This is Lilly, also known as Superwoman on YouTube.
And as a member of the female sex, she experiences her period on a monthly basis.
You see, the first time I got my period, I had no idea what was going on.
I walked into the washroom, tra la la la la, took down my underwear and I was like "What
is this?"
Because I never got "the talk," so I was so concerned.
My mind was racing.
"Did I fall off my bike earlier today?"
I had no idea what was going on.
I'm pretty sure most girls go through that denial phase where you hate it, but you can't
look away, so I was just like "I'm dying.
I'm dying."
What you may or may not realize is that every single time a woman has her period, it's because
her body was preparing to get pregnant and have a child.
You know, the act that perpetuates our entire species?
Yes.
Every single month the female body goes through an incredibly complex and fascinating transformation
called the menstrual cycle.
It all starts in the ovaries, which each contain over 100,000 eggs.
Once a month, one egg will release, which spends roughly three days making its way to
the uterus and while it's making its way there, the uterus begins to create a lining, which
is rich in nutrients and everything essential to begin life.
Under the right circumstances, sperm will fertilize the egg and begin pregnancy in the
womb.
Before this, however, female ovaries increase production of the hormones estrogen and progesterone
and these hormones promote and maintain the special lining of the uterus.
But the hormones also enter the bloodstream and travel throughout the body including your
brain.
It's here that estrogen and progesterone are thought to interfere with other chemical messengers
in the brain, called neurotransmitters.
And this can lead to the notorious premenstrual syndrome, or PMS in women.
More like "period my sucks"...
Science.
So there's a whole bunch of chemicals in my brain and they're all out of whack, messing
with the mind every single month.
I mean, science is messing with my conscious.
I'm irritable and anxious and I haven't even started my period yet.
Which brings up an important point: PMS is not the same thing as your period, which is
perhaps one of the biggest myths out there.
It actually happens 7-14 days before a girl even shows signs of bleeding.
This is because estrogen and progesterone levels peak during the creation of the uterine
lining.
Roughly 50-80% of women have experienced some degree of physical or psychological PMS symptoms,
but many aren't even aware that PMS can occur so much earlier than the period as contemporary
culture perpetuates the myth that it's menstruation (or the period itself) that causes these hormonal
changes.
PMS can manifest itself as psychological symptoms such as mood changes.
I hate you so much, but you're kind of cute at the same time, but I want to kill you.
Anger.
Crying.
Irritability.
It's fine.
Or as physical symptoms such as upset stomach, difficulty sleeping, nausea.
One woman's PMS is not like the other, which is why health professionals have trouble finding
a clear understanding of how it all works.
Other physical changes take place as well.
The amygdala in the brain, which controls emotion increases its activity.
We also see lower levels of the feel good chemical serotonin and the neurotransmitter
gaba which has anti-anxiety effects, meaning stress and anxiety run high.
Oh, okay, so, you're wondering why I feel this way when all this stuff is happening
in my body?
Because I can become a hot mess and I cannot control it.
It's like I want to make out with you, but I also don't want you to touch me.
Because like you're good looking and stuff, but I also hate you.
And I want lots of chocolate.
And here I am thinking that maybe I'm just having a bad day or I'm being crazy because
it's not happening at the same time as my period.
But no, it could have just been PMS.
But when menstruation (or the period) begins, these hormone levels drop sharply.
After no fertilization occurs, estrogen and progesterone levels drop and the body realizes
it just ain't happening.
As a result, it begins to literally shed the layer it had created for a potential fetus.
And this shedding of the membrane and mucus has nowhere to go but out, which, of course,
has its pitfalls as well.
But this is when the really fun part starts.
Because although there's not the same amount of hormones raging around in my brain, now
I get to push an unused membrane of mucus and blood out of my system.
It's honestly a lot of fun, because it causes cramping and bloating and the wonderful condition
of wanting to poop but not being able to.
Of course, when it ends, the cycle gets to start all over again, a cycle which is essential
for the perpetuation of our species.
So if I'm having an off day, dude, just know, I'm doing it for humanity.
Because there's only a few consistent cycles in the universe.
The sun rises and sets.
Tides come in and out.
And my menstruation.
So appreciate.
That's right.
Women are awesome, okay?
We'll be here signing autographs all night.
Seriously.
Without the persistent nature of the menstruation cycle, our very existence as a species would
be completely altered.
So while changes in mood may be a byproduct of this incredible event, we wager it's all
worth it.
So thank you women, for being strong enough to put up with PMS and menstruation.
We owe you for this one.
Be sure to check out the amazing Lilly's YouTube channel iiSuperwomanii, for more hilarious
videos.
Seriously, she is one of the funniest people on YouTube.
We'll put a link in the description below.
And subscribe for more weekly science videos!
No but for real though, like, you can get pretty crazy when you're on your period.
If you don't believe me, this is actually a self-portrait I did while I was on my period.
Nice.