The menstrual cycle explained

Every month, from when we reach puberty through to menopause, a woman’s body goes through a number of changes to get it ready for a possible pregnancy. This series of hormone driven events can be referred to as the menstrual cycle.

The menstrual cycle is more than just the period. In fact, the period is just the first phase of the cycle. This cycle starts with the first day of the period and ends with the start of the next period. An entire menstrual cycle usually lasts between 21 and 35 days, but this varies from cycle to cycle as well as different individuals, and may also change over time.

What is menstruation?

Menstruation is normal vaginal bleeding that occurs as part of a woman's monthly cycle. Every month, your body prepares for pregnancy.

If no pregnancy occurs, the uterus, or womb, sheds its lining. The menstrual blood is partly blood and partly tissue from inside the uterus. This happens because the lining of the uterus has prepared itself for a possible pregnancy by becoming thicker and richer in blood vessels. If pregnancy does not occur, this thickened lining is shed, accompanied by bleeding, this is what is referred to as periods.

Bleeding usually lasts for three to eight days depending on the woman. The length of time from the first day of one period to the first day of the next period normally ranges from 21-35 days.

According to the expert opinion of gynaecologists around the world, the menstrual cycle includes four phases. These are the menstrual phase, follicular phase, ovulation phase, and finally, the luteal phase. The Jargon aside, when you break down this information in days the process is much simpler;

Days 1-5 - The first day of menstrual bleeding is considered day one of the cycle. Your period can last anywhere from three to eight days, but five days is average.

Days 6-14 - Once the bleeding stops, the uterine lining begins to prepare for the possibility of a pregnancy. The uterine lining becomes thicker and enriched in blood and nutrients.

Day 14-25 - Somewhere around day 14, an egg is released from one of the ovaries and begins its journey down the fallopian tubes to the uterus. If sperm are present in the fallopian tube at this time, fertilisation can occur. In this case the fertilized egg will travel to the uterus and attempt to implant in the uterine wall.

Days 25-28 - If the egg was not fertilized or implantation does not occur, hormonal changes signal the uterus to prepare to shed its lining, and the egg breaks down and is shed along with lining. The society of obstetricians and gynaecologists of Canada finalize by saying that, the cycle begins again on day one menstrual bleeding.

Unfortunately, this process causes discomfort for many women as the hormones keep changing and let’s be honest no one really looks forward to this time of the month.  Many women complain that they experience period cramps ranging from mild to severe.

What are menstruation cramps?

According to Janelle Martel from Healthline, during your menstrual period, your uterus contracts to help expel its lining. Hormone like substances involved in pain and inflammation trigger the uterine muscle contractions hence causing the cramping. Period cramps are a normal part of the process but if anything feels different from the norm a visit to the doctor might be best just to make sure it’s all smooth sailing.

As if that’s not enough, menstruation does not only come with annoyingly painful cramps but also symptoms like nausea, headaches, dizziness among others. The good news is this does not happen to everyone, this process is hormonal and hence differs from individual to individual.

Shark week is no fun but we can make it a little bit better when you use the right pads like Always pads. You can also take herbal teas to calm the cramps, use hot water bottles or a warm cloth to soothe you and give in to those cravings you’ve been having.

Hopefully they do the trick!