The menstrual cycle is a topic that no woman can ignore. And, although many find it a common theme in their lives, others find it difficult to understand what happens every month inside their body, in a biological process as decisive for their health as the menstrual cycle.
Although with the passage of time it is increasingly common to consult a gynecologist at an early age to understand about the menstrual cycle and the chances of pregnancy, there is still a lack of knowledge on the subject, even in adult women. Therefore, in the following article we will tell you more about this issue that involves internal processes of the body and affects the emotional field of women.
What is the menstrual cycle?
The reproductive organs of a healthy woman of reproductive age undergo a series of closely coordinated changes to have intervals of about a month to generate the normal menstrual cycle. This cycle is the clinical expression of the functioning of a system called thehypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis, which is responsible for preparing and coordinating all the organs and tissues involved in reproduction (ovaries, uterus, endometrium, fallopian tubes and vagina) through hormonal signals.
A menstrual cycle begins on the first day of menstruation and ends just before the next menstrual period. In general, the length of a menstrual cycle is 28 days, but it typically ranges from 21 to 35 days. The variation in menstrual cycles is greater in the years after the first menstruation (menarche) and in the cycles that precede menopause, because some of these cycles are not accompanied by normal or synchronous ovulation (anovulatory cycles).
Other irregularities in the length of the menstrual cycle may be due to changes in diet, exercise, emotional disturbances and miscarriages that, on some occasions, can go unnoticed.
How to understand the menstrual cycle?
The best way to understand the menstrual cycle in women is by analyzing what happens in each of its phases. Below, we explain them:
First phase – Follicular phase:
It begins with menstruation (day 1) and can have a variable duration. It’s what explains why women can have cycles of 21 or even 35 days and still function perfectly.
Not all women take the same time to prepare their eggs for ovulation and this is precisely what happens in this phase. The ovaries are responding to follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) that is released from a cerebral gland (pituitary gland) as a stimulus to mature the follicles (which are the small sacs that contain the eggs).
The follicles in turn respond by producing estrogen, and in this way, it is how they tell the brain if they are receiving adequate stimulation from FSH or not.
Eventually, when FSH has stimulated them enough, there will be enough circulating estrogen to signal to the brain that they are mature and ready to ovulate.
Second Phase – Ovulatory Phase:
When the pituitary gland receives the signal that the follicles are mature and ready to rupture and release the egg (ovulation), a hormone called luteinizing hormone (LH) is released in high doses. LH is responsible for activating the eggs that are already mature in the follicles,so that they set in motion all the cellular machinery that will allow them to be available to join the sperm in fertilization; and it also helps in the process of rupture of the follicle to release the egg.
This phase of the cycle can manifest itself with colicky pain, due to the fact that large hormonal changes are generated. It can also be accompanied by other signs such as an increase in body temperature (around 0.50C – 10C) and an increase in the phylancy or elasticity of vaginal discharge, in addition to other imperceptible changes such as dilation of the cervix; These last two changes will favor the ascent of sperm through the female reproductive tract, helping them to reach their target, the egg and its fertilization.
Third phase – Luteal phase.
In this phase, the follicle that has just ruptured to release the egg has cells in its walls that interpret everything that is happening, and with the help of LH, they undergo a series of changes transforming into a very important structure called the corpus luteum. Hence the name luteal phase.
This last phase of the cycle is very constant over time. It lasts approximately 14 days and ends just before the next period arrives. If it is a successful cycle in which there was fertilization, the corpus luteum will be needed, since it is responsible for producing the progesterone that is vital for the implantation process. If there was no fertilization, the corpus luteum still produces progesterone, but it can only do so for a limited time. When the production of progesterone ends and its levels in the blood decrease, the body will understand that there was no pregnancy and for this reason it reachesa new menstruation and the cycle restarts.
What is the use of understanding it?
- If you have a menstrual cycle that lasts between 21 and 35 days, it means that you are probably a healthy woman with regular ovulations.
- By subtracting the 14 days of the luteal phase from your cycles you can know when your ovulation is
Example:
If you are attentive to the hormonal changes of your cycle, you will be able to identify the signs of your ovulation in your body: (Increased temperature, changes in vaginal discharge, changes in breast tension).
If you have regular menstrual cycles, you can also use this information as a rhythm birth control method and combine it with other birth control methods for added safety.
If you have irregular cycles, it means that you probably have anovulatory cycles and it is necessary to seek help to better understand your body and to be able to determine the best time to try to get pregnant.
If you’ve noticed any changes in your menstrual cycle, it’s important to see a specialist as soon as possible. Taking care of your sexual and reproductive health is important not only for future motherhood, but also for the care of your body and mind.
