Last updated on July 28th, 2018 at 05:21 am<\/p>
The normal menstrual cycle is the cyclical shredding of the endometrium, while menstruation is the vagina cyclical bleeding experienced by women monthly as a result of the shredding of the endometrium. The endometrium is the inner lining of the uterus or womb. There in between 2 menstruation is the the menstrual cycle<\/p>\n
In normal women the menstrual cycle is important to prepare the womb for union of the sperm and egg, implantation and nurturing the embryo. The first time a woman experiences her period is menarche while the time it stops in a women\u00a0is menopause.<\/p>\n
At menarche, the menstrual cycle may not be regular. However, as the woman gets older she will begin to have a regular menstrual cycle. The menstrual cycle lasts for about 2 to 7 days and occurs every 21 to 35 days. Women who experience more than normal bleeding is menorrhagia. However, some women do not experience bleeding at all. This is amenorrhea.<\/p>\n
Some factors that can cause irregular menstrual cycle are emotional anxiety from academic or pregnancy fears, changes in climate and chronic diseases in women.<\/p>\n
During your menstruation, it is estimated that the amount of blood loss is less than 80mls. Presence of blood clots more than a day and prolonged menstruation more that 7 days is suggestive of heavy menstrual bleeding. The amount of sanitary pad change in a day is often used by your doctor to estimate the amount of blood loss<\/p>\n
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The cause of menstruation is sill not understood but the following play a role on menstruation<\/p>\n
The hypothalamus produces GnRH hormone which stimulates the pituitary gland to produce LH and FSH.\u00a0The FSH and LH hormone will then stimulate the ovaries to produce estrogen or progesterone. However, the level of estrogen and progesterone a control over the amount of\u00a0FSH and LH that is produced by the pituitary.<\/p>\n
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Prior to your period,\u00a0you will experience some Premenstrual symptoms (PMS). These symptoms are headache, depression, abdominal bloating, abdominal cramps in women.\u00a0The first day of your menstruation is the\u00a0first day of your menstrual cycle. You will begin to shred the inner lining of the uterus.<\/p>\n
At this point, the level of estrogen is low. This will stimulate the the pituitary gland to produce FSH and small amounts of LH. This FSH will stimulate the growth of the ovarian follicles. As the follicles grows they produce estrogen .<\/p>\n
Within the follicles there are 2 types of cells. The theca and granulosa cells. Both cells are vital in the production of estrogen under hormonal influence of LH and FSH. The LH acts on the theca cells to produce androgens from cholesterol while the granulosa cells converts androgen to estrogen. Therefore, both LH and FSH are vital for adequate level of estrogen in an normal menstrual cycle.<\/p>\n
The estrogen levels will continue to rise to a level when it will inhibit the production of FSH (negative feedback).\u00a0This process will result in reduction of FSH production with resultant selection of one fast growing follicle. This is the dominant follicle. The other follicles regress and gets smaller. This happens on the 6th day of your menstrual cycle.<\/p>\n
The cells of the theca internal continue to produce estrogen. This is important for building up the shred lining of your womb in response of ovulation that will soon occur. The rising estrogen will become rapid at about 36 to 48 hours before ovulation. This rapid increase will stimulate the pituitary to cause a surge in LH production and small FSH production. This is the LH surge.<\/p>\n
Ovulation occur 12 to 24 hours after the LH surge. This is important in women who are planning to get pregnant.\u00a0The ovulation kit women use is based on this principle. It detects the LH surge and tells the most fertile period in a woman.<\/p>\n
Also, the LH with prostaglandins are\u00a0important for ovulation. Through prostaglandins inflammatory like response there is expulsion of the egg due to smooth muscle contraction.<\/p>\n
The ruptured follicle gets filed with blood and the theca and granulosa cells gets replaced with\u00a0lipid filled cells called corpus luteum. The corpus luteum produces predominantly progesterone and small estrogen.<\/p>\n
Therefore, before ovulation there is estrogen dominance while after ovulation there is progesterone dominance. Both hormones are important for preparing the endometrium for implantation.<\/p>\n
If there is union of the sperm and egg, HCH level is raised and the corpus \u00a0luteum will maintain pregnancy through production of its hormones.<\/p>\n
If the perm does not fertilize the ovum then there the corpus luteum will breakdown. Production of progesterone and estrogen is therefore reduced.<\/p>\n
This reduction of\u00a0these hormones will lead to breakdown and shredding of the endometrium. This will start another menstruation and menstrual cycle.<\/p>\n
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The lifespan of the sperm is about 5 days. However, the ovum\u00a0lifespan of the egg is estimated to be 12 to 24 hours. In a woman with a 28 day cycle her ovulation period is on day 14 of the cycle. However, menstrual cycle is not regular for many women. And sometimes if regular, The menstrual cycle is either more or less than 28 days<\/p>\n
Your first day of your last period (LMP) is used to calculate your ovulation period. On day 11 to day 21 of of your cycle, most women will ovulate. To get pregnant, it is important to have regular sex at this period.<\/p>\n
This complete guide to ovulation\u00a0will help you<\/p>\n
Ovulation Cycle, Test, Signs And Symptoms<\/a><\/p>\n The ovulation calculator can also be used to determine your fertile periods.<\/p>\n It is important for every woman to understand their menstrual cycle. These are features of a normal cycle.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n If you experience any of this during your menstruation then inform your doctor.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Now its your turn. Let us know if you experience a normal menstrual cycle or not. Share your experience below.<\/p>\n<\/span>When is my menstrual cycle normal?<\/span><\/h2>\n
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<\/span>When is my menstrual cycle abnormal?<\/span><\/h2>\n
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<\/span>What are the causes of abnormal menstruation?<\/span><\/h2>\n
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