Introduction
Every month between puberty and menopause, a woman’s body goes through a number of changes to get it ready for a possible pregnancy. This series of hormone-driven events is called the menstrual cycle. During each menstrual cycle, an egg develops and is released from the ovaries. The lining of the uterus builds up. If a pregnancy doesn’t happen, the uterine lining sheds during a menstrual period. Then the cycle starts again.
Phases of a woman’s cycle?
There are four phases in a woman’s cycle and the length of each phase can differ from woman to woman. It is also a subject to change over time.
Menstrual phase
The menstrual phase is the first stage of the menstrual cycle. It’s also when you get your period. This phase starts when an egg from the previous cycle isn’t fertilized. Because pregnancy hasn’t taken place, levels of the hormones estrogen and progesterone drop. The thickened lining of your uterus, which would support a pregnancy, is no longer needed, so it sheds through your vagina. During your period, you release a combination of blood, mucus, and tissue from your uterus. On average, women are in the menstrual phase of their cycle for 3 to 7 days. Some women have longer periods than others. You may have period symptoms like;
cramps
tender breasts
bloating
mood swings
irritability
headaches
tiredness
low back pain
Follicular phase
The follicular phase starts on the first day of your period (so there is some overlap with the menstrual phase) and ends when you ovulate. It starts when the hypothalamus sends a signal to your pituitary gland to release follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). This hormone stimulates your ovaries to produce around 5 to 20 small sacs called follicles. Each follicle contains an immature egg. Only the healthiest egg will eventually mature. (On rare occasions, a woman may have two eggs mature.) The rest of the follicles will be reabsorbed into your body. The maturing follicle sets off a surge in estrogen that thickens the lining of your uterus. This creates a nutrient-rich environment for an embryo to grow. The average follicular phase lasts for about 16 days. It can range from 11 to 27 days, depending on your cycle.
Ovulation phase
Rising estrogen levels during the follicular phase trigger your pituitary gland to release luteinizing hormone (LH). This is what starts the process of ovulation. Ovulation is when your ovary releases a mature egg. The egg travels down the fallopian tube toward the uterus to be fertilized by sperm. The ovulation phase is the only time during your menstrual cycle when you can get pregnant. You can tell that you’re ovulating by symptoms like;
a slight rise in basal body temperature
thicker discharge that has the texture of egg whites
Ovulation happens at around day 14 if you have a 28-day cycle — right in the middle of your menstrual cycle. It lasts about 24 hours. After a day, the egg will die or dissolve if it isn’t fertilized.
Luteal phase
After the follicle releases its egg, it changes into the corpus luteum. This structure releases hormones, mainly progesterone and some estrogen. The rise in hormones keeps your uterine lining thick and ready for a fertilized egg to implant. If you do get pregnant, your body will produce human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). This is the hormone pregnancy tests detect. It helps maintain the corpus luteum and keeps the uterine lining thick. If you don’t get pregnant, the corpus luteum will shrink away and be resorbed. This leads to decreased levels of estrogen and progesterone, which causes the onset of your period. The uterine lining will shed during your period. During this phase, if you don’t get pregnant, you may experience symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) like;
bloating
breast swelling, pain, or tenderness
mood changes
a headache
weight gain
changes in sexual desire
food cravings
trouble sleeping
The luteal phase lasts for 11 to 17 days. The average length is 14 days.
Every woman’s menstrual cycle is different. Some women get their period at the same time each month. Others are more irregular. Some women bleed more heavily or for a longer number of days than others. Your menstrual cycle can also change during certain times of your life. For example, it can get more irregular as you get close to menopause.
How do I know if I am having any issues with my period?
One way to find out if you’re having any issues with your menstrual cycle is to track your periods. Write down when they start and end. Also, record any changes to the amount or number of days you bleed, and whether you have spotting between periods.
What alters menstrual cycle?
Birth control pills
Pregnancy
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
Uterine fibroids
Eating disorders
How do I know if there is a problem with my Menstrual cycle?
skipped periods or your periods have stopped entirely.
Irregular periods
Bleeding for more than 7 days
Your periods are less than 21 days or more than 35 days apart.
You bleed between periods (heavier than spotting).
It’s important to get familiar with your cycle — including when you get your periods and how long they last. Be alert for any changes, and report them to your healthcare provider.
References
- Healthline. Menstrual Cycle. Accessed on 12th October 2018