All women have a menstrual cycle, which is indicative of their fertility. It is important to understand that this is a natural change, characteristic of the female reproductive system and which ensures a possible pregnancy. If you would like to find out more information on the menstrual cycle and its specific characteristics, do not hesitate to keep on reading this article.
Menstruation is the monthly sloughing off and discharge of blood as well mucosal tissues from the endometrial lining of the uterus. This is often episodic having the average length of four to six days. About thirty to eighty milliliters of blood is lost during a normal menstrual cycle.
The Menstrual Cycle is an episodic uterine bleeding in response to cyclic hormonal changes. It is a method wherein it prepares a woman’s body for conception and implantation to form a new life. The purpose of which is to lead an ovum (egg cell) into maturity as well as to renew a woman’s uterine tissue bed which will be in charge for the growth of the ova if ever it will be fertilized by a sperm cell.
What is a Normal Teenage Menstrual Cycle?
The menstrual cycle typically varies among women of different ages. In a normal teenager, menarche is the term used to describe their very first menstruation. Typically, a normal cycle is composed of twenty eight days.
The first phase which is so called proliferative phase happens instantly after the woman’s menstrual flow. The endometrium thickens to about eight times than its usual size from approximately day five until day fourteen of a normal twenty eight day menstrual cycle.
The second phase which is called the secretory phase happens right after ovulation or the release of the egg cell.
The third phase which is called ischemic phase happens if fertilization of the egg cell does not transpire. Thus, it regresses and shrivels off.
The last is the menstrual phase where menstruation begin to flow consisting of blood, mucus, fragments of the unfertilized egg cell and other fragments of the endometrium.
: This gland initiates the woman’s menstrual cycle through its release of the so called Gonadotropin Releasing Hormone. This release of this hormone is cyclic thereby resulting to a monthly menstrual period which is cyclic as well.
: This gland produces two hormones such as the Leutinizing Hormone and the Follicle Stimulating Hormone which targets the woman’s ovary to promote menstrual cycle.
: Monthly, a woman naturally experiences a fertile period where she releases an ovum or egg cell which swims freely on the surface of the ovary. This process is called ovulation which occurs usually at the fourteenth day prior to the onset of the next menstrual cycle.
: The endometrial lining of the uterus increases by eight times before menstruation occurs. However, during menstruation, its lining sheds off if the ovum is not fertilized. This results to the sloughing off of the endometrium with blood consisting of about 30 to 80 ml.
Dysmenorrhea or painful menstrual period varies from being a slight discomfort to rigorous pain. Usually, the cause of painful menstrual period is ischemia and muscular spasms. Moreover, during a normal menstruation, the hormone prostaglandin is released. The over secretion of this hormone may result to painful menstruation which is often called primary dysmenorrheal. There are also secondary dysmenorrhea which results from pelvic inflammatory disease, infection and other disorders of the uterus.
How Does The Menstrual Cycle Change As A Woman Gets Older?
As a woman gets older, she reaches the time of life where she experiences cessation of her menstrual cycle called menopause. This usually occurs due to age, hormonal influence, and other factors involving a woman’s lifestyle prior to menopause such as heavy smoking and drinking.
How to Manage Menstrual Symptoms and Bleeding?
: It is a must for a woman to moderately exercise during menstruation since it enhances her general well being and causes relaxation. Thus, cramping is avoided.
: It is advisable to slow down for a bit, lie down and rest. This will alleviate dysmenorrhea especially if it becomes intolerable for the woman.
: Since menstruation causes sloughing of blood, it is important for a woman to eat foods rich in iron to replace the iron that may have been lost during menstruation.
The treatment for menstrual symptoms and bleeding usually varies depending on the reasons why there is pain. If there is painful menstrual cramps which results from muscle contractions and ischemia, drugs may be given to inhibit the cramping. However, there are secondary dysmenorrhea which results from disorders such as endometriosis, pelvic infections and other disorders involving the uterus. Prompt treatment depends on the mechanism of the disorder and this should be given proper treatment in order for the pain to subside.
What Are The Reasons Behind A Painful Menstrual Period?
A painful menstrual period can be caused by a number of health problems, including endometriosis, fibroids and other abnormal growths in the uterus and pelvic inflammatory disease. Depression, stress and anxiety can make the menstrual period even more painful, as well as hormonal imbalances and kidney disease. The most important thing is to obtain a correct diagnosis and proceed from there, getting the right treatment.
Nowadays, you can use a wide range of applications in order to keep track of your menstrual cycle. These are known as period calculators or menstrual cycle trackers, pinpointing the exact dates of the menstrual cycle, ovulation and so on. If you want to do it the old way, you can mark the dates of your current menstruation in a calendar. In this way, you can know the date of your next period (with approximation).
The menstrual cycle is different from one person to the other, its duration lasting from 23 to 35 days. Throughout this period, hormonal levels rise and decrease. The menstrual cycle is split into different phases, each with its own set of changes. In the menstrual phase, the lining of the uterus break down and sheds. This is when the menstruation begins and you experience the much-dreaded symptoms.
The follicular phase is the one in which the body prepares for ovulation, with the ovaries being stimulated (hormonally) to produce an egg.
Mucus discharge is normal for this phase, as well as increased energy levels and a positive mood. The third phase is known as ovulation, with the matured egg being released into the uterus. If it happens that it comes into contact with the sperm, it will become fertilized and pregnancy will occur. Last, but not least, you have the luteal phase, which signifies the end of the menstrual cycle. You will begin menstruating and experiencing the PMS symptoms.
When a woman truly understands the normal parameters of menstruation, its physiology and how it works, can she be able to adapt in this natural monthly occurrence. The key to a stress-free menstrual period is thorough and adequate knowledge and understanding. As you have seen, the menstrual cycle is a complex matter and it can provide a lot of useful information regarding your general state of health.