What is the menstrual cycle and what phases does it consist of?
The menstrual cycle is divided into 3 stages: menstruation, the first phase (follicular) and the second phase (luteal). Menstruation lasts, on average, 4-5 days. During this phase, the mucous membrane of the uterus (endometrium) is rejected, due to the fact that pregnancy has not occurred.
The first phase lasts from the moment of the end of menstruation to ovulation, i.e. on average, up to 14 days of the cycle with a 28 day cycle (cycle days are counted from the onset of menstruation). It is characterized by the following events: in the ovaries, the growth of several follicles begins, in which the ovules are. In the process of its growth, the follicles secrete estrogens (female sex hormones) into the blood, under the influence of which the mucous membrane (endometrium) grows in the uterus.
Approximately in the middle of the cycle, all the follicles except one stop growing, and regress, and one grows to an average of 20 mm, and then bursts. This is ovulation. From the bursting follicle comes an egg and enters the fallopian tube, where it waits for the sperm.
Immediately after ovulation, the second phase of the cycle begins. It lasts from the moment of ovulation to the beginning of menstruation, i.e. about 12-14 days. During this phase, the woman's body awaits the beginning of pregnancy. In the ovary, the "yellow body" begins to blossom - formed from the burst follicle, it grows into blood vessels, and another female sexual hormone (progesterone) starts to secrete into the blood, which prepares the uterus to attach the fertilized egg and the beginning of pregnancy. If the fertilization does not come - the yellow body stops its activity.
After this, a signal to the uterus comes in, and it begins to reject the already unnecessary endometrium. A new menstruation begins.
What are the main characteristics of the menstrual cycle?
Each organism is individual. Therefore, every woman has her own norm of the length of the menstrual cycle. However, in any case, it should not exceed the limits stipulated above 21-35 days. In this case, the duration of the menstruation (the time during which spotting is observed) is 4-5 days, and the blood volume should not exceed 80 ml. It should be noted that these parameters are directly influenced by climatic conditions. Thus, scientists have proved that more often in the inhabitants of northern countries the cycle is longer than for those women who live in the south.
No less important parameter of the menstrual cycle than duration, is its regularity. Ideally, when a woman is all right with her health and her hormonal system works stably and clearly, the monthly ones are regularly observed, i.e. at regular intervals. If this does not happen - you need to see a doctor.
In cases where the cycle time is long, but it is regular, speech about the violation can not go. Doctors usually call this phenomenon a long menstrual cycle.
How long does it take to set the menstrual cycle and how can its instability be caused?
Having told how many normal days in healthy women make up the average cycle of menstruation,
However, if a cycle break occurs already at the time when it is established, then to find out the reason it is necessary to consult a doctor. After all, in most cases, this phenomenon - is a symptom of a gynecological disease. The basis of such violations, as a rule, is the failure of the hormonal system and, as a consequence, a change in the hormonal background of the female body.