Understanding Menstrual Cycles

A menstrual cycle is the monthly series of changes a woman's body goes through to prepare for a possible pregnancy. On average, a menstrual cycle lasts 28 days, but it can vary from 21 to 35 days.

The Three Phases of Menstrual Cycle

The menstrual cycle has three phases:

1. The follicular phase
2. Ovulation
3. The luteal phase

Follicular Phase

The follicular phase starts on the first day of your period and lasts about 14 days. During this phase, the hormone estrogen is produced, which helps to thicken the lining of the uterus. At the same time, the ovaries begin to mature eggs in follicles. One follicle will become dominant and release an egg during ovulation.

Ovulation

Ovulation occurs when the dominant follicle releases an egg into the fallopian tube. This usually happens around day 14 of a 28-day cycle, but it can vary. The egg can be fertilized for up to 24 hours after ovulation.

Luteal Phase

The luteal phase begins after ovulation and lasts about 14 days. During this phase, the empty follicle that released the egg becomes the corpus luteum and produces the hormone progesterone. This hormone helps to maintain the lining of the uterus in case the egg is fertilized and does implant. If the egg is not fertilized, the corpus luteum breaks down, and the lining of the uterus is shed during menstruation.

Tracking Menstrual Cycle

It is important to track your menstrual cycle to understand when you are most fertile and when you are not. This can help you avoid or achieve pregnancy. There are several ways to track your menstrual cycle, including using a calendar, tracking basal body temperature, and observing cervical mucus changes.

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