Knowing how our reproductive system works is essential to determine our health and detect possible complications in this matter. Understanding the menstrual cycle phases is necessary to safely exercise our sexuality and determine the presence of delays or alterations that may compromise our health.
Although it is an essential subject, many women admit not knowing how to determine when they are in their fertile days, when they are about to menstruate, or the length of their cycle. These essential aspects are essential to know. This FastlyHealarticle explains the menstrual cycle phases and what happens in your body at each stage.
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What is the menstrual cycle?
A menstrual cycle is a period that elapses between the first day of a rule and the first day of the next government, which marks the start of the following process. It is essential to be clear that when we talk about the day of the cycle, it is not subject to the calendar date we are in but to the time that has elapsed since the first day of your period.
There are women with regular and irregular cycles. Knowing which group you are in is essential to determine the presence of specific gynecological conditions.
Regular menstrual cycle
Our cycle is considered normal when it occurs every 28 to 30 days, with a variation of two days before or after. However, many women admit that their period does not come every 28 or 30 days, yet they remain regular.
The regularity of the period is determined when our rule always comes in a similar time interval. For example, if one month the menstruation comes on the 26th day of the cycle, the other on the 24th and the next 25th, gynecologically, it is considered that you are completely regular.
Irregular menstrual cycle
Irregular is understood as any cycle in which it is difficult to establish the interval between one rule and another. When one month the rule appears on the 21st of the revolution, the following month on the 30th, another month on the 35th, and is even absent, we are faced with an irregular woman. It is common to be inconsistent during the first two years of the period because our hormonal levels are not yet stable.
However, as time goes by, it should normalize. If not, you should go to a gynecologist for a check-up. In our article causes of irregular menstruation, we explain the most frequent reasons why this occurs.
Phase 1 of the menstrual cycle: the rule
As we have explained previously, the menstrual cycle begins with the first day of the period. Therefore this is the first phase. On average, menstruation can last up to a week, so this stage ranges from day 1 to 7 of the cycle in regular women.
The rule occurs when the endometrium, where there is no fertilized egg, detaches, leaving our body through the bleeding that we expel through the vaginal orifice. The duration of menstruation varies in each woman and can range from 3 to 7 days.
Phase 2 of the menstrual cycle: the follicular phase
Once the period ends, the follicular phase of the menstrual cycle begins, in which the ovum prepares to be released. It occurs between days 6 and 12 of the process approximately. In this stage, several things happen in our body:
- Increases the amount of estrogen hormone in the body to thicken the endometrium to receive a possible fertilized egg.
- It increases follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) that stimulates the growth of ovarian follicles, each containing an egg. Eventually, one of these eggs will fully mature for a possible gestation.
Phase 3 of the menstrual cycle: ovulation
Ovulation usually occurs between days 13 and 15 of the cycle, although in most women, it can occur between days 11 and 16.
At this stage, the matured egg is released from the follicle and travels to the nearby fallopian tube, where it will continue on its way to the uterus, which can take about four days. If there is unprotected sex during the fertile days, it is normal for the sperm to meet the egg in the fallopian tube to fertilize it. Once fertilized, the egg will go to the uterus, which during this stage has thickened, to later implant and start gestation.
When the egg is not fertilized, it will decompose.
Phase 4 of the menstrual cycle: luteal phase
After ovulating, the follicle becomes a structure known as the corpus luteum, responsible for producing estrogen and progesterone to prepare the endometrium and facilitate the implantation of the ovum.
Suppose the egg has not been appropriately fertilized or implanted in the uterus. In that case, the endometrium surface that has previously thickened will no longer be needed, so the corpus luteum disintegrates, progesterone levels decrease, and the body begins to prepare to expel the endometrium, a process we know as menstruation. When this happens, another menstrual cycle starts again.
This article is merely informative. At FastlyHeal .com, we do not have the power to prescribe medical treatments or make any diagnosis. We invite you to see a doctor in the case of presenting any condition or discomfort.
If you want to read more articles similar to Phases of the menstrual cycle, we recommend that you enter our category of the Female reproductive system.
I am a Surgeon with a diploma in comprehensive ultrasound and surgical care residency, an area I am specializing in. During the exercise of my profession, I have realized the need for patients to know the diseases they suffer, and I can tell you that a large part of their complications is due to a lack of information. Being a health web writer allows me to transmit my experience, without borders, to all those readers eager for knowledge, educate them in the prevention of diseases and promote a healthy lifestyle.