Menstrual cycle

The menstrual cycle is the cycle of events that take place in a woman’s body periodically so as to prepare for growing a new life inside their body. It is the cycle of events that will take her to pregnancy. Menstrual cycle usually occurs once a month but the exact duration varies among individuals, based on their health conditions. A new lining called the endometrium is grown in the uterus of a woman. The growth is attributed for receiving a fertilized egg. Once the fertility egg is received, the pregnancy starts. But when there is no fertility egg, the lining is shed by the uterus in the form of bleeding and this is called as the menstrual bleeding, which is otherwise called as menstrual period. These cycles of events occurs once a month, starting from their puberty to menopause.
The normal age of attaining puberty is from 10-14 and menopause is around 50 years. The average menstrual cycle is calculated to be 28 days but it is normal to have a period that is either shorter or longer than the average duration. The cycle is calculated from the first day of the bleeding to the next month’s first day. The ages from 10-14 is the start of the periods where the girl will have unusual duration of menstrual cycle as it is the starting age of the period. Similarly, women at ages 40 and above will have longer days of menstruation which will eventually stop one day or the other. From ages 20-40, it is normal to have periods with 3-5 days of irregularity. But if this continues longer, it is better to consult the doctor.

There are two cycles in the menstrual process, namely ovarian cycle and uterine cycle. Each cycle is subdivided into three phases. The changes that take place in the ovarian follicles are described in the ovarian phase and the changes in the endometrial lining are described in the uterine cycle. The first phase of the ovarian cycle is the follicular phase when the follicles mature to release an egg. Ovulation is the next phase when the follicles release the matured egg into the oviduct. The luteal phase is when the hormones come into play. Menstruation is the first phase of the uterine cycle when the bleeding occurs. Proliferative phase is when the lining of the uterus grows. The secretory phase is synonymous with the luteal phase of the ovarian cycle.