Allen Kilewella
JF-Expert Member
- Sep 30, 2011
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- #81
Do Pigs Have Periods and Bleed?
by Mark Earle | Pig FactsIt’s important to understand a pig’s reproductive cycle and find out whether they have periods too if you want to prepare yourself for possible bloody surprises.
Do Pigs Have Periods and Bleed?Pigs do not have menstrual cycles, but they go through estrus cycles, which is quite similar to menstruation. This is more commonly referred to as a period when a female pig is “in heat”. This happens for 3 to 5 days every 21 days and can start as early as the pig’s 12th week.
How is an estrous cycle different from a menstrual cycle?
For one, those that have menstrual cycles (like humans) can be sexually active anytime. Those with estrous cycles, however, will only be sexually active during the estrus cycle.
Also, during a menstrual cycle, the endometrium (or that mucous membrane that lines up the uterus) is shed. This turns into the blood discharged by the female during the cycle.
But for pigs, their endometrium is reabsorbed by their system if the pig does not become pregnant while they are in heat.
Accumen Mo