From this day forward, their hormone levels fluctuate, affecting their body, brain, and behavior, a phenomenon known as the menstrual cycle.

從這一天開始，她們的荷爾蒙水準就會波動，影響她們的身體、大腦和行為，這種現象被稱為月經週期。

The menstrual cycle is divided into four phases.

月經週期分為四個階段。

Menstruation, follicular phase, ovulation with a fertile window, and the luteal phase.

月經期、卵泡期、排卵期和黃體期。

The length of the cycle is, on average, 28 days, however, for most women, it ranges somewhere between 22 and 35 days and can be regular or not.

月經週期平均為 28 天，但大多數女性的月經週期在 22 到 35 天之間，有規律或無規律之分。

Since menstruation is a consequence of changes that happen before it, we will start our story with the follicular phase.

由於月經是月經前變化的結果，我們將從卵泡期開始講述。

During the follicular phase, the hormone estrogen increases steadily, and Leah starts to feel happy, is physically stronger, and is generally on top form.

在卵泡期，荷爾蒙雌激素穩步上升，莉婭開始感到快樂，身體變得強壯，狀態普遍處於最佳。

Inside her body, her uterus lining starts to thicken, and in the ovaries, her follicles mature.

在她的體內，子宮內膜開始增厚，卵巢中的卵泡開始成熟。

Inside one of them is a tiny cell that's about to become an egg.

其中一個細胞內有一個即將變成卵子的小細胞。

At the end of this phase, Leah notices a change in her discharge.

在這一階段結束時，莉亞發現自己的分泌物發生了變化。

During ovulation, the ovary releases the egg, which makes its way towards the uterus and then implants itself inside the lining.

在排卵期間，卵巢會排出卵子，卵子會進入子宮，然後植入子宮內膜。

For about five days, Leah could potentially get pregnant.

在大約五天的時間裡，莉婭有可能懷孕。

The high levels of estrogen make Leah more interested in boys than she used to be, which is why she's more conscious about her appearance.

高水平的雌激素讓莉亞比以前更喜歡男孩，這就是為什麼她更注重自己的外表。

Her senses are heightened, and she hears, sees, tastes, and smells more acutely.

她的感官更加敏銳，聽覺、視覺、味覺和嗅覺都更加靈敏。

In the luteal phase, her body temperature rises slightly, Leah has more sensitive, swollen breasts, and occasional joint pain, which makes skateboarding harder.

在黃體期，她的體溫會略微升高，莉婭的乳房會變得更加敏感和腫脹，偶爾還會出現關節疼痛，這使得滑板運動變得更加困難。

Like just about every other woman, Leah can now experience premenstrual syndrome.

和其他女性一樣，莉婭現在也會出現經前綜合徵。

If it's bad, she wants to be alone, feels moody, and can have thoughts that keep her up at night.

如果情況不好，她就會想一個人待著，情緒低落，還會有一些讓她徹夜難眠的想法。

If there is no pregnancy, Leah's uterus sheds her thickened lining.

如果沒有懷孕，莉婭的子宮就會排出增厚的內膜。

As a result, she experiences bleeding and often painful cramps, this marks the first day of menstruation.

是以，她會經歷出血和經常性的痛經，這標誌著月經的第一天。

Leah is now exhausted, she has trouble concentrating, is not motivated, and can't do sports, which annoys her a lot.

Leah 現在精疲力竭，注意力不集中，沒有動力，也不能做運動，這讓她非常苦惱。

But soon after, she starts feeling better and the cycle continues.

但沒過多久，她又開始感覺好些了，如此循環往復。

Every young woman experiences a different version of the menstrual cycle with periods ranging from little to no discomfort to heavy bleeding and intense pain.

每個年輕女性都會經歷不同的月經週期，從幾乎沒有不適到大量出血和劇烈疼痛。

And about one in ten girls will have to deal with what's known as endometriosis.

而大約十分之一的女孩將不得不面對所謂的子宮內膜異位症。

Endometriosis is a condition where tissue grows outside the uterus, this can lead to severe and lasting pain during their menses, intercourse, or on the toilet, and eventually, it can even lead to infertility.

子宮內膜異位症是一種組織長在子宮外的疾病，會導致經期、性交或如廁時劇烈而持久的疼痛，最終甚至會導致不孕。

What do you think, how does the menstrual cycle influence your life or the life of your partner or friend?

您認為月經週期對您或您伴侶或朋友的生活有什麼影響？

And how can society support women and girls who experience regular periods of pain and fatigue?

社會又該如何為經常感到疼痛和疲勞的婦女和女孩提供支持？

Share your thoughts in the comments below.

在下面的評論中分享您的想法。

If you like this video and want us to make more, subscribe to our channel or support us on Patreon.

如果您喜歡這段視頻並希望我們製作更多視頻，請訂閱我們的頻道或在 Patreon 上支持我們。