Feminine Health Life Stages

Understanding your feminine health through every stage of your life is an important part of knowing your body and how it works. From the onset of your first period to menopause, and beyond, a lot of things change in a woman's body. We are here to walk you through the different stages of women's health so that you may be empowered to take control of your health overtime.

Adolescence (Puberty)

The adolescence stage of a woman's life is signified by the onset of puberty, or the "period of life when a person's sexual organs mature and she becomes able to have children" (Merriam-Webster). For many young girls this can be both an exciting and scary time. Entering puberty means the beginning of your menstrual cycle — experiencing your period for the first time. Mayo Clinic defines the menstrual cycle as the "monthly series of changes a woman's body goes through in preparation for the possibility of pregnancy". The first period occurs between ages 10 and 15, age 12 on average (Kids Health).

During adolescence, a lot changes for a young girl, beyond just starting her period. The Cleveland Clinic notes that young girls will experience physical changes in both their primary sex characteristics (changes in the organs directly related to reproduction) and secondary sex characteristics (physiological signs of sexual maturity that do not directly involve reproductive organs). Adolescents will also experience changes in intellectual, social, and emotional development.

Reproductive

The next stage after adolescence is the reproductive stage, a time of sexual maturation. This stage occurs between a woman's teen years and late 40's. During this time, a woman has reached full physical maturity, and is experiencing regular menstrual cycles (Indiana University).

Many women experience different vaginal health related occurrences during this time. Many women experience vaginal issues due to an unbalanced vaginal pH. A healthy vaginal pH is between 3.5 and 4.5 but everyday things like your period, intimacy, and some hygiene products, can offset this balance through the introduction of blood, semen, or other substances. RepHresh™ Vaginal Gel is clinically shown to balance vaginal pH, preventing vaginal odor and relieving feminine discomfort.

During your reproductive years, you may also be busy trying to get pregnant. While some women don't experience many issues, others may find difficulty trying to conceive for a number of reasons. If you are having trouble getting pregnant, try Pre-Seed™ Fertility Friendly Lubricant, from the makers of RepHresh™ products. Developed by a doctor, Pre-Seed lubricant mimics fertile cervical fluids to support sperm on their journey. So if you are actively trying to get pregnant during your reproductive years, try Pre-Seed lubricant!

Perimenopausal

The Perimenopausal stage of a woman's life occurs around the time of her last period, usually between her mid-40s and mid-50s (Japan Medical Association Journal). During this time, women experience a lot of changes as they near the end of their reproductive years. One indicator of this stage is the drop in estrogen levels. Many women experience various symptoms during this time, including hot flashes, mood swings, weight gain, irregular periods, and vaginal dryness.

Although vaginal dryness is a common symptom of menopause, you don't have to suffer through it. Using a vaginal moisturizer, like Replens™ Long-Lasting Vaginal Moisturizer, can help provide ongoing comfort. Or to enhance intimacy, a lubricant like Replens™ Silky Smooth can help ease painful sex, making it more enjoyable. Replens™ products are brought to you by the makers of RepHresh™ products

Menopausal

Menopause is the point at which you go a year without a period, marking the official end of your reproductive years. According to Mayo Clinic, the average age of menopause in the United States is 51.

Postmenopausal

The postmenopausal stage begins at Menopause, the end of your menstrual cycle, and continues onward throughout your life. While some of the perimenopausal symptoms, such as hot flashes and irregular periods, may go away at this time, other symptoms may carry on due to continued dropping of estrogen levels. One such symptom is vaginal dryness. You may find it helpful to continue using Replens™ Vaginal Moisturizer for daily comfort and spontaneity any time.

Having a greater understanding of the various stages of feminine health throughout your lifetime is vital to monitoring and maintaining your personal health. Now, you can take control of your feminine health with the products in this blog!