximately over the course of a month, and much more significantly. These changes then affect the entire body, from energy and mood to immunity and performance. Therefore, it is completely natural for a woman to have more energy, a better mood, and a greater desire for movement or intimacy on certain days of her cycle, while at other times (especially before menstruation) she may be more tired, sensitive, or susceptible to illness and injury.
Mood swings aren't the end of it...
Menstruation and the period leading up to it are often associated not only with mood swings or lower abdominal pain, but also with a number of other physical and psychological symptoms. This is not just about short-term discomfort that can be easily "slept off" or ignored – menstruation genuinely affects the daily lives of many women.
A recent Femvie study shows that up to 80% of women experience menstrual problems to some extent. The most common include fatigue, mood swings, lower abdominal cramps, breast pain, and impaired concentration. These symptoms can often directly impact daily life, including work productivity.
Pain during menstruation can be so intense in some women that it disrupts normal functioning. One typical example is endometriosis, a disease characterized by chronic pelvic pain, among other symptoms, affecting about one in ten women worldwide. Endometriosis is therefore very common and likely affects women around you, but it often remains overlooked. And yet it is among the twenty most painful conditions ever. (3, 4)
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Tampons, pads, and everything around
Now for a bit of a practical perspective. Today, there are many different types of menstrual products available on the market – from pads and tampons, to menstrual underwear and cups, even menstrual sponges. Every woman finds something different that suits her. Some prefer pads, for example, at night or for heavy menstruation, while others prefer tampons because they hardly notice them and can exercise or swim with them. Many women combine multiple products as needed.
Some women also use small panty liners all month long, either as a backup against leaks due to an irregular cycle, during the first or last days of menstruation, or simply for an everyday feeling of cleanliness and comfort.
Femvie's final tip: if you don't live with your partner, make sure she always finds a supply of the menstrual products she uses at your place – pads, tampons, or other aids. As you know, menstruation can sometimes arrive completely unexpectedly. And rushing to the nearest store for pads at the last minute isn't the most pleasant experience. 
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It's not always about hormones.
Hormonal fluctuations during the cycle can also affect a woman's mood. However, not every negative or strong emotion is automatically related to hormonal changes, nor should you assume it is. If your partner, friend, daughter, or colleague is angry or sad, do not blame her feelings on impending menstruation and do not overlook them. Anything she is going through deserves respect, whether she is menstruating or not.
What else to read on Femspace?
- Menstruation as a health indicator: An interview with Adéla about cycle, diet, and support at school and work
- 8 myths and stereotypes about menstruation
- Do hormones and the cycle affect how we experience pain?
- 5-minute massage for menstrual pain relief
- What do menstrual products contain and why does what you put in your body matter?
- Rash from pads: What causes it and how to avoid it
- Implantation bleeding or menstruation?
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Femvie products that can help you
We have selected products that relate to this topic and can support your health:
- 🌿 BIO pads — certified organic pads without chemicals
- 🌿 BIO tampons — organic tampons made from certified organic cotton
- 🌿 Ultra-thin BIO panty liners — discreet protection for every day
- 📦 Carefree subscription — your BIO menstrual products automatically every month
- 🎁 Trial pack — try Femvie BIO menstrual products
Frequently Asked Questions
What are BIO menstrual products?
BIO menstrual products are made from certified organic cotton without pesticides, plastics, or bleaching chemicals. GOTS certification guarantees ecological processing from farm to product.
Are BIO tampons safer than conventional ones?
Yes. Conventional tampons may contain trace amounts of pesticides and synthetic fibers. Femvie BIO tampons are certified, hypoallergenic, and gentler on intimate areas.
How does Femvie's subscription work?
With the Carefree Subscription, you set the delivery frequency, and your favorite BIO products arrive automatically. You save time and never run out of menstrual products.
