Dealing with Menstruation Problems Everyday Health MenuNewslettersSearch Women's Health Dealing with Menstruation Problems By Dr. Orli EtinginReviewed: May 20, 2008Fact-CheckedQ1. I often feel weak and drained (even my legs feel weak) during menstruation. There are days when I just want to stay in bed, and I am without energy for the full six days of my period. Why is this? Should I be worried? Is there anything I can do? — Kimberley, Virginia Weakness during menstruation is usually caused by dehydration, due to the loss of fluid and blood that occur during your period. This is probably not worrisome, though. The best way to counteract menstrual-linked weakness is to drink plenty of fluids, especially those containing electrolytes, such as Gatorade, Powerade, or other sports drinks. Water is also a good way to stay hydrated during your period. In addition, be sure to eat healthfully, and don't go for long stretches without having a snack or small meal. Eating properly during your period can help prevent hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), thereby preventing any additional weakness. Dehydration is the more important issue, though. Q2. I started my period early in childhood (I was 11 years old). How likely is it that my girls will start early as well? — Becky, Oregon The short answer to your question is that the age at which a woman starts her period is not inherited. Here's some background: Menarche, or the age of the first menstrual period, has become progressively younger in the past century. In fact, some claims report a decline of two to two-and-a-half years from about 1900 to the 1960s, but the most reliable North American surveys indicate just a two- to three-month decline from the mid-1970s to the mid-1990s; today, the average age in the United States is 12.6 years old. There are both genetic and environmental factors at play here. In general, a girl's weight and body-fat percentage are the most precise determinants of when she will begin having periods. This is due to the fact that estrogen levels are stored in fat, so once a girl reaches a certain weight and height, her rising hormone levels trigger menstruation. If your daughters have the same body size and shape that you did at 11 years old, they may start menstruating then, but age alone is not the determinant. Experts hypothesize that today's girls reach menarche earlier because their diets contain more fat, and thus they weigh more than their counterparts did in the early 1900s. Some researchers point to the increased incidence of childhood obesity, as attaining a weight of 100 pounds appears to be a trigger for very young girls reaching menarche. Other theories include environmental exposure to chemicals that mimic the effects of estrogen and also the impact of the sexualization of our society. Q3. I am about to get married next week. I have had my period for three weeks now. Everyone is saying that stress is the reason my menstruation has lasted this long. Could this be true? I actually have been pretty calm throughout the process. – De De, Illinois De De, first, congratulations on your marriage. And yes, stress — even at a level that you may not perceive — can be responsible for altering your hormone levels enough to disrupt your periods. But there are other things that can cause you to have your period for three weeks, like uterine polyps, ovarian cysts, or a systemic illness. Most women between 20 and 45 will have an occasional abnormal period every few years. That's one reason it's important to be evaluated regularly by your gynecologist, who will do a pelvic exam, or even a sonogram (ultrasound imaging) to look at the ovaries and uterus (depending on your age) to make sure everything's okay. In your case, if your next period is normal, treatment is probably unnecessary. However, if your current period continues beyond four weeks, I suggest you contact your doctor who may want to treat you with a low dose of hormones to regulate the menstrual cycle. RELATED: The United States of Stress Learn more in the Everyday Health Women's Health Center. NEWSLETTERS Sign up for our Women' s Health Newsletter SubscribeBy subscribing you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. The Latest in Women' s Health Women s Health Worsened in 2021 as Many Women Lack Access to Health Screenings and Preventive Care New global report shows that despite heavy spending, the United States lags behind other wealthy countries.By Becky UphamSeptember 27, 2022 Is This the End of Roe v Wade What Would a SCOTUS Decision Mean for Reproductive Health A draft opinion from the U.S. Supreme Court strikes down the federal right to abortion guaranteed by the 1973 decision in Roe v. 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