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Understanding the Menstrual Cycle

Every month, your body prepares for pregnancy, whether you intend to become pregnant or not. Your ovaries release an egg, which will either become fertilized or be shed during your period, along with the blood and tissue that make up the protective lining of the uterus. Understanding the different phases of the menstrual cycle will help you gain a greater understanding of how your body works. The four phases of the menstrual cycle are the follicular phase, ovulation, the luteal phase and menstruation.

  1. Follicular phase

    • A cycle begins with the first day of your period. In the days leading up to your period, your body is preparing for a possible pregnancy by building up a think lining on the wall of the uterus, which will provide nourishment to an implanted fertilized egg. A follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) is released by the pituitary gland, causing follicles in the ovaries to begin maturing and begin releasing estrogen, another hormone that helps develop the uterine lining. As the estrogen levels in your body increase, you may experience symptoms associated with premenstrual syndrome (PMS), such as mood swings and headaches.

    Ovulation

    • After approximately two weeks, one of the follicles will release an egg, which will travel from the ovary into the fallopian tube. A woman may release two or more eggs within a 24-hour period.This process of releasing an egg, or ovulation, is generally believed to occur around day 14 of the cycle, but the actual date can vary greatly from woman to woman. It is at this point in her cycle that a woman is fertile, or capable of becoming pregnant. After ovulation, the ruptured follicle will begin releasing the hormone progesterone, which prevents any other eggs from being released.

    Luteal Phase

    • The period between ovulation and menstruation is known as the luteal phase. During this phase, the ruptured follicle, or the corpus luteum, will continue to release progesterone, which will continue to thicken and build the uterine lining. The luteal phase typically lasts between 12 and 16 days. If fertilization does not occur, the corpus luteum will begin to degenerate, causing the uterine lining to disintegrate.

    Menstruation

    • As the uterine lining begins to disintegrate, the resulting blood and tissue is shed through the vagina. A l menstrual period typically lasts from three to seven days and consist of about 2 1/2 oz. of fluid. In addition to blood, menstrual fluid is made up of endometrial cells and cervical fluid. It can range in color from bright red or pink to dark brown or even blackish.

    Facts

    • An average cycle lasts approximately 28 days, but every woman's cycle is different. You should not be alarmed if your cycle is shorter or longer. By monitoring or even charting your cycles, you can learn what is normal for your body and be able to identify any abnormalities that could indicate health problems. Psychological stress can delay ovulation and result in a longer cycle. Many people mistakenly believe that worrying about a late period can delay it even further; however, once ovulation occurs, the duration of the luteal phase varies little from cycle to cycle. Extreme changes in weight or excessive exercise can cause amenorrhea, an absence of periods that is usually temporary.

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