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Menstrual Cycle
By admin | October 18, 2007
Have you ever wondered what actually happens in your body in 28 days? Read this article carefully and start exploring and know your body more. That is very important part of understanding of whole image of your body and your perception of it.
Scientists believe that before electricity was developed, the Moon had the biggest impact on women’s body and her menstrual cycle. Almost all women cycled together. But nowadays, when people are using technology and electricity every day, women have their menstrual cycle individually ( not including the women who live together ).
Menstruation is a normal part of every woman’s life. Having on mind that women first get their periods when they’re 12-13 years old, and that menopause starts usually when a woman reaches around 45 it’s not hard to calculate that an average female spends almost 7 years cycling.
Menstruation ( 1-4 days )
It’s also called menses, period, menstrual bleeding or catamenia. It’s also a sign that a woman is not pregnant, but cannot be taken as certainity. Failure to get period in the years of fertility might be a sign that a woman is pregnant. The average blood loss during menses is about 35 millilitres ( 20-80 millilitres is also considered normal ). Because of this blood loss, women have higher need for iron.
Follicular phase ( 5-13th day )
Through the influence of a rise in follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), five to seven tertiary-stage ovarian follicles are recruited for entry into the next menstrual cycle. These follicles, that have been growing for the better part of a year in a process known as folliculogenesis, compete with each other for dominance. Under the influence of several hormones, all but one of these follicles will undergo atresia, while one (or occasionally two) dominant follicles will continue to maturity. As they mature, the follicles secrete increasing amounts of estradiol, an oestrogen.
The oestrogens that follicles secrete, initiate the formation of a new layer of endometrium in the uterus, histologically identified as the proliferative endometrium. The estrogen also stimulates crypts in the cervix to produce fertile cervical mucus, which may be noticed by women practicing fertility awareness.
Ovulation ( 14th day )
In the middle of woman’s cycle, ovulation begins. When the egg has matured, it secretes enough estradiol to trigger the acute release of luteinizing hormone (LH). In the average cycle this LH surge starts around cycle day 12 and may last 48 hours. The release of LH matures the egg and weakens the wall of the follicle in the ovary. This process leads to ovulation: the release of the now mature ovum, the largest cell of the body (with a diameter of about 0.5 mm). Which of the two ovaries — left or right — ovulates appears essentially random; no known left/right co-ordination exists. The Fallopian tube needs to capture the egg and provide the site for fertilization.
Luteal phase ( 15-28th day)
The corpus luteum is the solid body formed in the ovaries after the egg has been released into the fallopian tube which continues to grow and divide for a while. After ovulation, the residual follicle transforms into the corpus luteum under the support of the pituitary hormones. This corpus luteum will produce progesterone in addition to estrogens for approximately the next 2 weeks. Progesterone plays a vital role in converting the proliferative endometrium into a secretory lining receptive for implantation and supportive of the early pregnancy. It raises the body temperature by one-half to one degree Fahrenheit (one-quarter to one-half degree Celsius), thus women who record their temperature on a daily basis will notice that they have entered the luteal phase. If fertilization of an egg has occurred, it will travel as an early blastocyst through the fallopian tube to the uterine cavity and implant itself 6 to 12 days after ovulation. Shortly after implantation, the growing embryo will signal its existence to the maternal system. One very early signal consists of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), a hormone that pregnancy tests can measure. This signal has an important role in maintaining the corpus luteum and enabling it to continue to produce progesterone. In the absence of a pregnancy and without hCG, the corpus luteum demises and inhibin and progesterone levels fall. This will set the stage for the next cycle. Progesterone withdrawal leads to menstrual shedding (progesterone withdrawal bleeding), and falling inhibin levels allow FSH levels to rise to raise a new crop of follicles.
Women may have different problems with their periods. Starting form cramps, heavy bleeding to skipping periods.
1. Amenorrhea – the lack of menstrual bleeding.Causes can include pregnancy, breastfeeding, and extreme weight loss caused by serious illness, eating disorders, excessive exercising, or stress. Hormonal problems, such as those caused by polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) or problems with the reproductive organs, may be involved. It is important to talk to a doctor.
2. Dysmenorrhea – painful periods, including severe cramps. When menstrual cramps occur in teens, the cause is too much of a chemical called prostaglandin. Most teens with dysmenorrhea do not have a serious disease even though the cramps can be severe. In older women, a disease or condition, such as uterine fibroids or endometriosis, sometimes causes the pain. For some women, using a heating pad or taking a warm bath helps ease their cramps. Some pain medicines available over the counter, such as ibuprofen (for instance, Advil®, Motrin®, Midol® Cramp), ketoprofen (for instance, Orudis® KT®), or naproxen (for instance, Aleve®), can help with these symptoms. If the pain still isn’t relieved, you should see your doctor and talk about your menstrual problems.
3. Abnormal uterine bleeding– vaginal bleeding that is different from normal menstrual periods. It includes very heavy bleeding or unusually long periods, periods too close together, and bleeding between periods. In both teens and women nearing menopause, hormonal changes can cause long periods along with irregular cycles. Even if the cause is hormonal changes, treatment is available. These changes can also go along with other serious medical problems such as uterine fibroids, polyps, or even cancer. If any of these changes occur, you shouldn’t delay to see your family doctor or gyno.
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