What are the symptoms of a menstrual cycle?

Physical symptoms of a menstrual cycle can include:

- Changes in cervical mucus: In the days leading up to ovulation, the cervix produces more mucus, which becomes thinner and clearer. This is known as fertile cervical mucus and helps sperm travel through the cervix to the uterus.

- Breast tenderness: The breasts may become tender and swollen before and during menstruation. This is due to the increase in hormones estrogen and progesterone, which stimulate the growth of breast tissue.

- Bloating: The body retains more water before and during menstruation, which can cause bloating. This is also due to the increase in hormones estrogen and progesterone.

- Headaches: Some women experience headaches before and during menstruation. These are thought to be caused by the drop in estrogen levels that occurs just before menstruation begins.

- Acne: Some women experience acne before and during menstruation. This is also thought to be caused by the drop in estrogen levels that occurs just before menstruation begins.

- Constipation or diarrhea: Some women experience changes in bowel movements before and during menstruation. This is due to the increase in hormones estrogen and progesterone, which can affect the digestive system.

- Fatigue: Many women feel tired and fatigued before and during menstruation. This is thought to be caused by the drop in estrogen levels that occurs just before menstruation begins.

- Mood swings: Some women experience mood swings, irritability, and depression before and during menstruation. This is thought to be caused by the changes in hormone levels that occur during the menstrual cycle.

Emotional symptoms of a menstrual cycle can include:

- Mood swings: Some women experience mood swings, irritability, and depression before and during menstruation. This is thought to be caused by the changes in hormone levels that occur during the menstrual cycle.

- Anxiety: Some women experience anxiety before and during menstruation. This is thought to be caused by the drop in estrogen levels that occurs just before menstruation begins.

- Loss of interest in activities: Some women lose interest in activities they usually enjoy before and during menstruation. This is thought to be caused by the fatigue and mood swings that occur during this time.

- Difficulty concentrating: Some women find it difficult to concentrate before and during menstruation. This is thought to be caused by the changes in hormone levels that occur during the menstrual cycle.

- Cravings for certain foods: Some women crave certain foods, such as chocolate or salty foods, before and during menstruation. This is thought to be caused by the changes in hormone levels that occur during the menstrual cycle.