Knowledge of the menstrual cycle is key in planning for pregnancy, choosing contraceptive methods, and managing mental health. Here are a few facts every woman should know about the menstrual cycle.
It has four phases
The menstrual cycle which has an average of 28 days has the menstrual, follicular, ovulation, and luteal phases. The menstrual phase is the first phase where the actual menses occur. The uterine lining build in the previous cycle to support pregnancy wears off. The second phase is the follicular phase starts with the end of periods and ends with ovulation. During the follicular phase, follicles are produced in the ovaries. Each follicle contains a few immature eggs. During this phase the healthy eggs mature, while the rest are reintegrated into the ovaries. The next phase is the ovulation phase where, the mature egg or eggs are released from the ovaries. Fertilization may or may not occur. The last phase is the luteal phase where the released egg morphs into a structure known as the corpus luteam. The corpus luteam produces enough oestrogen and progesterone to keep the walls thick and ready for implantation process. If fertilization does not occur, the cycle restarts.
There are several hormones involved
These hormones include oestrogen, progesterone, luteinizing hormone (LH), human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), and the follicle-stimulating Hormone (FSH). Estrogen and progestrone support the thickening of the uterine wall which enables the fertilized egg to implant. The level of estrogen and progesterone are high in the luteal phase and extremely low in the menstrual phase. Estrogen is also high in the follicular phase. The FSH triggers the production of follicles in the follicular phase and also triggers an upsurge of estrogen. On the other hand, the LH kickstarts the ovulation process. It is triggered by high levels of estrogen in the follicular phase. Lastly, the hCG hormone maintains the thickened uterine wall and the corpus leteum.
The sperm can last for five days in the uterus.
This means that having unprotected sex five days to ovulation can lead to pregnancy.
The unfertilized egg dies off after some time and is reabsorbed into the tissue
There are several types of discharges
The first is the bloody discharge witnessed during the menstrual phase. The discharge is made of tissue, blood and mucus. The second is the thick whitish discharge produced in the ovulation phase and is made of egg whites.
The length of time for each phase varies
However, for an average 28 days cycle, the menstrual cycle will take 3 to 7 days, the follicular phase will take 11 to 16 days, the ovulation phase takes 24 hours, while the luteal phase takes 11 to 17 days.
The Intensity of the period will vary per person
Each phase is characteristics by a set of symptoms
The hormonal changes that occur during the cycle cause different symptoms. Cramps, body aches, fatigue, irritability, headaches, and breast tenderness are some of the symptoms that occur in the menstrual phase. During ovulation, the body basal temperature rises and a thick white discharge are common. In the luteal phase, weight gain, headaches, bloating, mood swings, food cravings, and changed libido are common.
