The human body can be compared to a machine, since its functioning depends entirely on several “gears” to operate properly. It’s no different with the female reproductive system and everything related to the menstrual cycle.
The beginning of the menstrual cycle is an important milestone in female life; this is when the entire cycle of life begins. And for everything to happen naturally and healthily, every function of the reproductive system, together with the brain’s commands, must work in total harmony.
What is the Menstrual Cycle?
The menstrual cycle is the name given to a woman’s fertile phase. It usually begins around age 12, when menarche (first menstruation) occurs, but may happen early in girls as young as 8 or 9 years old.
The menstrual cycle stage has the sole purpose of sexual reproduction. That’s why the entire female body works toward preparing to generate an embryo and, if this does not happen, to begin the process all over again in a new cycle.
The menstrual cycle starts on the first day of menstrual bleeding; don’t count as the start any spotting or light bleeding that may come earlier. From this day, a new cycle count begins until the next period.
Phases of the Menstrual Cycle
The menstrual cycle is divided into three phases, each with very specific symptoms that can be easily identified—helping those trying to conceive as well as those who want to avoid pregnancy.
Each phase of the menstrual cycle works through hormonal stimuli produced by the body. Each with its own characteristics, it is produced with a different responsibility so that the entire female reproductive system functions as expected. The three phases of the menstrual cycle are: follicular phase, ovulatory phase, and luteal phase.
Follicular Phase
The follicular phase is the first phase of the menstrual cycle. It usually lasts on average 15 days, give or take a few days. It starts on the first day of bleeding and continues until the next phase, ovulation.
During the follicular phase, the ovarian follicle begins to develop, and the uterus prepares to receive a fertilized egg. In the first stage of the follicular phase, the pituitary gland, responsible for producing follicle-stimulating hormones (FSH), is stimulated, and around 3 to 30 follicles are developed, each containing an egg.
However, only one of these continues to develop to be fertilized, while the rest begin to degenerate. These follicles stimulate the production of estrogen, which prepares and strengthens the endometrium, making it more resistant to support a fertilized egg (luteal phase). This whole process happens on average by the tenth day.
From the tenth day, the second part of the follicular phase begins. The only follicle that continues to develop is about to be released. As estrogen production continues, the endometrium gets even stronger to receive the released egg.
During this phase, cervical mucus presents a very characteristic texture, being watery and in preparation to receive and facilitate the movement of sperm toward the uterus. Besides preparing the environment for sperm arrival and making it more suitable for their survival, the cervix becomes wetter during this phase of the cycle.
Important: The follicular phase may suffer changes and have its period shortened due to some health issues or even with the approach of menopause.
Ovulatory Phase
The ovulatory phase is marked by the release of the dominant follicle (sometimes 1, 2, or 3 eggs may be released). With increased LH hormone, the follicle ruptures, finally releasing the egg to be fertilized. This release usually happens 16 to 30 hours after the hormone surge.
During this process, some women report experiencing some discomfort, pain, or uneasiness on one side of the abdomen, which can last just a few minutes or hours. This is a rare symptom and is not felt in every cycle, so don’t expect this sign as a way to pinpoint ovulation.
Luteal Phase
The luteal phase is the last phase of the menstrual cycle. The ovarian follicle that “stored” the egg now gets a new function after releasing it. At this stage, the follicle fills with blood and begins to stimulate the production of the hormone progesterone, which is responsible for strengthening the endometrium and supporting embryo implantation.
At this stage, the blood-filled follicle becomes known as the corpus luteum, which gives the luteal phase its name. As it stimulates progesterone production, all other hormone levels drop, ensuring embryo development.
The luteal phase process lasts 10 to 16 days, which may vary depending on a woman’s cycle. The healthy average for the luteal phase is 14 days. Women with a luteal phase shorter than 11 days should talk to their gynecologist for evaluation and appropriate treatment, as the chances of getting pregnant or maintaining a pregnancy decrease due to endometrial quality and strength.
Irregular Menstrual Cycle
A normal menstrual cycle lasts from 28 to 30 days, but many women have great difficulty maintaining such a regular cycle, making conception or even following certain contraceptive methods more challenging.
For a woman to be sure she has an irregular cycle, it is necessary to track at least 3 full cycles and analyze how many days pass before the next period. Accurate dates should be noted for proper monitoring.
It’s important to note that variations of 2 to 7 days in each menstrual cycle are not considered a sign of an irregular menstrual cycle. Instead, these are natural variations due to hormonal changes. If the cycle varies by more than this, it may become a problem for those wanting to conceive or even for those using cycle control methods, such as the symptothermal method.
How to Deal With an Irregular Menstrual Cycle
Having an irregular cycle is not a big deal, but it is necessary to get to know your body very well to recognize each sign in every phase it goes through. Observing cervical mucus is one of the main ways, both for women trying to conceive and those trying to avoid pregnancy.
Even with an irregular menstrual cycle, the presence of mucus is clear. The stretchier its texture, the closer you are to ovulation. Vaginal moisture is also a clear sign of the fertile period, so it helps identify the best time to try (for those trying to conceive) or to have protected sex if you want to avoid pregnancy.
It is natural for many women to live their whole lives with an irregular cycle, but it’s important to highlight that in some cases it is possible to identify the cause and treat it to regulate the menstrual cycle.
How to Regulate the Menstrual Cycle
These days, you can find a wide range of products recommended to regulate the menstrual cycle, from pharmaceuticals to natural methods. However, ideally, talk with your gynecologist to assess your situation and start treatment with medical supervision.
Additional tests are needed to investigate the cause, such as hormone testing and transvaginal ultrasounds. If hormonal issues are identified, your gynecologist may recommend proper treatment and the problem can be resolved within a few months.
But if your test results show no abnormalities, no hormonal disorders, and no apparent cause is affecting your cycle, some natural tips like vitex tea may help resolve it.
Main Causes of Irregular Menstrual Cycles
The primary cause of menstrual cycle disruption is hormonal, but there are other causes that may be responsible. Top of the list is the use of certain medications, including oral contraceptives such as birth control pills or morning-after pills.
These methods are very effective, if used correctly. The birth control pill can even be used as a method for regulating your cycle, but it must be taken properly, every day, and preferably at the same time daily for the time recommended by your gynecologist.
If used incorrectly, the opposite effect can occur, completely upsetting the menstrual cycle, causing hormonal disturbances and breakthrough bleeding. Also, after stopping the birth control pill after a certain period, it is normal for your cycle to be disrupted until your body normalizes hormone levels.
Absence of Menstruation
Lack of menstruation in women of fertile age, also known as amenorrhea, is not always a sign of pregnancy. Absence of menstruation can be due to several factors, including hormonal changes.
Other very common causes of missed periods are switching birth control pills, improper use of the morning-after pill, and even stressful situations in a woman’s life, which can affect her entire cycle. Excessive physical activity is also a common reason affecting the menstrual cycle, as well as cases of anorexia.
Remember, menstrual delays can happen, but the complete absence of menstruation is not normal and the cause should be investigated by a gynecologist. If you are approaching the age of menopause, the absence of periods for more than 3 months may mean you are in perimenopause—talk to your doctor for more detailed tests.
Main Causes of Missed Periods
Some medications: Certain medications used for various treatments can affect the menstrual cycle. Medications like corticosteroids, immunosuppressants, drugs used in chemotherapy, medications for hypertension, and some antidepressants. If you are taking any of these and missing periods, talk to your doctor.
Thyroid Disorders: Changes in the thyroid can cause missed periods or even disruption in the cycle. Through specific blood tests, it is possible to identify if it is hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism and get proper treatment.
Reproductive System Diseases: Some problems in the female reproductive system can be the cause of missed periods, such as endometriosis, polycystic ovary syndrome, or fibroids. With proper treatment for each issue, the menstrual cycle can be regulated.
Anxiety/Stress Conditions: Many women lead intense lives and suffer from anxiety and stress, which may trigger missed periods. Managing stress and even engaging in physical exercise to improve your mental health can help regularize the situation.
Pain and Discomfort During the Menstrual Cycle
The human body is very sensitive and reacts in many ways to changes and phases. These changes and reactions are even more intense in the female body due to hormonal changes and everything that happens during the menstrual cycle.
That’s why it’s very common to hear about the pain and discomfort felt by all women throughout the cycle. Some manage to naturally overcome these issues, but others may suffer so much from these monthly occurrences that their professional or social lives are affected.
It’s very common to hear about the famous PMS (Premenstrual Syndrome), mainly because of intense mood swings or cravings for sweets. But PMS stands out for the many bodily discomforts it causes, like cramps, breast tenderness, abdominal bloating, and severe headaches.
How to Manage Menstrual Cycle Discomfort?
These discomforts can be managed or lessened by using appropriate medications for this period. However, with recurring pain and discomfort that interfere with a woman’s life, it is necessary to talk to your gynecologist.
Severe pain during the cycle may indicate endometriosis, and proper treatment is needed to solve the problem or at least to manage symptoms. In some cases, surgery may be needed to address the discomfort.
In general, menstrual cycle discomfort can be controlled with painkillers, a warm tea, and rest.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
