Red Cell Regeneration During the Menstrual Cycle

In the human female the process of menstruation is accompanied by a train of phenomena of which the uterine changes are only a part. Thus, pain and nervous and congestive reactions may at times become very pronounced. These various activities of the organism usually increase in intensity a few days before the menstrual flow begins, to diminish again toward the close of the period. A second lesser maximum may occur a few days after the flow has ceased. Naturally, much attention has been centered on the changes in the peripheral blood and blood-forming organs during menstruation, but the reports have been somewhat confusing. The quantity of blood lost during a normal period is also a subject of considerable discussion. Kelly¹stated that the amount is from 60 to 240 cc.; Crossen²gave it as from 150 to 300 cc., and Howell,³from 100 to 200 cc., while