With certain periods of the menstrual cycle. What are the phases of the menstrual cycle, their number. Treatment of irregularities in the duration of the female cycle

Every month, girls and women who are ripe for childbearing experience bloody issues, lasting several days. Everyone knows about this, but why this happens and what is accompanied by it, not many representatives of the fair sex know. The fact that the full menstrual cycle consists of several phases surprises some women, which is not good. Regardless of whether a girl plans to become a mother or not, everyone should know what the female body is and how it functions.

Menstrual cycle- these are many cycles that begin from the moment a girl reaches puberty. Each cycle is the preparation of the body for the conception of a new life, and if fertilization does not occur, the period of removal of the unusable mucous membrane of the uterus begins in the form bleeding, then a new batch begins to be prepared, and so on in a circle. In this article we will take a detailed look at why the menstrual cycle exists, what each period (phase) is, and almost everything related to menstruation.

Duration of the menstrual cycle

There are no specific dates; everything is individual for each woman and depends on factors such as physiology, age and lifestyle. But there are general frameworks, so a full cycle lasts from 23 to 36 days, and the duration of the bleeding phase (phase 3 of the cycle) can last from 3 to 7 days. At first, young women may have an irregular menstrual cycle, i.e. The periods themselves may occur more often than once a month or, conversely, not occur for several months in a row. Over time, the cycle normalizes, menstruation occurs at a specific frequency, not counting cases where there are pathologies or diseases associated with the genitourinary or hormonal system.

Women have a limited supply of eggs. In general, over a lifetime, about 5 hundred menstrual cycles occur. The first cycle, within the normal range, occurs from 9 to 15 years, but usually somewhere around 12-13. Menstruation that begins at age 9 is considered early. Next comes menopause, it can happen at the age of 45, this is also individual for each woman. It is characterized by the fact that a woman’s reproductive function fades away. This is called menopause.

Phases of the menstrual cycle

Changes taking place in female ovaries and endometrium are divided into phases, of which there are 3.

The first phase is follicular or menstrual

The first day of the menstrual cycle is considered the first day of menstruation - excretion, the release of menstrual fluid from the vagina. This lasts, as mentioned above, from 3 to 7 days. In the first days, menstruation may be accompanied by painful sensations in the lower abdomen. This is due to the fact that under the influence of hormones, the mucous membrane of the uterus, which has grown during the previous menstrual cycle, is rejected.

In order for a new cycle to continue, the ovaries must begin producing new eggs. To do this, the gland located in the brain area, the pituitary gland, begins to produce follicle-stimulating hormone. During this process, the next follicles begin to mature in the ovaries; they are balls-bubbles that contain an unripe egg. After a certain number of these same follicles mature, the production of the hormone estrogen begins. Its level actively increases as the follicles mature.
As a result of follicle maturation, one of them becomes dominant. This is where the egg develops. At this time, the hormone estrogen is actively engaged in quickly delivering nutrients to the uterine mucosa and driving blood to it. In this way, the uterus prepares for the fact that in the event of pregnancy, the embryo will have all the necessary nutrients necessary for its growth and development. Estrogen also causes the lining of the uterus to become covered with mucus, which facilitates the accessible movement of sperm to a new, mature egg.

The second phase is ovulatory

While the dominant follicle develops and synthesizes estradiol, the rest undergo reverse development. A mature follicle, ready for the ovulation phase, is called a “graphic vesicle.”
The ovulatory phase lasts about 3 days. At this time, several waves of luteinizing hormone are released, and its concentration in the blood undergoes a significant increase. The release of this hormone leads to the completion of the development of the dominant follicle. At the same time, luteinizing hormone activates the production of other hormones and enzymes that contribute to the rupture of the wall of this follicle. As a result, 5-10 ml of follicular fluid is released, which contains the released mature egg - this is ovulation.

The third phase is lutenic or secretory

This phase is also called the “corpus luteum” phase. The corpus luteum phase is the time interval between the release of a mature egg from the follicle and the beginning of detachment of the mucous membrane, accompanied by the release of bloody menstrual fluid. This period is longer, approximately 10-15 days.
For some reason, many women believed that ovulation occurs exactly 14 days after the start of the menstrual cycle, but it can be earlier or later.
This day is important for those women who are planning a pregnancy. After all, it is at this time that the greatest likelihood of successful conception will occur.

Once released, the completed egg travels toward the uterus through the fallopian tube. An egg lives for about a day, while a sperm can live up to five days. Consequently, a sperm that enters the uterus a few days before ovulation can wait for a mature egg. Or vice versa, the egg waits 24 hours for the sperm to become pregnant.

As the egg moves, the follicle begins to produce progesterone, which prepares the lining of the uterus for the possibility of pregnancy. Also, at the same time, the follicle contracts, at the same time releasing estrogen. This hormone causes the mammary glands to swell and cause depression. emotional condition, sometimes bloating occurs.

After fertilization does not occur, the follicle shrinks. The level of hormones such as progesterone and estrogen in the blood drops. As the level of supporting and nourishing lining of the uterus drops, the endometrium begins to slough off. This is the end of one cycle and the beginning of another.

conclusions

Based on what we learned from this article, we can draw certain conclusions:

1. Any woman should know what processes occur in the body and how they are accompanied.
2. Knowing the details of the menstrual cycle, we can answer the question of why women are irritable and emotional during this period.
3. Knowing the norms for the duration of the menstrual cycle, you can determine whether your body is healthy or has a malfunction.
4. Knowing when the ovulatory phase begins, you can roughly calculate and plan the onset of pregnancy.
5. Knowing the personal time period of a complete cycle, you can determine whether pregnancy has occurred or not.

Conclusion

Any woman should take responsibility for herself and her health, especially if she plans to become a mother. To do this, you need to monitor your health and especially your menstrual cycle. If it is not standardized, menstruation occurs at different frequencies, i.e. more than once a month or at various intervals of more than a month - this indicates some problems. Or, if the menstrual fluid deviates from the norm in color, smell or quantity, if it lasts more than 7-9 days, this is also not normal.
Keep an eye on your cycle and health, this will ensure you a comfortable and fruitful life.

Surely, you know quite a lot about your menstrual cycle, for example, about the frequency and intensity of menstruation. Here we take a closer look at the female menstrual cycle, ovulation and periods. Of course, no website can replace a full consultation medical worker, however, we will help you compile general idea about how this happens.

Understanding your menstrual cycle

Duration female cycle not the same. The most common cycle length is 23 to 35 days. The difference in the length of the menstrual cycle usually concerns the period before ovulation (the so-called follicular or follicular phase). For most women, 12 to 16 days pass from ovulation (when the egg is released from the ovary) to the start of menstruation (the so-called luteal phase).

Phases of the menstrual cycle

Menstruation (periods)

The first day of the menstrual cycle is the first day of menstruation (day 1). Menstruation then lasts from 3 to 7 days. Surely you know that when you have menstrual pain, the most severe painful sensations you experience in the first few days of your period. This happens because your hormones actively promote the shedding of the uterine lining that has grown over the previous menstrual cycle.

Preparing for ovulation

At the beginning of your cycle, the pituitary gland, a gland located at the base of the brain, produces follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). This main hormone, which stimulates the ovaries to produce eggs. Follicles are fluid-filled sacs in the ovaries. Each follicle contains an immature egg. FSH promotes the maturation of a certain number of follicles and the production of the hormone estrogen. On the first day of menstruation, estrogen levels are at their lowest. It then begins to increase along with the maturation of the follicles.

As follicles develop, usually one of them becomes “dominant,” and the egg matures in that larger follicle. At the same time, the growing level of estrogen in the body is responsible for saturating the mucous membrane of the uterine cavity nutrients and blood. This is to ensure that in the event of pregnancy, the fertilized egg has all the nutrients and support it needs to grow. High levels of estrogen also promote the production of mucus, a “sperm-friendly” environment (or technically known as fertile-phase cervical mucus). You may have noticed a thin, sticky discharge that may have a cloudy whitish tint. Sperm move through this mucus more easily and survive for several days.

Your body produces hormones that control your menstrual cycle. At the beginning of the cycle, an important hormone is follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). An increase in FSH promotes the maturation of follicles in the ovaries (fluid-filled sacs containing one immature egg each) and the beginning of the production of a second hormone, estrogen.

Understanding the Ovulation Cycle

Ovulation

The level of estrogen in the body increases steadily, and at some point it leads to sharp increase luteinizing hormone levels (ovulatory LH surge). The surge of LH leads to the rupture of the dominant follicle and the release of a mature egg, which then enters the fallopian tube. This process is called ovulation.

Many women believe that ovulation occurs on day 14, but 14 days is average and most women tend to ovulate on a different day in their menstrual cycle. The day of ovulation differs from cycle to cycle. Some women claim to experience a painful cramp during ovulation, but most women feel nothing and ovulate without any symptoms.

The level of estrogen in the body is still rising and at some point it causes a sharp increase in LH - an LH surge. This LH surge initiates ovulation, the moment when an egg is released from the ovary. Although many women think that ovulation occurs on day 14, the actual day of ovulation depends on the length of your cycle. Some women experience cramping during ovulation.

After ovulation

Once released, the egg travels down the fallopian tube towards the uterus. Her life cycle– up to 24 hours. The life cycle of a sperm is more variable, however, and usually ranges from 3 to 5 days. Thus, the days immediately preceding ovulation and the day of ovulation itself are the most fertile - that's when you have the greatest chance of getting pregnant. Immediately after ovulation, the follicle begins to produce another hormone - progesterone.

Progesterone contributes to the subsequent preparation of the mucous membrane of the uterine cavity to receive a fertilized egg. Meanwhile, the empty follicle in the ovary begins to shrink, but continues to produce progesterone and begins to produce estrogen. During this time, you may experience premenstrual tension syndrome (PMS), such as breast tenderness, bloating, drowsiness, depression, and irritability.

Once released, the egg travels down the fallopian tube to the uterus. The egg lives from 12 to 24 hours, but due to the fact that sperm lives for several days, the greatest fertility and the most high probability get pregnant present during class unprotected sex on the day of ovulation and the day before. Immediately after ovulation, the destroyed follicle begins to produce another hormone called progesterone.

Preparing for your next period

When the empty follicle shrinks due to an unfertilized egg, estrogen and progesterone levels decrease. In the absence of a high level of hormones to maintain the necessary environment, the increased mass of the mucous membrane of the uterine cavity begins to peel off, and the body gets rid of it. This represents the beginning of menstruation and the beginning of the next cycle.

When the empty follicle shrinks, your progesterone levels decrease if the fertilized egg does not attach to the uterus. The uterus no longer needs to maintain the environment to support the baby, so the body needs to reset and prepare for the next cycle. Symptoms of premenstrual tension (PMT) will begin to subside. Without high levels of hormones to maintain the necessary environment, the formed uterine lining begins to break down and the body begins to eliminate it. This is the start of your period and the next cycle.

If the egg is fertilized and implanted in the uterus, the empty follicle is maintained by an increased level of the pregnancy hormone (human chorionic gonadotropin). The production of estrogen and progesterone continues for a long time until the placenta is strong enough to support the developing embryo.

The fertilized egg attaches to the lining of the uterine cavity. As a rule, this occurs a week after fertilization.

Once the egg is implanted, your body begins to produce the pregnancy hormone human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), which will keep the empty follicle active. It will continue to produce estrogen and progesterone to prevent the lining of the uterus from being shed until the placenta, which contains all the nutrients the embryo needs, has formed to support the pregnancy.

Nature has gifted women with many mysteries and miracles. Everyone should know what the menstrual cycle is, because it is thanks to it that you can calculate the days before ovulation and get pregnant safely or, conversely, protect yourself from unwanted pregnancy.

What is the menstrual cycle?

So, to the question of what the menstrual cycle is, the answer is simple. It's rhythmic physiological process, in which a woman is prepared for pregnancy. To explain in detail what the menstrual cycle is, we can say that it is a certain period of time that begins with the first day of menstruation and ends with the last day before the next menstruation. That is, the beginning of the menstrual cycle is the first day of menstruation.

The cycle is repeated monthly for all women, except pregnant and lactating women.

When a girl is born, about 1.5 million eggs are already deposited in her ovaries in utero. After puberty, their number decreases to 350-450 thousand pieces. After the onset of the first menstruation, once a month, one egg leaves the follicle and prepares for fertilization; if this does not happen, menstruation occurs.

Duration of the menstrual cycle

Girls begin their first periods between the ages of 11 and 14. At this time – the cycle may be of different durations, irregular. This is due to the girl’s incomplete hormonal stability. It may even take several years for the menstrual cycle to stabilize.

Many women wonder how many days does a normal menstrual cycle last? The duration of the menstrual cycle is individual for each woman, but it should be within the normal range - from 21 to 35 days. It happens that the duration of the menstrual cycle in women deviates from these figures by 2-3 units, but this is also considered the norm.

Interesting! The most ideal female cycle by day is 28 days. This is how long the menstrual cycle should last. But a slight difference from this figure does not mean pathology.

Normal parameters of the menstrual cycle

To answer the question of which menstrual cycle is considered normal, you should know how long a normal menstrual cycle is.

• The normal duration of menstruation is from 3 to 7 days. On average, menstruation lasts about 5 days.

During these days, a woman, if she has a normal menstrual cycle, loses no more than 60 ml of blood, on average - 40-50 ml.

• The normal duration of the menstrual cycle is from 21 to 35 days.

Phases of the menstrual cycle

There are 2 phases of the cycle, between which ovulation occurs.

First phase

What is the first phase? menstrual cycle? The onset of the menstrual cycle begins with follicular phase. The first phase of the menstrual cycle begins on the first day of menstruation and ends before the onset of ovulation. That is, it lasts about 14 days. The most important process in this phase is the maturation of the follicle, which occurs under the influence of follicle-stimulating hormone.

Follicles are small cavities containing an unripe egg. On the 1st day of menstruation, the level of follicle maturation is minimal, as well as low level estrogens (female hormones). As the days pass, these numbers increase.

So, on the 13th and 14th day of the cycle, the egg is ready to leave the follicle, and estrogens create favorable conditions for fertilization. They increase secretion cervical mucus, through which it is more convenient for sperm to move, and at this time they also regulate a good flow of blood with nutrients to the uterine mucosa, so that in the event of pregnancy, the fertilized egg does not need anything.

Ovulation

At this moment, the concentration of estrogen reaches its maximum. During this, the level of luteinizing hormone begins to increase. Under its action, the follicle ruptures and the egg is released into the fallopian tubes. To the question of how to count the day of ovulation, the answer is quite simple - this day makes up exactly half of the cycles. For example, for a woman who is on day 24 of her cycle, ovulation will occur in approximately 12-13 days, while for one who is on day 27 of her menstrual cycle, the egg will be released in 13-14 days.

Ovulation is not necessarily rhythmic; it can occur with a difference of 2-4 days. Many women feel the release of the egg in the form of aching pain in one of the ovaries or lower back.

Also during this phase, in women, it increases greatly sexual desire, the discharge becomes more abundant, mucous, the basal temperature rises and the skin becomes clearer (due to the maximum estrogen content).

Second phase

The second phase is called the luteal phase. After the egg leaves the follicle and passes through fallopian tubes, she goes towards the uterus. Its life cycle is 24 hours, and the sperm cycle is 3-5 days. Therefore, 3-4 days before ovulation and the day the egg is released are considered fertile, that is, days when there is a very high probability of pregnancy.

The empty follicle begins to produce progesterone, and a corpus luteum. Progesterone helps prepare the lining of the uterus for the attachment of a fertilized egg. The maximum amount of progesterone accumulates on days 6-8, after ovulation. Along with this hormone, the level of estrogen is also at an elevated level. As a result, women in the second phase experience symptoms such as:

• tearfulness;
• swelling of the mammary glands;
• irritability;
• swelling;
• increased appetite;
• headache;

If the egg is not fertilized, the concentration of progesterone and estrogen decreases significantly. Because of this, the process of endometrial rejection begins. This is how menstruation starts.

Menstruation also consists of several stages:

• First- desquamation. At this moment, the mucous layer of the uterus is directly rejected. How long this stage lasts, the woman will experience as many uncomfortable sensations.
• Second- regeneration. During this stage, healing and restoration of the epithelium occurs. The regeneration stage begins on days 4-5 of the cycle.

Reasons why the menstrual cycle is disrupted

Menstrual irregularities or absence of menstruation may indicate various abnormalities:

• stress. Outbursts of emotions greatly affect monthly cycle among women. This is due to a hormone imbalance that occurs during strong experiences. Therefore, you should not be surprised when after severe stress, menstruation comes a little earlier or with a delay;
• change in climatic conditions. Very often, the menstrual cycle can be disrupted due to a trip to somewhere where the climate is different from usual. Or this is possible during sudden warming or cooling;
• lifestyle changes. Even such changes as changes in diet, lack of sleep, exercise, sudden lack of sex, or, conversely, its appearance, can affect the delay of menstruation;
• body mass. The duration of the menstrual cycle may also depend on sudden weight loss or weight gain;
• past illnesses. We are talking about diseases such as -,. After these infections, the follicles may be delayed in maturation. It is worth considering that a delay in menstruation is possible even after undergoing;
• hormonal disorders. If a woman has problems with her work endocrine system, then it is quite possible for her to have a shift in her menstrual cycle. Most often this is observed in pathology thyroid gland, ovaries and adrenal glands;
• contraceptives. If you choose the wrong contraceptives, you may also experience a delay in menstruation. This is due to the fact that the basis of all medicines is restructuring hormonal levels, which affects the duration of the menstrual cycle. Therefore, you should select contraceptives carefully, and always with the help of a doctor;
• abortion. Abortion is a serious stress for the whole body. For recovery hormonal system time passes, so rather long delays in menstruation can be expected;
• pregnancy. One of the main "symptoms" of pregnancy is the lack of menstruation. To confirm this, you can do a test, or take an analysis for hCG. Human chorionic gonadotropin a person appears already 5-8 days after fertilization of the egg. This is the most reliable pregnancy test.

Types of menstrual irregularities

You can differentiate menstrual cycle disorders by its duration. To do this, you need to know which menstrual cycle is considered normal. So, there are these types of violations:

• Polymenorrhea. This term implies a short cycle, that is, if a woman has a cycle of 21 days or less. If a woman is on day 22 of her cycle, this is considered normal. With polymenorrhea, ovulation may not occur. This is dangerous due to the difficulty in getting pregnant.
• Oligomenorrhea. If a woman has oligomenorrhea, then menstruation can occur with a difference of 40-90 days. That is, a situation where the menstrual cycle is 40 days can be considered a deviation. One of its manifestations is constant irregularity of menstruation, as well as scanty and light bleeding.
• Amenorrhea. This diagnosis is confirmed if a woman’s menstruation delay lasts more than 6 months. can be primary and secondary. Primary – when, in girls over 18 years of age, menstruation did not begin at all. Secondary - when menstruation suddenly stops, although before this, the woman had a normal menstrual cycle.
• Dysmenorrhea. The term means irregular menstruation, that is, constant shifts in the menstrual cycle. For example, if a woman’s cycle consists of 27 days, and her period begins on the 21st day of the cycle, this is considered dysmenorrhea. Or vice versa, when the cycle consists of 30 days, and menstruation began on the 24th day of the cycle, it is also considered a pathology.

It is possible to differentiate menstrual irregularities based on the nature of the bleeding:

• Scanty discharge(). In this case, only spotting bleeding is observed, with a cycle duration of 3-4 days. Usually for a woman they pass normally with absolutely pronounced premenstrual syndrome(no feeling of weakness, nagging pain lower abdomen and lower back).
• Heavy discharge. Discharge of more than 250 ml per cycle is considered heavy. The duration of menstruation in such women is 6-7 days, with the presence of pronounced premenstrual syndrome.
• Intermenstrual discharge. If spotting appears after menstruation, this is a reason to consult a doctor, as it may indicate a serious pathology. During the release of the egg (in the middle of the cycles), a few drops of blood may be released due to damage to the endometrium. But, do not confuse intermenstrual bleeding with a small amount of blood during ovulation. It is worth noting that during such discharge the duration of the menstrual cycle should not change.

Which doctor should I contact?

If there are shifts in the menstrual cycle, a woman should consult a gynecologist. After an examination in a gynecological chair, the doctor may suspect a pathology associated with delayed menstruation. But, to clarify and confirm the diagnosis, a woman needs:

• pass general analysis blood;
• submit a smear for microscopic examination;
• do an ultrasound of the genital organs.

If necessary, you may need to undergo CT or MRI examinations. Also, if the reason that caused the delay is associated with damage to other organs, you will need to consult a doctor of another specialization.

Treatment of menstrual disorders

Treatment of menstrual irregularities can be different, depending on the cause of the pathology. If a woman does not have a normal menstrual cycle, the problem is treated with conservative, surgical, folk and mixed methods.

Conservative treatment

Medicines are selected based on the cause of menstrual irregularities.

• for irregular periods, women are prescribed oral contraceptives. The disadvantage of using these drugs is that quite often there are situations of individual intolerance to contraceptives, as well as a temporary effect (when a woman stops taking the drugs, the cycle starts again);
• hormones. If the absence of menstruation is associated with hormonal imbalances, the doctor may prescribe synthetic analogues of hormones. After a course of treatment with them, the menstrual cycle in women is completely normalized;
• hemostatic drugs. Such drugs are prescribed to women with heavy blood loss. It is worth remembering that you cannot take such drugs spontaneously, as they cause complications in the form of thrombosis.

Surgery

Surgery may be necessary for women who have cysts or ovarian tumors. Also, surgical resolution is required for accumulation blood clots in the uterine cavity.

Typically, all of the above operations are carried out under general anesthesia. How long does it last? surgery– depends on the pathology.

Important! After surgical intervention, the woman will need and conservative treatment. No reception medicines, the intended effect is not achieved, the normal menstrual cycle may not return.

Traditional methods of treatment

Treatment folk ways must be discussed with your doctor.

Remedy for painful menstruation

If a woman has a normal menstrual cycle, but is characterized by pain, a remedy can be prepared to reduce pain on these days. A decoction should be prepared from horsetail. To do this, you will need the leaves of the plant, which need to be poured with boiling water and then allowed to brew for 3-4 hours. You need to drink a decoction of 1 tbsp every 3 hours.

The product helps especially well on the first day of menstruation - the most painful of all cycles.

Remedy for absence of menstruation

For amenorrhea, you can prepare a decoction of onion peel. To do this, pour the husk from 1 kg of onion with 1.5 liters of water. Boil until the water turns dark red. After the prepared mixture has cooled, it can be taken half a glass 3 times a day.

Remedy for menstrual irregularities

If a woman has a cycle disorder and her periods are irregular, then you can prepare a decoction of parsley seeds. To do this, crushed seeds (3 tsp) should be poured with a glass of boiling water. After that, the broth must be cooled and filtered. You need to take it 1 tbsp 3-4 times a day. Recovery normal cycles– the course of treatment will be 1 month.

If a woman’s monthly cycle is disrupted for any reason, it is necessary to consult a doctor, as self-medication can lead to multiple complications.

The menstrual cycle is a complex periodic process consisting of phases, each of which has its own characteristics. As a rule, its duration is 28 days, but this parameter is individual and normally can be 21-35 days.

What phases does the menstrual cycle consist of?

The entire cycle consists of 3 phases:

• follicular;
• ovulatory;
• luteal phase, each of which has its own characteristics.

Let's look at the phases of the menstrual cycle by day.

So, the first phase is follicular, and lasts on average 14 days. It begins with menstruation, i.e. In the first 4-5 days of this phase, bleeding is observed. After this, the body begins to gradually prepare for possible pregnancy. At the same time, the production of estrogen increases, which promotes the growth of follicles and also has a direct effect on the maturation of the egg. It is in this phase that the growth of new epithelium begins, and the uterus gradually prepares for implantation.

If we talk about what day of the cycle the ovulatory phase begins, then this is 14-15 days from the beginning of menstruation. Despite its short duration (approximately 3 days), this phase has very great importance for the formation of new life. Immediately at this time, a mature egg, ready for fertilization, is released into the abdominal cavity, i.e. .

Speaking about what day of the cycle the luteal phase begins, it should be noted that this period of time lasts from ovulation to the onset of new pregnancy. It occurs approximately 15-17 days after the start of menstruation. Its duration, on average, is 14 days.

At this time, the uterus is actively preparing to receive an egg. If fertilization occurs, after some time it becomes fixed in the uterine cavity. In the opposite case, a gradual rejection of the outer layer of the endometrium occurs, and then a new cycle begins.

What else do you need to know about the menstrual cycle?

Having examined all the phases of the female menstrual cycle by day, it should be noted that in fact, one or another phase does not always begin exactly at specified period. After all, each organism is individual. Moreover, the menstrual cycle itself is quite subtle and difficult process, the normal course of which depends on many factors, and it directly affects the female reproductive health and well-being in general.

Articles on the topic

Usually it falls on the mother's shoulders to tell her daughter about physiological characteristics female and explain what menstruation is and how it occurs. Next, we’ll talk about when girls should get their first periods and what it depends on.

In this analysis, the “ideal” 28-day cycle is taken as an example.

Day 1

The day menstrual bleeding begins is the first day of the cycle. Bleeding occurs due to the rejection of the endometrium - the layer of the uterine mucosa, the “featherbed”. This happens against the background of a decrease in the concentration of the main “female” hormones - progesterone and estrogen. During this period, the number of prostaglandins (pain mediators) that stimulate uterine contractility increases. What is good for the body (the uterus contracts, getting rid of the old endometrium), becomes an extremely unpleasant moment for a woman Everyday life, because the first day of menstruation is in most cases accompanied by pain and heaviness in the lower abdomen. Painkillers often taken during this period have serious side effects- irritate the gastric mucosa, and, as a result, contribute to the development peptic ulcer. That is why the best approach to solving the problem is menstrual cramps- taking natural medications.

Day 2
The most “important” follicle, which bears the egg, begins to develop in the body. Discomfort and soreness may persist, but sensitivity to pain is still high. We so want to be beautiful, but it is at this moment that hormones work against us. Due to low estrogen production, the activity of sweat and sebaceous glands becomes more intense. It is important to pay more attention to your skin, such as using soft makeup. It should be remembered that hair is now changing its chemical structure and are less easy to style, and hair coloring done during menstruation lasts less. During this period, you should postpone a visit to the dentist, hair removal and other unpleasant manipulations for 4-5 days.

Day 3

In the uterus, after rejection of the mucous membrane, a wound surface is formed, in addition, the cervix these days is as open as possible. Due to these factors, there is a high probability of infection, which means it is advisable to abstain from sex, or at least protect yourself with barrier contraception methods.

Day 4

“Critical days” are coming to an end, and therefore the mood is significantly elevated, but you should not overestimate yourself. At this time, any activity related to large areas is contraindicated. physical activity However, light morning exercise helps reduce the duration of menstruation and the amount of blood loss.

Day 5

The healing process in the uterus is completed. On average, during normal menstruation a woman loses about 100 ml of blood, which is not so much, but if menstruation lasts more than 5 days and the discharge is heavy, then the woman may develop iron deficiency anemia.

Days 6 and 7

In a renewed body, metabolism accelerates - excess calories are burned more intensely, protein for muscles is more actively synthesized, fat is broken down, and general tone body, endurance and strength. The “important” follicle, which increases in size every day, produces more and more estrogen. At the same time, the level of testosterone begins to increase, which responds to female body for qualities usually attributed to men: a sharp mind, good performance, excellent memory and the ability to concentrate. Estrogen and testosterone together drive away habitual drowsiness, giving vigor and freshness of thoughts better than any coffee.

Day 8

Nowadays, the concentration of estrogen in the blood, the main hormone of femininity, is increasing every day. Skin, hair and nails become most susceptible to various cosmetic procedures and just glow with health. After the depilation carried out these days, the skin remains smooth and tender longer than usual.

Days 9 and 10

There is nothing left until ovulation. These days, the chances of getting pregnant increase significantly. If you are dreaming of having a girl, now is your time! There is a theory that X-chromosome spermatozoa (which determine the female sex of the unborn child) are able to “wait” for the release of the egg from the ovary in the female genital tract longer, so you have about 4-5 days left. On the day of ovulation and immediately after it, the possibility of conceiving a boy increases.

Days 11 and 12

By this day, thoughts about work are increasingly moving away, and about love really absorbs your entire consciousness. The main hormones responsible for female sexuality and libido occupy a leading position. A woman's excitability and sensitivity of erogenous zones increases, and a special smell appears that can attract male attention.

Days 13 and 14

Under the influence of estrogen, the wall of the mature follicle bursts, and the egg is released into the abdominal cavity. This releases a small amount of blood into the abdominal cavity, and some women may even feel tenderness in the lower abdomen on the right or left (depending on which ovary ovulated in). When it enters the abdominal cavity, the egg is captured by the fallopian tube and sent towards " masculine" On the day of ovulation, a woman has the highest libido and is able to experience the most vivid sensations from intimacy with a man. Sexologists say that if a woman regularly abstains from sex during the days of ovulation (for fear of an unwanted pregnancy) and does not experience orgasm, then her libido can steadily decrease over time. In order for sperm to reach the egg as quickly as possible, the mucus that protects the entrance to the uterus is liquefied, and casual sex these days is fraught with sexually transmitted diseases.

Day 15

At the site of the burst follicle, a corpus luteum begins to form. This is a special formation, and, regardless of whether fertilization has occurred or not, it will prepare the body for pregnancy within 7-8 days. The corpus luteum begins to produce the hormone progesterone, the main hormone of pregnancy, its goal is to turn an active and carefree girl into an expectant mother.

Day 16

Progesterone begins to prepare the uterine lining for egg implantation. Be especially careful with carbohydrates, as in this phase of the cycle your appetite increases and weight gain occurs most quickly.

Day 17 and 18

The body actively stores nutrients for the future, as a result of which fat metabolism changes. Excess fat significantly spoils the figure and creates increased stress on the heart and blood vessels. Therefore, during this phase of the cycle, try to increase the proportion of vegetable fats in your daily diet, add garlic and red fish to your diet, enrich your diet fermented milk products and fiber.

Day 19

Although ovulation is already behind us, during the second phase of the cycle the body retains quite high level testosterone, which increases libido. Testosterone production is higher in the morning - fill the dawn hours with passion and tenderness.

Day 20

The blossoming of the corpus luteum and the concentration of progesterone in the blood reaches its maximum value. At this time, the egg, moving through the fallopian tube, approaches the uterus. It is believed that from this day on, the likelihood of pregnancy is significantly reduced.

Days 21 and 22

On the background higher level progesterone, which acts as an antidepressant, we become “impenetrable” to troubles and other stressful situations.

Day 23

There are changes in the structure connective tissue: hypermobility appears in the joints, ligaments become more stretchable. Women receive the greatest number of injuries, especially those related to sports, on these days.

Day 24

These days, due to the difference in hormone levels, there may be problems with bowel function. The activity of the sebaceous glands increases, pores expand, and acne may appear. Try to pay more attention to your diet these days.

Day 25

A woman has a special smell that allows a man to feel that a forced period of abstinence is coming. It is likely that this fact is the reason for the synchronization of cycles in several women living together for a long time.

Days 26 to 28

A woman becomes sensitive and vulnerable, at this time she needs support. The mammary glands become engorged and painful, daytime sleepiness, headache, a sense of anxiety, lethargy and irritability - is this quite enough to spoil the mood? Experts believe that chocolate and sex can become an excellent medicine these days.

Reproductive system responsible for human reproduction. The main links of this system are the hypothalamus, pituitary gland, ovaries and uterus. Outside of pregnancy, a woman's reproductive system works cyclically. The most striking manifestation of its cyclic function is regular menstruation.

Menses is regular monthly bleeding from a woman’s vagina. Menstruation is one of the most striking features inherent only to the female body.

All processes in the reproductive system of a mature woman occur cyclically, i.e. with a certain periodicity, repeatability, and the most striking manifestation of the end of one cycle and the beginning of another is menstruation.

Menstrual cycle- this is the period from one menstruation to another and is considered from the first day of the previous menstruation to the first day of the next.

The normal duration of the menstrual cycle is 21-35 days. In addition to duration, regularity is very important here. Ideally, the duration of the individual cycle does not change from month to month. Fluctuations within 3 days are acceptable. Consider a standard 28-day cycle. Normally healthy woman the menstrual cycle has 2 phases. With a 28-day cycle, the first and second phases take 14 days each. In the first 14 days, a woman’s body prepares for a possible pregnancy. In the brain, the pituitary gland produces two main hormones that affect a woman's menstrual cycle: follicle-stimulating (FSH) and luteinizing (LH).

Under the influence of FSH, an egg matures in one of the ovaries, and a thickening of the inner membrane occurs in the uterus in order to accept a fertilized egg. The main hormone secreted into the blood is estrogen. It helps a woman look good, active and cheerful.

After 2 weeks it happens ovulation- release of a mature egg from the ovary.

This process occurs due to a sharp increase in the level of LH in the blood, which reaches its peak. At this point, some women experience slight pulling sensations in the lower abdomen. Very rarely there may be spotting bloody discharge from the genital tract. After the egg is released into the abdominal cavity, it is captured in the ampulla fallopian tube and very slowly begins to move along it. If at this moment spermatozoa meet on her way, fertilization will occur and pregnancy will occur.

From the moment of ovulation, the second phase of the cycle begins, its main hormone is progesterone. At this time, at the site of release of the egg in the ovary, under the influence of LH, the corpus luteum matures, which, in the event of pregnancy, will initially ensure its safety. In the uterus inner shell loosens to accept the fertilized egg. If the egg is not fertilized, hormone levels drop sharply and the lining of the uterus is gradually shed along with a small amount of blood - menstruation begins. This is where one menstrual cycle ends and the next one begins.

The “ideal” menstrual cycle is considered to be an ovulatory, fully hormonally provided menstrual cycle lasting 28-30 days.

Many gynecological and serious therapeutic diseases may cause breakdown reproductive system, which will be reflected in all sorts of menstrual irregularities (bleeding, irregular menstruation, their absence) and infertility.

Types of menstrual dysfunction

Primary amenorrhea- absence of independent menstruation in a woman’s life

Secondary amenorrhea- absence of independent menstruation for 6 months or more

Polymenorrhea - frequent menstruation(cycle less than 21 days)

Oligomenorrhea- rare menstruation (cycle more than 35 days)

Dysmenorrhea- painful menstruation

Metrorrhagia- irregular uterine bleeding

Menometrorrhagia- heavy, frequent, prolonged menstruation

Dysfunctional uterine bleeding- abnormal uterine bleeding caused by hormonal imbalances in the reproductive system.

Among menstrual dysfunctions, the most common are irregular menstruation, insufficiency of the second (luteal) phase of the menstrual cycle (LLP) and anovulation (lack of ovulation).

Why is ovulation necessary?

Ovulation- is the release of a mature egg capable of fertilization from the ovarian follicle.

Ovulation - the most important condition for pregnancy. In women of childbearing age, it occurs in almost every cycle. Its frequency is regulated by hormones of the hypothalamus, pituitary gland and ovaries.

Signs of ovulation may be short-term pain in the lower abdomen, increased mucous discharge from the vagina in the middle of the cycle, decreased basal temperature on the day of ovulation with its subsequent increase.

Objective diagnosis of ovulation is possible based on ultrasound data, ovulation tests, and the level of progesterone in the blood plasma on days 21-23 of the cycle.

Anovulation- a condition in which a woman does not ovulate. Among the causes of infertility, ovulation disorders account for 27%.

Violation of ovulation processes ( late ovulation, its absence) leads not only to a violation reproductive function- infertility, but also to NLF, and, consequently, menstrual irregularities - rare irregular menstruation, dysfunctional uterine bleeding.