How many days between periods should be normal?

Menstrual bleeding begins in the fair sex in early youth and accompanies them until almost 50 years of age (and for some this process lasts even longer). The monthly cycle (after the first 2-3 years after appearance) becomes stable. Woman calculating approximate dates the onset of the next menstruation, and when there are delays or menstruation comes earlier than she expected, she begins to worry.

Each of us has our own norm for the interval between menstruation. Let's look at when you shouldn't worry about minor deviations, and when you need to see a doctor.

1. How is the cycle between menstruation calculated?
2. How many days between periods is normal?
3. How many days are there between ovulation and the start of your next period?
4. Small cycle between periods
5. Long break between periods
6. Bleeding between cycles: what to do?

How to correctly count the cycle between menstruation

Sometimes young girls, due to inexperience, count the time of the expected onset of menstruation according to a certain calendar date. For example, in September the “red days of the calendar” came on the 2nd - and they wait for them on the 2nd in October and get scared if this does not happen.

In fact, everyone is new monthly cycle begins on the first day of bleeding. The break between this first day and the first day of the next menstruation is the length of the cycle. This interval is different for everyone. It may be equal to:

• 24 days;
• 28 days;
• 31 days.

All these are variants of the norm. You can find out which cycle between periods is considered normal by looking at a medical school textbook. If the interval between the first days of your cycles is from 21 to 35 days, and this always happens with slight deviations, everything is in order. But it also happens differently. Knowing how to calculate the cycle correctly, you can determine whether there is a reproductive system failures. You should count every month, for which you need to get yourself a pocket calendar and mark the first day of the appearance of spotting there.

What should the cycle be like between periods?

How many days should pass between periods? There is no clear answer to this question. Reason: every woman’s body works in its own way, so everyone’s cycle lasts differently.

On average, it is believed that the duration of one cycle is 28 days. This is exactly what birth control pills do to create an “artificial cycle.” hormonal pills. However, in life everything is far from being so ideal. Gynecologists accept cycles with intervals of 21 (the shortest) to 35 (the longest) days as normal. These gaps allow the reproductive system to carry out the entire process of preparation for conception and implantation of the embryo without disruption. During this period, the woman’s body manages to:

• “grow” a dominant follicle;
• rupture it and release the mature egg;
• prepare a “lush” layer of endometrium in the uterus;
• to support pregnancy.

If significantly more or less time passes, and the break becomes shorter or longer, it means that some processes are going wrong. The cycle should be such that the numbers from 21 to 35 days are observed. Of course, one-time failures are possible - doctors in such cases attribute violations to:

• ARVI;
• exacerbation of chronic diseases;
• change in climatic conditions;
• stress.

But if the failure recurs, be sure to go to the antenatal clinic. It is necessary to be examined.

When does ovulation occur after menstruation?

The length of the cycle depends on whether (or whether) it occurs at all. Normally, most often 14 days after the egg leaves the dominant follicle in abdominal cavity, menstruation begins. There should be 14 days between ovulation and menstruation. Normally, minor deviations are possible within 1-2 days.

If you have normal cycle at 28 days, but for some reason earlier - on the 11-12th day, menstruation will come on the 25-26th day of the cycle. This happens after successful treatment diseases when the body recovers well and quickly. Another reason is a long vacation in a warm climate, at sea or mineral springs. Menstruation occurs a little earlier than usual - there is no need to be afraid of this, unless it comes before 21 days.

The second half of the cycle lasts two weeks, but the first can take longer - for example, this month you have suffered serious stress. The egg matures slowly, the menstruation “collects” only on the 31st-31st day. All these are variants of the norm.

Perhaps your cycle is always 21 days. A short cycle is typical for young girls. The main thing is to make sure that it is regular. A month is also good if this always happens. The cycle lengthens slightly in adult women with established menstruation. Closer to menopause, the cycle can lengthen to 40-48 days.

Can ovulation occur immediately after menstruation?

Immediately after the completion of the previous cycle, ovulation cannot occur. After all, the body needs to do hard work to prepare for pregnancy. It takes several days before the new dominant follicle matures.

That is why the first 8-10 days after the start of menstruation are conventionally considered safe days regarding conception. Based on this calendar method protection from pregnancy.

However, it is impossible to predict how the female body will behave when changing lifestyle and other circumstances. Therefore, theoretically, there are cases when conception can occur on the 7-8th day of the cycle - if it suddenly has time to mature during this time. Then there would be a very short break - less than 21 days.

Regarding fertilization, you need to know the fact that sperm can live in a woman’s genitals for up to 7 days after intercourse. That is, conception immediately after menstruation is possible, and the days that are called safe in the ovulation calculator are conditionally safe.

Malfunctions in the reproductive system occur due to various reasons. Between the first and second menstruation, a minimum break is possible in adolescence and during menopausal changes. Premenopause is characterized by an increase in the period between menstruation.

If the amount is produced, then the egg may not mature at all - the cycle will be shortened. Reduced follicular phase(the first half of the cycle, when the eggs in the follicles mature). Normally it lasts a little less than 2 weeks. In this case, the interval between the beginning of menstruation and the starting point of the secretory phase will be less than 7 days. The shortest normal cycle is 21 days. If it is shorter, you may have . This can be diagnosed with an ultrasound, but you will need to go through it several times.

Now we know what the break between periods should be - average and shortest. And what can be the longest - but at the same time the reproductive system works normally?

Longest cycle between periods

If your cycle is more than 28 but less than 36 days, don’t worry, everything is fine. A long cycle between periods only means that the first half of the cycle (follicular) is long. Given your hormonal background, the body needs more time to mature the oocyte.

The normal interval between menstruation is up to 35 days. If it is more, this allows one to suspect a violation: the production of hormones is not happening correctly. The cycle lengthens after 45 years, as the process of maturation of the egg undergoes changes.

In women of average reproductive age Oligomenorrhea may occur - a condition when the period between menstruation reaches 40 days or more. This condition requires treatment: the function of the ovaries is impaired, and they may be depleted. Oligomenorrhea is often accompanied by acne rashes on the face, back, and an increase in the hormone testosterone, under the influence of which ovulation is suppressed. The periods themselves are scanty.

Disturbances in the production of hormones by the hypothalamus, pituitary gland, incorrect operation- all this can lead to a lengthening of the cycle. If you are, it is necessary to conduct an examination, and if any violations are detected, treatment is necessary.

Bloody discharge between periods

Sometimes observed bleeding between menstruation, the causes of which are very different. The main thing to remember is bloody issues, even if they occur without pain and are not abundant, this is always a reason to consult a doctor.

What happens to the body during critical days

At its core, the process of puberty is quite unique. Menstruation begins for the first time in young girls and is the first stage in the process of puberty. During this period, brain hormones affect the ovaries. In the process of such an effect on the ovaries, a hormonal signal “forces” one of the eggs to mature, and they female body from 100 to 150 thousand. At the same time in suits the uterus the process of preparing the mucous membrane and its thickness increases several times. The lining of the uterus becomes soft, ready to receive an embryo.

In about two weeks, from initial stage maturation of the egg, ovulation occurs (release into fallopian tube mature egg_. If it does not unite with the sperm there and is not fertilized, the egg dies. It turns out that the prepared “bed” is not needed for future life and the body rejects such a uterine wall. Such a process healthy woman should occur monthly, before menopause occurs.

How they can leak critical days

Critical days begin between the ages of 11 and 15 - it depends on individual characteristics girls and from hereditary characteristics. If the process of menstruation does not begin until the age of 17, then you need to contact a specialist, because this is a serious violation in the development of a girl. The normal duration of the menstrual cycle is from 21 to 35 days. If there are serious deviations from the desired cycle, then you need to consult a gynecologist, as ovarian function may be impaired. Menstruation should last 3-7 days. Especially heavy discharge in the first 2 days, then insignificant discharge. If a woman has an intrauterine device, her periods may be more profuse and painful. If critical days last more than seven days, then you urgently need to consult a doctor for examination.

Such natural process How can critical days progress? various symptoms. But the symptoms are understandable, since brain hormones affect the entire body. Usually these are symptoms such as swelling and pain in the chest, nagging pain lower abdomen, dizziness, weakness. For some, breathing quickens, blood pressure rises, and pulse quickens. Women also complain of pain in lumbar region, heavy legs, frequent urination. Many of us have experienced this and these are the signs premenstrual syndrome. Also, some women do not observe any changes in the body at all. All these symptoms depend on the characteristics of each woman’s body. But if one of the symptoms is so strong that it is impossible to get up from the pastel, then this is a reason to seek help from a specialist.

What not to be afraid of during menstruation

Many women panic that they have heavy discharge during menstrual periods and have an unpleasant specific smell. A woman should not be afraid of this, the specific smell is normal, and the blood that she loses during this process tends to be restored quickly.

Also, many women have fears due to the fact that the discharge occurs with blood clots. But there is no need to panic, this phenomenon occurs due to the fact that enzymes cannot cope with the abundance of secretions and allow blood clots to pass through. Blood clots are blood that collects and coagulates in the vagina. In addition, clots during menstruation can occur in women who have a coil in their body.

During critical days, many women experience changes in their emotional state. They usually become irritable and more emotional. It's connected with unpleasant symptoms that accompany such a process. Especially during such a period, you don’t want to do serious things, but if there is no choice, then behavior arises accordingly. In addition, in the first days of menstruation, a woman does not sleep well at night, as the number of urinations increases. Lack of sleep also affects a woman's condition. Therefore, advice to those closest to you is to be attentive to the woman during such periods.

Menstruation is a consequence of long-term hormonal processes in the body. From month to month the body prepares for the onset possible pregnancy. Every month the mucous membrane grows, only to peel off again. Menstruation carries no one therapeutic effect, and do not cleanse the body and do not remove harmful substances from it.

What happens in the body during menstruation?

Shortly before the end of the cycle, the mucous membrane that covers inner surface uterus, ready to receive a fertilized egg. But if fertilization does not occur, the level of hormones in the blood drops sharply, and this entails a whole chain of processes. As a result, the mucous membrane begins to disintegrate and peel off, subsequently coming out along with the blood.

These phenomena do not occur immediately over the entire surface of the mucosa, but gradually. The leaking blood is a consequence of individual small bleedings that last no more than an hour, until the endometrial particles are completely torn away from the entire surface.

The normal duration of menstruation is on average three to five days. But at the same time, both long periods of up to 8 days and short periods of two days are not considered an anomaly. As a rule, the duration of menstruation increases if a woman uses the IUD, and decreases if she takes birth control pills.

How much blood is lost during menstruation?

From 50 to 100 grams. Such losses are very quickly compensated by the female body. The statement that menstruation can lead to anemia is fundamentally false. It can occur if menstruation occurs very often or they are very heavy.

The duration of menstruation, as well as the volume of blood released, is individual for each woman and can vary from cycle to cycle. The abundance and duration of menstruation directly depends on the density of the mucous membrane.

What does menstrual fluid consist of?

At its core, it consists of blood, as well as the secretion secreted by the uterine glands, particles of the uterine mucosa and cells of the vaginal epithelium. Typically, menstrual fluid does not form clots.

Should I be concerned if my menstrual fluid contains clots?

Not worth it. They formed because there was quite a lot of discharge, and the enzymes did not cope with the task and let “unprocessed blood” pass through. While you were lying, it accumulated and curled up, and when you stood up, the clots came out. But if heavy periods are not for you normal phenomenon, then this is precisely the cause for concern.

Where does blood come from during menstruation?

It flows from the uterine cavity through the opening of the cervix, lingering briefly in the vagina, and then exits through the opening in the hymen. There are cases when there is no hole in the hymen. Luckily they are very rare and easy to recognize. The accumulation of blood in the vagina causes sharp pain, but a small surgical incision will solve this problem.

Where does the smell of menstrual flow come from?

Menstrual discharge is sterile, despite its Brown color. They come from the uterus and are not at all contagious or dirty. They acquire their smell while in the vagina, where microbes are always found. If you don't like the smell, try to change your pads more often and sometimes douche your vagina with warm water.

How many days a woman’s menstruation lasts is influenced by many factors, including the physiological characteristics of the body and lifestyle. Significant deviations from the norm and instability of the menstrual cycle are symptoms of diseases of the reproductive system. Only a gynecological examination will help determine the cause of the disorders. You should not put off visiting a doctor in the hope that everything will get better on its own. An advanced disease is more difficult to treat, and its consequences can be serious.

Content:

Normal and pathological menstruation in women of reproductive age

The normal duration of menstrual bleeding should be 3-7 days. The body is weakened these days due to blood loss. The woman quickly gets tired and feels weak. Arises headache. All these ailments are normal, they do not last long and disappear with the end of menstruation. Normal menstruation is characterized by the release of blood with a total volume of 50 to 80 ml.

In a healthy woman, the cycle length ranges from 21 days to 35 days. Moreover, menstruation occurs at approximately constant intervals with a maximum deviation of 2-4 days.

The presence of pathology in the body can be assumed in cases where menstruation lasts 2 days and less or more than 7 days, the volume of discharge is less than 40 ml or more than 80-100 ml. If spotting brown discharge appears before and after menstruation, increasing the number of critical days, this is also a violation.

A normal cycle should not be shorter than 21 days or longer than 35 days. Its beginning is considered the first day of menstruation.

Factors influencing the duration of menstruation

How long your period lasts depends on the following factors:

1. Heredity. For some, menstruation lasts 10 days or even more in the absence of any pathologies. This duration is typical for women of this family.
2. The presence of inflammatory and infectious diseases reproductive organs, benign neoplasms(fibroids, polyps, cysts), malignant tumors uterus and ovaries. With these diseases, the structure of the mucous membranes of organs is disrupted, damage to blood vessels and tissues occurs, as a result of which menstruation becomes more abundant and lasts longer.
3. Ovarian dysfunction. The cause of this condition can be both diseases of the genital organs and frequent abortions, use of intrauterine device, uncontrolled use hormonal drugs. With ovarian dysfunction due to insufficient production of sex hormones, menstruation lasts 2 days or less.
4. Deviations in the functioning of the thyroid, pancreas, pituitary gland, adrenal glands - organs responsible for the state of hormonal levels in the body.

In addition, the number of critical days is sharply reduced with intense physical activity (sports, weight lifting). Nervous overstrain, psychological trauma, depression cause heavy menstrual bleeding, lasting for 10-14 days.

Fasting and vitamin deficiency lead to hormonal shifts, a reduction in the duration of menstruation or their complete cessation. Smoking, alcohol abuse, drug use, and exposure to an unfavorable environment lead to the same result.

Video: How long does a normal period last?

How long do teenage girls menstruate?

At the age of 12-15, girls experience their first menstruation. During this period, hormonal changes begin in the body associated with the maturation of the ovaries. The first menstruation comes irregularly, with delays of several months. This happens within 1-2 years. The volume of menstruation can fluctuate significantly.

It is difficult to say how many days teenage girls should menstruate until their character is finally established. Their duration can vary significantly, but gradually it returns to normal and is usually 3-5 days. After this, the girl needs to start a special calendar to mark the start and end day of her period.

If any deviations appear (menstruation does not come, ends too quickly, or, conversely, lasts longer than last time), there is no need to panic. There can be many reasons: overwork, dieting, sports overload, teenage mental imbalance, change of environment. Such violations will disappear after their cause is eliminated.

But if the disturbances are persistent, or menstruation is too painful, then you should definitely consult a doctor. Such symptoms indicate the presence of diseases of the reproductive organs and other body systems.

Video: Menstruation in girls and adult women

Menstruation during pregnancy

Once pregnant, most women's periods disappear, but sometimes they come at their usual time, which may cause the woman to not realize that she is pregnant. If menstruation came only during the first 30 days of pregnancy, this is explained by the fact that fertilization occurred at the very end of the menstrual cycle, when the endometrium had already partially exfoliated. Bloody discharge is scanty.

IN in rare cases simultaneous maturation of eggs occurs in both ovaries. One of them is fertilized, and the second is brought out. In this case, slight bleeding occurs, which may look like scanty periods that last for 1-2 days.

If during pregnancy during the first 3-4 months menstruation is scanty and short in duration, this may be the result of an incomplete cessation of hormone production in the ovaries, which is explained by physiological characteristics body. But in any case, you should not calm down, since most often the appearance of bloody discharge during pregnancy portends a miscarriage or indicates endocrine disorders in organism.

Warning: If any bleeding occurs, a pregnant woman should immediately consult a doctor. You may need to be hospitalized for several days to maintain the pregnancy.

How long do you miss your period after childbirth?

The timing of the first menstruation after childbirth depends on the nature of its course, general condition health. If a woman is breastfeeding, she does not have periods during the entire period of lactation. If for some reason the child is transferred to artificial feeding, then a woman’s period begins after about 12 weeks.

In the absence of complications, most often the menstrual cycle becomes more stable. If earlier your periods were too heavy and long, then after childbirth the indicators are close to normal. Menstruation becomes painless and less intense. This is due to a change in the position of the uterus, improving the outflow of blood from it. How long your period lasts depends on the nature of the incident. hormonal changes. They usually last from 3 to 5 days.

How many days does menstruation last during menopause?

Menopause (complete cessation of menstruation) occurs in women at approximately 48-50 years of age. After 40 years, the production of sex hormones in the ovaries begins to gradually decline, and the supply of eggs is depleted. Ovulation does not occur in every cycle. All this is reflected in the nature of menstruation. They come irregularly, the duration changes with each cycle. After heavy bleeding, which do not stop for 8 days, there may be a long pause (2 months or more), after which scanty spotting brown menstruation occurs, which disappear after 2 days. Then they stop altogether.

Addition: If spotting was absent for 1 year and then reappeared, it is no longer menstruation. Bleeding of any duration and intensity during the postmenopausal period is a sign of hormonal imbalance, endocrine diseases or the development of tumors of the uterus or ovaries. It is necessary to urgently contact medical specialists (gynecologist, endocrinologist, oncologist) to identify the pathology.

Menstruation while using oral contraceptives

Birth control pills contain female sex hormones, estrogens and progesterone. Their action is aimed at suppressing ovulation by changing their natural ratio in the body. Within 1-3 months after starting to take the pills, the body adapts to the new hormonal levels. In this case, the nature of menstruation may change compared to usual. How many days menstruation lasts in this case and what its intensity depends on the chosen remedy. They can become abundant and long-lasting, or, on the contrary, they can be scanty and short-lived.

If after 3 months the nature of menstruation does not return to normal, you should consult a gynecologist. You may need to choose a different drug.

Video: Gynecologist about the consequences of using hormonal drugs

Critical days, what are they, how to survive them calmly and painlessly? The issue of menstruation is very important for young girls. They are afraid that someone might notice that they are having “these” days, that it will be too painful to go to school, or that the average length of their period will be long and the discharge will be heavy. There are many fears. And they are completely justified. Every mother should convey to her daughter the following nuances this stage of her growing up.

The first critical days in girls (menarche) usually occur at the age of 12-14 years. Usually at the same age as their mothers or a little earlier. Before menarche, girls show signs of puberty - pubic hair appears, armpits, the figure becomes feminine. And just before the bleeding starts, a few days before, acne may appear on the skin of the face and body. Monthly bleeding is a signal that a woman’s body is already or very soon will be ready for pregnancy. This is a kind of transition from childhood to adulthood. However, pregnancy in such early age is extremely undesirable, since the body of a young girl is not yet ready for such heavy loads and tests.

Women's periods occur with of different durations and intensity, that is, it is individual. But on average, normal menstruation lasts at least 3 days and no more than 7. In this case, a woman loses no more than 50-60 grams of blood. If there are discrepancies with these figures, you should consult your doctor.

Naturally, as long as a woman’s period lasts, she needs to use hygiene products for as long. For young girls, pads are recommended. The specific company is not important. But it is necessary that the hygiene product is odorless (does not contain fragrances), in order to avoid allergic reactions. You can start with classic “three-drop” pads. And then, if necessary, heavy discharge, change them to more absorbent ones. Hygienic tampons can also be used by virgins, but this is not very convenient, and besides, this hygienic product requires mandatory frequent changes, otherwise there may be sad consequences in the form of toxic shock.

Difficult questions about critical days (video):

Answers to difficult questions about critical days.

2013-06-05T00:00:00

What should not be done during menstruation so as not to harm the body? Doctors recommend not to engage in active sports, swim, or take a bath these days. At all physical exercise You shouldn’t rule it out, it will most likely cause harm.

You can hear different opinions about whether it is possible to have sex on menstrual periods, including from doctors. During the first days of menstruation sex life It's better to postpone it. At least abstain for 2-3 days. And then you can, but it is advisable to use a condom. This brings up another question: is it possible to get pregnant during menstruation? This is unlikely, since most women ovulate no earlier than day 12 of their cycle. Well, sperm live in the female genital tract in best case scenario 3 days. But a condom is necessary in this case not as contraception, but as a guarantee that the infection that the partner may have will not get into the uterus, which is slightly open during menstruation, and will not arise there. inflammatory process- endometritis.

Nutrition on critical days should be moderate. Since in the second phase of the cycle a woman manages to gain up to 1 kilogram of weight, her appetite is increased at this time. And during menstruation, you can arrange a fasting day. A woman’s weight during menstrual periods may gradually decrease, as swelling, caused by high production of progesterone earlier, goes away. Excess liquid goes away, legs become slimmer, gas formation disappears, we see a lower number on the scales.

There remains one unclear question related to spiritual life - is it possible to go to church during critical days or is it not worth it? There are many opinions on this matter. But most women try not to attend church on bleeding days. Although, naturally, no one will know about this, even if the ban is violated. Still, believers try to follow the rules.