Every month, the female body undergoes cyclical changes guided by hormones, visibly marked by a periodic flow of blood known as menstruation. Let's explore this phenomenon central to human life.
What is the Menstrual Cycle?
The menstrual cycle can be defined as a series of hormonal and physical changes in the female body occurring each month, aiming to prepare for a potential pregnancy. Indeed, the prefix 'Menstru' means 'month,' referring to the typical duration of the menstrual period, which can vary from 25 to 32 days. This cycle begins in young women at puberty and repeats throughout the fertile period until menopause. The most visible manifestation of these internal changes is the flow of blood observed at the beginning of the cycle: menstruation or periods.
Why Do I Have My Periods Every Month?
Periods are a flow of blood from the vagina observed in women of childbearing age, from puberty to menopause. This blood comes from the uterus and is the result of shedding the inner lining that lines it, called the endometrium. Indeed, every month, the female body undergoes several hormonal and physical changes to potentially support a pregnancy. The ovaries, under the influence of a hormone called FSH (Follicle-Stimulating Hormone), produce an egg: ovulation occurs. Similarly, these hormones induce thickening of the inner layer of the uterus, which is the endometrium. If the egg is not fertilized, the thickened endometrium sheds, and blood flows through the vagina: this is menstruation.
What are the 4 Phases of the Menstrual Cycle?
There are several ways to divide the menstrual cycle. Indeed, multiple changes occur at the hormonal, ovarian, uterine, and even vaginal levels. We explain everything to you:
Phase 1 - Menstruation
The menstrual cycle begins on the first day of menstruation. This is known as the menstrual phase. The flow of blood from the vagina is caused by the shedding of the endometrium, which had prepared for a potential pregnancy. The duration of menstruation is considered normal when it lasts between 3 and 7 days.
Phase 2 - Follicular Phase
During this phase, the ovaries are stimulated by a hormone called FSH (Follicle-Stimulating Hormone). Follicles, contained within the ovaries, develop, and one of them will release an ovum: ovulation occurs. Also, during this phase, the inner layer of the uterus undergoes changes, thickens, and prepares to accommodate a potential pregnancy.
Phase 3 - Ovulation
This phase marks the release, by a mature follicle, of an ovum. This released ovum travels towards the uterus through one of the two fallopian tubes. The ovum has a lifespan of about 24 hours, during which it can be fertilized if there is unprotected sexual intercourse during this period. The so-called 'fertile' period extends from four days before ovulation to one day after.
Phase 4 - Luteal Phase
The follicle that released the ovum transforms into a corpus luteum and secretes a hormone called progesterone, which stimulates the inner lining of the uterus (endometrium). This lining thickens and prepares to accommodate an embryo if fertilization occurs. However, if fertilization does not occur, the progesterone level drops, and the endometrium disintegrates: menstruation begins, and a new cycle starts.
How to Track Your Menstrual Cycle?
Tracking your menstrual cycle not only helps you anticipate the arrival of your period but also determines your fertile period and, most importantly, enhances your understanding of your own body. You may have tried before and found it complicated. Here, we propose an effective three-step method to help you avoid mistakes.
The first step : to determine if you have a regular cycle or not
To do this, you can track your cycle for three months. Note the date of your first day of menstruation: this is the first day of your cycle. Then count the number of days until the day before your next period. Do this for 3 months and compare: a cycle is considered irregular if there is a difference of more than 5 days between cycles.
For example, if your cycle lasted 26 days the first month, 29 days the second month, and 27 days the third month, then it is regular. Similarly, if your cycle lasts the same number of days each month, then it is regular. However, if it lasted 26 days the first month, 32 days the second month, and 24 days the third month, then it is irregular.
The second step : to determine your ovulation date
This is only possible if the cycle is regular. It is difficult to predict ovulation if the cycle is irregular because ovulation occurs approximately 14 days before menstruation. To accurately predict this date, it is necessary for menstruation to occur at a more or less fixed time.
For example, if the average length of your cycle is 30 days, your ovulation occurs 14 days before menstruation, so on the 16th day (30-14=16).
Determining your fertile period
This is the period conducive to pregnancy. It typically lasts 6 days, including 4 days before ovulation and 1 day after. Using the previous example, if your cycle is regular and lasts 30 days, then your ovulation occurs on the 16th day, and your fertile period extends from the 12th to the 17th day.
Some Misconceptions About the Menstrual Cycle
Despite being inherent to the human species, the menstrual cycle is subject to several misunderstandings. Here is a medical explanation of 5 of them:
- Periods are dirty: In several cultures and even today, periods are considered dirty. However, menstruation is a normal physiological process that allows the renewal of the inner lining of the uterus. The expelled blood is not the result of an infection, much less a disease. It is therefore neither dirty nor contagious.
- The menstrual cycle lasts 28 days: This way of summarizing things can be misleading because it is only an average. The normal duration varies between 25 and 32 days depending on women, and even according to situations (stress, illness, etc.).
- Ovulation occurs on the 14th day: This is again a simplification that can be misleading. This average can only apply if you have a regular 28-day cycle, which is not the case for all women. This day varies depending on whether you have a regular cycle or not, and according to the length of this cycle.
- It's normal to have pain during periods: False. Many women experience cramps in the lower abdomen during their periods. These are often due to the expulsion of residues by the uterus. However, if these pains affect your quality of life, if their intensity increases with cycles, or if they occur in other places than your lower abdomen, do not hesitate to consult your doctor.
- Women lose a lot of blood during periods: Contrary to popular belief, women only lose 30 to 80ml of blood throughout the duration of their periods. That's less than a small pot of yogurt. If you feel that your periods are too heavy, if you experience dizziness during your periods, do not hesitate to see a doctor.
CONCLUSION
In conclusion, the menstrual cycle, comprised of 4 phases, reflects the natural complexity of the female body. Understanding these individual fluctuations is essential for anticipating periods, planning effectively, and debunking misconceptions, thereby fostering a healthy and informed perception of this biological process.
