4th day of menstruation what phase. Our menstrual cycle

  • 02.07.2020

Knowing your menstrual cycle will help you make informed decisions about your health and family planning. Doctors often ask when is the first day of your menstrual cycle. The tips below will help you identify this day.

Steps

Determining the first day of the cycle

    Understand what the menstrual cycle is. Menstruation begins in women when they reach puberty - at this time, a woman has the ability to conceive a child. There are several phases in the cycle (follicular, ovulation, luteal), and the first day of the cycle marks the beginning of the luteal phase, in which the uterus sheds its lining through the vagina. This is how menstruation begins.

    Learn to identify the first day of your cycle. If you learn how to correctly count the days of the cycle, you can take right decisions regarding their health and family planning. To determine the first day of your cycle and how long it is, start numbering the days of your cycle, starting with the first day of your period.

    Monitor your cycle for several months. If you do this from the first day of the cycle, it will be easier for you to track patterns and calculate the day the next period begins.

    Determine the first day of the next cycle. If you know your cycle length, it will be easier for you to predict the start date of your next period.

    Signs of approaching menstruation

    1. Know that premenstrual syndrome is normal. For most women, symptoms appear 1-2 weeks before the onset of menstruation. As a rule, they pass with the onset of menstruation. All women react differently, so you should record your symptoms throughout the cycle.

      Be aware of possible mood swings. On the eve of menstruation, many women become whiny, anxious, their mood changes dramatically or becomes depressive. A woman can also constantly feel tired and irritated. If your mood swings don't stop after your period starts, or if you think these mood swings are interfering with your normal life, you should see your doctor.

      Pay attention to digestive symptoms. On the eve of menstruation, bloating, constipation, fluid retention in the body and diarrhea are possible. This can lead to weight gain at the beginning of the cycle. All these symptoms should also disappear in the first 4 days after the onset of menstruation. If it doesn't, see your doctor.

      Pay attention to physical changes. Pain in the chest, joints and muscles, as well as headache occur quite frequently. You can take a simple pain reliever (ibuprofen, aspirin, naproxen).

      Know when to see a doctor. If you have five or more of the above symptoms, and PMS is interfering with your normal life, you may have premenstrual dysphoric disorder. Your doctor may prescribe antidepressants, strong pain medications, or birth control pills"Jess".

      • In the treatment of premenstrual dysphoric disorder, it will be useful to work with a psychotherapist.
      • You should also see your doctor if your symptoms do not go away with your period, or if the frequency and severity of your symptoms change.

    Problems with the menstrual cycle

    1. Know when to discuss your cycle with your doctor. If you have questions about your cycle, talk to your gynecologist. It is also important to see a doctor if your cycle has always been abnormal or has suddenly become so. It is extremely important to consult a gynecologist in the following cases:

      Learn more about amenorrhea. Amenorrhea is the absence of menstruation. In women, menstruation should begin no later than the age of fifteen. If you or your daughter didn't start a period before age 15, see your doctor.

      Find out if you have dysmenorrhea. Dysmenorrhea is a disease in which menstruation is very painful. Ibuprofen or similar medications may help ease the pain, but if it happens every time, you should talk to your doctor.

      Watch for abnormal bleeding. If you have had a regular menstrual cycle before, you should know what is normal for you. Keep track of the regularity of your periods. If your periods become irregular, see your doctor.

      Know what causes irregular periods. A variety of factors can lead to cycle disorders. If you keep your weight within the normal range and visit your gynecologist regularly, your cycle will not fluctuate.

      Contact your doctor. Regular check-ups with a gynecologist should be undertaken to begin treating any abnormalities as soon as possible. Keeping track of your cycle and symptoms will help your doctor make the correct diagnosis and prescribe the appropriate treatment.

The reproductive system of the female body is a complex mechanism created by nature to continue the human race. From the moment of puberty to the onset of menopause, the purpose of the beautiful half of humanity is to bear and give birth to a child. To prepare for this event, processes invisible to the naked eye take place every month, which are called the phases of the menstrual cycle.

First phase of the menstrual cycle

The cyclical period itself for each woman is an individual phenomenon. Its beginning is considered the first day of menstruation, and the duration ranges from 21 to 35 days. The average ideal value is considered to be 28 days.


Cycle graph - clearly shows the development of the egg (follicular + ovulation + corpus luteum)

Start of egg growth

The first phase of the menstrual cycle is responsible for the beginning of the growth and development of the egg, it is called the follicular. The ovaries of a woman have a large number of rudiments of liquid bubbles. Together with the first day of monthly bleeding, those of them who will grow in the current month are outlined.

Estrogen production

Phase 1 of the menstrual cycle is a period where, under the influence of follicle-stimulating hormone, the production of estrogen gradually increases, which supports the development of follicles. Approximately on the 7th day of the cycle, one bubble significantly outperforms the others in all respects, this is for them something like a signal to stop growth and reverse development. And the leader of the race continues to grow the egg, reaching a limiting size of 20-25 mm in diameter. By this time, estrogen levels have reached their highest point which provokes the release of luteinizing hormone (LH), a harbinger of ovulation.

Features of ovulation

As soon as the growth of LH is fixed, the ovulatory phase is approaching, it is like a separation of the two halves of the cycle, which can be called the 3rd phase of the menstrual cycle, although rather it is a dividing line between them, located in its middle.

Ovulation is the shortest segment in a cycle of 24-36 hours, but the most significant. It is at this time that the mature egg breaks through the wall of the ovary and rushes into the fallopian tube, where it will meet with the sperm. If such a meeting does not happen, the cell dies in a day.

Second phase of the menstrual cycle

Once the egg has left the ovary, the second phase of the menstrual cycle begins. At the site of the rupture of the follicle, the corpus luteum begins to grow, producing progesterone, which helps fertilization occur, causes the endometrium to become loose, soft and thick enough so that the fetal egg can easily penetrate its wall.

luteal phase

The second segment is called the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle, what it is and why it is called that is simply explained. From fragments of the tissue of the liquid vesicle and vessels, special cells begin to grow, having yellow. Gradually, the cells turn into a temporary gland that produces lutein hormone, the hormone of pregnancy. The gland is called the corpus luteum, and since it plays a leading role in the second period of the cycle, the phase is also called the luteal.

Progesterone production

Phase 2 of the menstrual cycle is the process responsible for the onset and development of pregnancy with the help of progesterone produced by the gland until the placenta is formed, which takes over. In the absence of conception, by the beginning of a new cycle, the corpus luteum disappears.

Very detailed about the menstrual cycle

How long are cycle phases

Now let's return to the digital values ​​​​and analyze the phases of the menstrual cycle by day. We remember that the boundaries of this monthly phenomenon range from 21 to 35 days. Numerous studies have shown that its second half is constant and is 14 days. It can change its duration in the direction of decreasing or increasing only if pathological abnormalities occur in the female reproductive system. But the first phase - the value is different for each lady.


Let's analyze in detail - how many days each phase lasts and how it is characterized

Now let's see how our girls feel about how the first phase of the menstrual cycle proceeds and how many days it can take with a 28-day length:

  • The first and second days are not encouraging, almost all of our ladies suffer from pain in the lower abdomen, and of course, spotting also does not improve mood, performance decreases, the usual rhythm of life decreases.
  • From 3 to 6 days, the state and physical well-being begin to slowly stabilize.
  • 7-12 days pass at good mood, increased zeal for work, doing the usual things, there is a sexual desire and a host of others positive emotions.
  • 13-14 day - waiting for ovulation.

With a different duration of the rhythmic period, a similar table fits between 7-21 days.

And we are smoothly moving into the second phase of the menstrual cycle, and how many days it lasts, we have already determined as an established constant value - 14 days.

From 15 to 22 days, the state of health and mood is excellent. But sometimes at the end of this interval in some women after fertilization, the moment the embryo is fixed in the uterus will be marked by the release of a few drops of blood and the appearance of minor pain in the lower abdomen during the day.

If the egg dies without meeting the male cell, then signs of premenstrual syndrome can be observed from 23 to 28 days. They are expressed in irritability, frequent mood swings, tearfulness, a tendency to depression, swelling and soreness of the mammary glands.

Table of phases of the menstrual cycle

If you link these days to the possibility of fertilization, then the table of the phases of the menstrual cycle looks like this:

  • Starting from the first day of menstruation and up to day 11 with a 28-day period, fertilization is unlikely.
  • The maximum time for conception falls on the 12-16th day. It is in this time period that if you want to get pregnant, sexual intercourse can be crowned with success, in the form of the birth of a new life.
  • Well, if a joyful event has not happened at the moment, then from the 17th to the 28th day, the ability to fertilize is zero.

But it should be taken into account that all these calculations refer to the regular menstrual process. In case of its violation, any outcome is possible. Yes, plus the individuality of each woman, so it’s not worth relying completely on the proposed tables, since the reproductive system is a very cunning mechanism that can bring unexpected surprises, in a seemingly calculated to the smallest detail life situation.


Diagram of the menstrual cycle - menstruation and ovulation

In order to avoid failures in the well-functioning work of the reproductive function, it is necessary that the phases of the menstrual cycle and the hormones that provide their support are in perfect harmony. Nature in this process thought through everything to the smallest detail.

If estrogen grows during the maturation of the egg, then progesterone has its minimum value. As soon as the first reaches its peak, the second immediately rises, taking its turn in the control of the following actions. Estrogen will not increase by the middle of the cycle, there will be no LH surge, ovulation will not occur, there will be no corpus luteum, there will be no one to produce the hormone of the second phase.

The slightest violation in this complex scheme of interaction leads to violations that prevent the conception and birth of a baby.

Often Negative influence hormone function is influenced by external factors. Therefore, to keep your menstrual cycle running like clockwork:

  • try to avoid stressful situations;
  • observe the regime of work and rest;
  • review your diet, eat healthy foods rich in vitamins and minerals.

In the event of internal causes in the form of gynecological diseases, do not try to cope with the problem on your own, for this there are enough qualified doctors who can save you from the troubles that have arisen as soon as possible.

Third phase - ovulation

The female cycle consists of two phases, in the first the egg matures, and in the second, the wound from the rupture of the follicle heals or conception occurs. The normal course of processes is controlled by the hormones produced. The 3rd phase of the menstrual cycle is considered to be ovulation, the release of cells, when conception is most likely. A girl should keep a calendar - a table where to mark the beginning of menstruation every month. With it, you can calculate the day of ovulation and control the normal course of the cycle.

The menstrual cycle consists of several phases. The phases of the cycle of menstruation by day are divided by gynecologists as follows:

  • menstrual phase: 3 to 6 days;
  • the second phase is follicular: about 14 days;
  • ovulation phase: about 3 days;
  • luteal phase: 14-16 days.

menstrual phase

The beginning of the menstrual cycle should be considered the first day of the onset of menstruation. This physiological process occurs due to the rejection of the endometrium of the uterus. Bloody discharge in each woman can have a different character: from heavy bleeding to smearing. When the endometrium of the uterus is shed, the body prepares for the formation of a new egg. Each menstrual cycle is the preparation of the female body for fertilization and pregnancy.

The first phase of the cycle is accompanied by pain in the lower abdomen, weakness, drowsiness and irritability. These days it is better to refrain from physical activity and, if the life schedule allows, more rest and stay in a calm environment.

Painful sensations can be reduced by such drugs: Tamipul, Spazmalgon, No-shpa, Paracetamol. It should be noted that all medicines should be taken only after the recommendation of the doctor.

In healthy women, these symptoms appear in a mild form. Often the cause of painful menstruation can be:

  1. Heredity. If a mother or grandmother suffered from pain before menstruation, then there is a high probability of these manifestations in the next generations.
  2. Pathology of the uterus: bend, curvature or underdevelopment of the organ. In this case pain syndrome will accompany menstruation even in women who have given birth.
  3. The occurrence of tension in the pelvis due to contraction of the uterine muscles.
  4. Compression of nerve endings due to enlargement of the uterus.
  5. Increased sensitivity of the body to ongoing physiological processes.
  6. An increase in prostaglandin hormones, which act on the genitals and thus cause pain.
  7. Stagnation of blood in the pelvis and swelling of the tissues.
  8. Intrauterine device. It can cause intense contraction of the muscles of the uterus, resulting in pain.

However, very often painful periods are associated with inflammatory processes in the pelvic organs. To make sure that these manifestations are absent, it is necessary to be examined by a doctor and, if necessary, undergo a course of treatment.

During menstruation, a healthy woman loses about 10 ml of blood. To avoid anemia, these days you should eat more fruits, vegetables containing iron, and also take a complex of vitamins. This applies primarily to teenage girls, whose body is not yet fully formed.

A woman during this period is useful Fresh air and calm environment. Family members should not forget that during the period of menstruation, complex hormonal changes occur in a woman's body, because of which she perceives everything very sharply, she can be irritable and unbalanced. So the best medicine these days for a woman there will be support and understanding from relatives.

Follicular phase and ovulation

The second phase of the monthly cycle lasts about 2 weeks after the end of bleeding. However, stress and lifestyle changes can interfere with the normal duration of this phase.

During this period, the ovaries produce a hormone that stimulates the development of follicles, FSH. In the dominant follicle, the ovum subsequently matures.

The follicular phase is characterized by the release of the hormone estrogen, which promotes the renewal of the uterine wall. This hormone affects the biological environment in the cervix, making it insensitive to sperm. Nature decreed that during this period the female body is preparing for fertilization, and premature ingestion of sperm is undesirable.

Estrogen is considered the main beauty hormone. Skin, hair and nails become strong and beautiful. During this period, any cosmetic procedures are appropriate.

On day 14, the body releases the luteinizing hormone LH, while the production of the hormone FSH decreases. The LH hormone has a beneficial effect on the mucus in the cervix, making it receptive to sperm. Under the influence of this hormone, the maturation of the egg ends and it is released from the follicle.

This process is called ovulation, which lasts from 2 to 4 days. Exactly this auspicious time for conception. Many girls who want to get pregnant calculate these days according to the calendar.

The mature egg moves through the fallopian tubes, where it waits for a meeting with the sperm within 2 days. Spermatozoa are able to live for about 5 days, so if sexual intercourse occurred shortly before ovulation, then there will be a high probability of fertilization of the egg.

In this phase, the girls' appetite increases, which threatens speed dial weight. This is due to the accumulation of the necessary nutrients in the body in case possible pregnancy. At this time, it is better to increase the consumption of dairy products and plant foods.

The probability of conception is possible already from the 9th day of the cycle. There is even a certain theory of conception of the desired sex of the child. If parents dream of a girl, then sexual intercourse should be performed before ovulation, since the X chromosome, which determines the female sex, is more viable. And if the desired sex of the child is male, then it should be conceived on the days of ovulation - on the 12-14th day of the cycle.

In ancient Eastern teachings, it is said that before ovulation, a woman accumulates energy, and after ovulation, it is redistributed. Saving energy allows a woman to achieve harmony and peace of mind.

Women during the period of ovulation have a special smell that attracts men. She shines with beauty, health, and her sexuality these days is at the highest level.

Luteal phase of the menstrual cycle

After the release of the egg, the empty follicle, or corpus luteum, begins to produce the hormone progesterone. It prepares the endometrium of the uterine cavity for the introduction of a fertilized egg. At this time, the production of the LH hormone ends and the cervical mucus dries up.

The luteal phase lasts 14 to 16 days. The female body is preparing for the introduction of the embryo. This process occurs within 6-12 days after fertilization. As soon as this has happened, the production of the hormone chorionic gonadotropin begins. It supports the function of the corpus luteum, which produces progesterone throughout pregnancy, which ensures the normal bearing of the child.

Modern pregnancy tests are sensitive specifically to human chorionic gonadotropin, which is called the pregnancy hormone.

If fertilization does not occur, then the corpus luteum and the egg die off, and the production of progesterone stops. The endometrium of the uterus also begins to collapse.

From the 20th day of the cycle, the concentration of luteinizing hormone decreases and the corpus luteum begins to reverse development in the ovary. It is believed that from this day the probability of getting pregnant becomes minimal.

At the end of the luteal phase upper layer The uterus begins to be rejected and subsequently leaves it with menstrual flow. This is the beginning of a new cycle.

In the final phase of the menstrual cycle, the metabolism slows down. A week before the onset of menstruation, the work of the sebaceous glands of the skin intensifies. Girls get skin rashes. These days it is advisable to refrain from physical activity, as the connective tissues become more vulnerable.

PMS - premenstrual syndrome - is reflected not only in appearance but also on the woman's mental state. As a result of a drop in hormone levels, a woman becomes vulnerable and vulnerable, she needs the support and understanding of her relatives.

The mammary glands increase in size, there is daytime sleepiness, a feeling of anxiety or apathy. Gynecologists advise these days such "medicines" as sex and chocolate. However, in some women during PMS, libido decreases, so chocolate remains, which contributes to the production of the hormone of happiness.

The length of the menstrual cycle is different for every woman.

Therefore, the duration of the monthly phases for each woman may be different.

Cycles lasting from 21 to 32 days are considered normal.

In the article, we will consider what phase happens on the 22nd day of the cycle.

The menstrual cycle is the time interval that passes between consecutive periods. This segment is divided into phases, which are characterized by their own specifics, which determine the state of the woman's body. If a woman is guided in the phases of her cycle, she will be able to understand herself well, explain changes in well-being, mood swings and other features.

Often ladies ask the doctor - on the 22nd day of the cycle, what phase?

Menstrual cycle: description

The menstrual cycle is understood as a time period, the beginning of which is the first day of the onset of menstruation, and the end is the day before the next menstruation. This process is repeated every month in all women with a normal state of health, excluding breastfeeding and pregnant women.

Every month, nature prepares a woman for the possible conception of a child and does everything to ensure that the child is in favorable and comfortable conditions in which it can harmoniously develop and grow.

When a girl is born, there are many eggs in her ovaries (about two million), but by puberty there are a maximum of four hundred thousand. As a rule, one egg is spent during one cycle.

The regular cycle of menstruation is impossible to imagine without the participation of hormones and structures of the brain of the head. The sequence of phenomena that are observed during the normal cycle is explained by the close relationship between the functioning of the endometrium, hypothalamus, ovaries and anterior pituitary lobe. Its average duration is 28 days. However, a cycle that lasts between 21-35 days is also normal. On the 22nd day of the menstrual cycle, which phase, we will describe below.

Follicular phase

The onset of bleeding, that is, the first day, means the onset of the follicular stage. It covers a period of time of 14-15 days, ending with the arrival of ovulation. The body of a woman at this stage is cleared of an excessive amount, the uterine cavity is freed from the old endometrium, and a follicle matures in the ovary. Are being created the necessary conditions for the growth of the embryo, the new endometrium grows and thickens.

What phase is on the 21st and 22nd day of the cycle, every woman should know.

Features of the ovulatory phase

The second phase of the menstrual cycle is understood as the onset of the period of ovulation, which is due to the concentration of luteinizing hormone in the female body. This circumstance causes the destruction of the follicle, as a result of which the finished egg enters directly into the uterine tube. It is this period of time that is most successful in order to conceive a child. The duration of the ovulation phase is set individually, it can last from 16 to 32 hours.

Drawing pains in the lower abdomen, emotional instability - many women are forced to face such symptoms on the first or second day. Also, the appearance of headaches is not ruled out.

What phase is the fifth day of the cycle?

This is still the same follicular stage, but the woman's well-being gradually returns to normal, along with it her mood improves, irritability goes away.

From the seventh to the eleventh day, an excellent mood is observed in almost all women. This period is characterized by satisfaction, big plans for the future, high efficiency.

So, let's figure it out, on the 22nd and 23rd day of the cycle, what phase?

The luteal phase - what you need to know about it

Periods of the cycle of menstruation and hormones are closely interconnected, due to which the next phase stands out. Ovulation ends and is replaced by the luteal stage. The duration of this period has an average of two weeks, it ends when the next menstruation comes. The preparation of a woman's body for pregnancy does not stop, so she can still come.

The girl in the first three or four days of this phase enjoys excellent health, is distinguished by her ability to work and cheerfulness.

What phase falls on the 21st day of the cycle?

This is the same luteal period, however, the state of the woman's body begins to deteriorate sharply, which is due to natural processes in the body and should not come as a surprise.

In the absence of fertilization of the egg, the high concentration of progesterone and estrogen stops. The female body is gradually preparing for the onset of the next menstruation. Premenstrual syndrome, which has gained notorious popularity, is considered to be the most negative period in the life of all women.

Day 22 of the cycle - what phase?

It enters the second half of the luteal period, when such manifestations as emotional instability (dramatic improvements or deterioration in mood), depressive mood are noted. There are also external symptoms, many women note lumbar pain, increased sensitivity of the mammary glands, swelling affecting the face and limbs. By the 28th day of the cycle, all unpleasant phenomena disappear.

Around the 22nd day of the cycle, the maximum content of progesterone is observed. During this period, the endometrium thickens even more, only due to the formation of a secret by the uterine glands and an increase in cell sizes (the third stage of secretion). At the end of the luteal phase, its thickness can be from 12 to 14 millimeters.

If conception does not occur, the concentration of hormones (LH, FSH, progesterone, estrogen) begins to gradually decrease. Their minimum amount starts menstruation, and the next cycle begins. This process may change due to bad habits, stress and past illnesses. What phase is on the 22nd and 24th day of the cycle is now clear.

Period diary: why is it needed?

Gynecologists advise all women to keep a diary of their menstrual cycle. Currently, you do not need to start a special notebook for this. Now you can simply install the application on your phone and do not forget to enter the necessary information there. This diary is needed in order to know the average time of one cycle. It will also help control the level of progesterone. What is the phase on the 22nd day of the cycle, we explained.

The norm of progesterone by day of the menstrual cycle

The rate of progesterone in women is set depending on the time of the menstrual cycle. Each phase will have its own meaning. In the luteal phase, progesterone reaches its maximum levels - this indicates the beginning of ovulation and uterine preparation for egg implantation.

With a low level of the hormone at this time and the onset of fertilization, a spontaneous miscarriage will occur. Women who are planning a pregnancy, which is why they must control the content of progesterone during the second phase of the cycle.

The doctor prescribes a blood test on the 22-23rd day of the cycle, however, for a more detailed picture, it is recommended to take it several times in a row to monitor the dynamics. So, what level of the hormone is normal? It must be said that women who take hormonal contraceptives, there will be significant differences in performance. Each stage of the cycle has its own standard values:

  • From 1 to 15 days - from 0.97 to 4.73 nmol / l.
  • From 17 to 22 days of the cycle - from 2.39 to 9.55.
  • From 22 to 29 days - from 16.2 to 85.9.

But not all women will be exactly like that.

The indicator of the norm for those who take hormonal contraceptives:

  • from 1 to 15 days - up to 3.6 nmol / l.
  • from 17 to 22 days of the cycle in the luteal phase - from 1.52 to 5.45.
  • from 22 to 29 days - from 3.01 to 66.

In the postmenopausal period, a woman's hormonal level should be in the range of 0.32-2.51.

If pregnancy has come, the hormone is growing rapidly, and a pregnant woman will have the following indicators:

  • from 1 to 13 weeks of pregnancy - from 14.9 to 107.9;
  • from 14 to 27 - from 61.7 to 159;
  • from 28 to 41 - from 17.3 to 509.1.

The hormone level suddenly drops two days before delivery, reaching a value of 2.3. This is necessary so that the uterus is able to contract and thereby stimulate labor activity. However, the amount of progesterone will still be high, as it takes part in stimulating milk production.

Increased and reduced progesterone levels: what does it affect?

With a reduced amount of the hormone in the first trimester, a miscarriage occurs, as the uterus shrinks sharply, the endometrium is not ready enough to hold the amniotic egg. However, if the problem is only in progesterone, it can be solved by special means which are prescribed by a gynecologist.

  • lack of ovulation;
  • chronic inflammation of the ovaries;
  • irregular cycle of menstruation;
  • violation of the functioning of the corpus luteum;
  • adrenal disease.

With a decrease in the content of progesterone, the level of estrogen also changes - it rises, and as a result, the woman has:

  • convulsions;
  • sweating;
  • puffiness;
  • sleep disturbance;
  • weight gain.

Estrogen should normally be in the range of 11-191 pg / ml. During menopause in women, its content is 5-90 pg / ml.

If the level of progesterone in the female body is elevated, the following conditions may be the causes:


Doctors say that progesterone is the most important hormone for a woman. If there are problems with pregnancy and conception, tests for its content in the blood are given first. If necessary, synthetic substances are prescribed that replace the hormone or stimulate its production.

To determine the level of progesterone, it is necessary to take a blood test. However, before delivery, you should consult with a gynecologist who will tell you right choice day. Often, doctors prescribe a study on the twentieth day, but this is not entirely correct, since the following factors must be taken into account:


It must be remembered that during observation during the period of blood donation, ailments, as well as treatment with certain drugs, you can get unreliable results. In this case, they are retaken in a month or at the end of therapy.

We examined which phase is on the 22nd day of the cycle.

Every month, the reproductive system of a woman undergoes certain changes that leave an imprint on both her physiological and psychological state. They are necessary so that the female body can prepare for conception - and then for the onset of pregnancy. Such changes are regular and are called the menstrual cycle - which, in turn, consists of several phases.

Let's take a closer look at how they go, how long they last, and what signs indicate the onset of each phase.

The first phase of the menstrual cycle is called the menstrual cycle.

What should you know about menstruation?

Its duration is approximately 3-7 days.

It is characterized by the following symptoms:

  1. Bloody discharge from the vagina.
  2. Breast augmentation.
  3. Pain in the abdomen.
  4. Irritability.
  5. Pain in the lumbar region.
  6. Changeability of mood.
  7. Nausea and sometimes vomiting.
  8. Headaches.

Optionally, all of the above signs will accompany "critical" days. In many girls, they pass quietly, and the only thing that indicates menstruation is the presence of uterine bleeding.

The cause of painful and heavy periods, nausea, chills, headaches can be elevated level in the blood of prostaglandins in this phase. These chemicals are produced by uterine tissue and cause it to contract.

The menstrual cycle begins from the day the bleeding started from the genitals. During it, the old endometrium is rejected.

Uterine bleeding indicates that pregnancy did not occur in the previous cycle.

At the same time, the ovaries begin to develop follicles. The so-called bubbles filled with liquid. Each of them contains one egg. Under the influence of follicle-stimulating hormone, they begin to ripen.

How thick should the lining of the uterus be during menstruation?

Day

Meaning
5-7

What happens during the second, follicular (proliferative) phase of the cycle?

After the end of menstruation, the female body begins to prepare for the possible conception of a baby. All processes occurring during this period are called follicle stimulating hormone which, in turn, is produced by the pituitary gland.

So, FSH has a huge impact on the level of estrogen in the blood. Starting from the 1st day of menstruation, it rapidly grows upwards. Due to this, the endometrium, which has grown in a new cycle, is saturated with blood and various nutrients. This is necessary in order to successful conception the fertilized egg was able to receive in the uterus everything that it needs for further growth and development.

Immediately after the end of menstruation, one follicle “overtakes” its comrades in its development, as a result of which the latter stop growing and return to their previous state. The "winning" vial of liquid continues to grow the egg.

The size of the bubble with liquid in diameter

Day

Meaning
14

About the well-being of a woman during this period

During the second phase, the girl:

  1. Efficiency increases.
  2. The mood improves.
  3. Increased sexual desire.

Thickness of the endometrium in the proliferative phase

Day

Meaning
11-14

Third, ovulatory phase of the cycle

The ovulatory phase, unlike the others, lasts very little - approximately 24-36 hours. It is during it that women have a chance to become pregnant.

The level of the hormone estrogen in the third phase is at its most high level. During ovulation, the level of luteinizing hormone in the blood increases, but the concentration of follicle-stimulating hormone decreases.

What happens to the mature egg during this phase?

First, it destroys the wall of the follicle - and, with the help of the villi of the epithelium, begins to move into the fallopian tube.

Then, if it meets with a spermatozoon, then it is fertilized.

Otherwise, the egg dies a day after leaving the ovary, after which it dissolves in the uterine mucosa.

In addition, you can determine the presence or absence of ovulation using home tests.

The beginning of the ovulatory phase can also be detected on ultrasound examination, during which the doctor will have to find out what the size of the ovaries and cervix are, and in what condition they are now.

The thickness of the endometrium in the ovulatory phase should be within 1-1.3 cm.

The fourth phase of the menstrual cycle is the phase of the corpus luteum, or luteal

Its duration is fourteen days.

After the egg leaves the vial with liquid, a body begins to grow at the site of its rupture, which has a yellow color. It produces estrogens, androgens, as well as the "pregnancy hormone" progesterone.

If the corpus luteum produces a small amount of progesterone, then fertilization of the egg may not occur for a long time.

For a woman to become pregnant and then give birth to a child in due date, doctors can prescribe her to take special hormonal preparations.

What other function does progesterone perform?

Thanks to him, the endometrium softens, becomes loose, increases in thickness. This is necessary so that the fetal egg can penetrate into it.

Pregnancy has come or not - you can find out only at the end of the luteal phase. Menstruation, if conception has occurred, will not begin. The basal temperature will be kept at around 37.3.

Can be done with homemade test , which can be bought at any pharmacy, or by donating blood at the clinic for the level of hCG.

Nausea, dizziness and other signs of a conception that has occurred appear much later.

Signs and symptoms of the luteal phase

If the egg was not fertilized by a sperm, then in the first days of the luteal phase, the girl will feel great. A woman “in position” will feel the same way.

The only sign that can indicate to her an accomplished conception is the appearance of a few drops of blood on her underwear - - 7-10 days after intimacy.

If pregnancy has not occurred, then a few days before menstruation, the woman's condition may change. She may have PMS syndrome, which is often associated with the irritability and anxiety of a woman. Her mammary glands may swell, as well as minor pains in the abdomen.

What should be the thickness of the endometrium during the luteal phase?

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