What Are The Phases of The Menstrual Cycle?
Introduction:
The topic of menstruation is one that is shrouded in taboos and myths throughout society. Indian women who are menstruating cannot participate in religious ceremonies or social gatherings. These taboos have significant effects on girls’ mental health, lifestyle, and, in particular, physical well-being.
The problem is that most people are unaware of puberty, menstruation, and reproductive health issues. Learning about how the female menstrual cycle works can help you anticipate and understand what is happening in your body at different times of the month. In the end, perhaps learning more about your body isn’t a bad thing.
What Is The Menstrual Cycle?
A woman’s menstrual cycle is her body’s way of preparing for pregnancy. Each month, a woman’s body undergoes normal vaginal bleeding. The uterus produces it as a result of hormonal interactions.
Women begin menstruating around the age of 13 and continue until they reach menopause around the age of 45-55.
Each month, a woman loses about 35-80 ml of blood while menstruating for around 30 years.
A month’s cycle starts with one of the ovaries releasing an egg in a process called ovulation. At the same time, the uterus is preparing for pregnancy through hormonal changes. In the event that the egg does not unite with the sperm, the uterine lining sheds through the vaginal opening, causing menstrual bleeding.
Menstrual Cycle Phases:
During a woman’s menstrual cycle, which has four phases, there are a lot of things happening on the inside:
- Menstrual phase
- Follicular phase
- Ovulation phase
- Luteal phase
Menstrual Phase:
During the menstrual cycle, the menstrual phase comes first. It’s also the time of the month when you get your period.
It begins when one or more eggs from the previous cycle are not united with sperm in the next cycle. In other words, during your menstrual cycle, your endometrium, the thicker lining of your uterus, is shed through the vaginal canal.
The menstrual fluid consists of bleeding from capillaries, arteries, and veins, as well as mucus and cells of the uterus.
During your period, you can experience the following symptoms:
- Headache
- Cramps and aches
- Exhaustion
- Lower backache
- Bloating
- Tender breast
- Irritability
- Moods wings
An average woman’s menstrual period lasts three to seven days.
Follicular Phase:
During the follicular phase, the ovaries begin to prepare an egg for release. This phase may cause thick vaginal discharge (white discharge). A combination of hormones influences this phase, causing the uterus lining to thicken in preparation for the zygote’s implantation.
During the menstrual cycle, the first day of the period begins the follicular phase which continues until ovulation.
In this phase, estrogen levels increase and the pituitary gland releases follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) in response to a brain signal. In response to the FSH hormone, your ovaries produce five to twenty follicles, which are tiny sacs that contain egg cells. It usually takes 16 days for the follicular phase to complete.
Ovulation Phase:
Two weeks before your period, you will begin this phase. This phase is marked by peak levels of estrogen followed by rapid declines. When estrogen levels rise during the ovulation period, the pituitary gland releases luteinizing hormone (LH). The ovulation process is initiated by the luteinizing hormone.
Ovulation is the only time during the menstrual cycle that women can become pregnant. The ovary produces an egg once it has matured, as it does during the ovulation process. A sperm fertilizes the egg as it travels toward the uterus down the fallopian tube.
The following symptoms may indicate that you are ovulating:
- Increased basal body temperature to a moderate degree
- Thicker vaginal discharge
During your 28-day menstrual cycle, ovulation occurs on day 14, about seven days after menstruation. A female’s reproductive days correspond to the time frame when her eggs develop in the ovary.
It lasts approximately 24 hours. Within a day, if the egg is not fertilized, it will rot or disintegrate.
When you are considering becoming pregnant, it is important to be aware of your ovulation period and fertile days.
Luteal phase:
The luteal phase lasts about 14 days after ovulation, ending just before menstruation unless there is a pregnancy. It is pointless to have an endometrium if the egg does not unite with the sperm and begins to break down.
As your uterus contracts to shed the lining, you may experience cramping a week before your period. At this stage, other hormonal changes are also triggering the mental state.
There are several menstrual cycle phases, but the luteal phase occurs between ovulation and the first day of the period. The progesterone levels rise in this phase, which is necessary for the uterine lining to remain thick enough for the fertilized egg to survive.
This phase lasts up to 11 to 17 days.
A Word From Hegde Fertility:
Every month, this menstrual cycle repeats itself. Each woman experiences her menstrual cycle differently. It is common for some women to get their period on the same day every month, whereas others vary from 22 to 35 days. In some women, the bleeding is more profuse or lasts longer.
These menstrual cycle phases help you to understand how a woman’s period cycle works and help you identify the symptoms you might be experiencing, including increased vaginal discharge, period pain, emotional highs and lows, and more.
Keeping track of your periods can help you figure out if there are any issues with your menstrual cycle. Make a note of when they start and end. Monitor your bleeding patterns or days between periods, as well as any spotting between periods, for a healthy menstrual cycle.