The sole purpose of the menstrual cycle is to prepare the uterus for pregnancy. There are 4 phases of menstrual cycle. The woman’s body is vulnerable to many physiological changes during the menstrual cycle.
Women’s menstrual cycle varies in length and normally lasts about 28 days, although vary among women ranging from 21 to 35 days. Below we’ll discuss 4 phases of the menstrual cycle.
The menstrual cycle happens every month, involving the release of an egg from the ovaries, and the uterus lining is built up. Now the egg is ready to be fertilized with sperm and pregnancy occurs. If not fertilized, the uterus lining is shed and the menstrual cycle starts over again.
The day when a woman starts bleeding is known as the first day of her menstrual cycle.
The menstrual cycle starts from the age of 9 to 15 in a girl. In every woman, the cycle continues each month till the woman reaches her late 40s and early 50s which is due to menopause(the stop of the menstrual cycle).
Before diving into the 4 phases of the menstrual cycle. Let’s have a look at different parts of women’s reproductive system which are involved in the menstrual cycle.
- A pair of ovaries is responsible for egg production(ova), release of hormones(estrogen and progesterone), and ovulation.
- The uterus (womb) implants the fertilized egg that further develops into a fetus. The uterus lining(endometrium) plays a key role in menstruation.
- Fallopian tubes provide the connection between the ovaries and the uterus.
There are two more structures in women’s reproductive system such as the cervix and vagina, that primarily do not play a key role in the menstrual cycle. These mentioned structures and their coordinated action along with hormonal secretions are critical for the menstrual cycle.
The 4 phases of the menstrual cycle
Menstrual phase
The menstrual phase is the first out of 4 phases of menstrual cycle. This phase starts usually the day women start bleeding and lasts about 3 to 5 days varying from woman to woman in length and intensity of discharge.
The lining of the uterus(endometrium) is shed through the vagina when a woman does not get pregnant and that results in the start of the menstrual phase(period day 1).
Commonly seen symptoms during this phase include cramps, mood swings, bloating, back pain, and tender breasts.
Follicular phase
The follicular phase is the second phase of the menstrual cycle. This phase is considered the longest out of all 4 phases of the menstrual cycle. Starts from the first day of your period and lasts until ovulation happens.
This phase is all about the preparation of the uterus for another pregnancy, with the help of estrogen that thickens the lining of the uterus.
Ovulation phase
This phase is also called the mid-cycle phase. Ovulation starts when an egg is released from the ovaries. This mature egg travels via the fallopian tube to reach the uterus to get fertilized by the sperm.
Ovulation usually occurs in the middle of the menstrual cycle between 14 to 16 days and lasts only about 24 hours.
This is the phase that tells a woman whether she is pregnant or not by simply observing a few symptoms like lower abdomen pain, white stretchy discharge, and breast soreness.
Luteal phase
The luteal phase lasts until the next menstrual cycle starts. In this phase, the corpus luteum is formed from the egg released by the follicle. The corpus luteum releases hormones like progesterone and estrogen that thicken the lining for the nourishment of the fetus if the egg is fertilized.
If the egg is not fertilized, the corpus luteum breaks down and ultimately removes the thickened lining of the uterus and the menstrual cycle starts again.
The most common symptoms of premenstrual syndrome(PMS) a woman faces if she is not pregnant include weight gain, sudden mood changes, headache, food cravings, and breast tenderness.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do the secretions of hormones play a role in the menstrual cycle?
Hormonal secretions( FSH, LH, progesterone, and estrogen) play a crucial role in the development of ovarian follicles, ovulation, and changes in the lining of the uterus.
How uterus change during the menstrual cycle?
The uterus changes its lining (endometrium) during the menstrual cycle to prepare the uterus for the implantation of the egg. if pregnancy does not occur, the outer lining sheds and the menstrual cycle starts again.
What fallopian tube do in the menstrual cycle?
The fallopian tube provides the connection for an egg to travel from the ovary to the uterus. Moreover, fertilization occurs in the fallopian tube.
Ending Note
The menstrual cycle is a natural process influenced by the regulation of different hormones. Menstrual blood flow depends on various factors such as stress, nutrition, and the overall reproductive health of women.
The length of the cycle and the consistency of the discharge vary from woman to woman. Don’t bother yourself by comparing your conditions with any other woman. seek medical guidance for serious issues. And read our guide Seed cycling chart for irregular periods
