What is menstruation?
The menstrual cycle is the natural process a woman goes through to become fertile. Each month one of the ovaries releases an egg, it is at this time that the uterus prepares for pregnancy to occur. If the released egg isn’t fertilised, the lining of the uterus sheds through the vagina. This is a menstrual period. This cycle occurs monthly from puberty through menopause.
For many women, trying to conceive can be a challenging time. Learning to better understand your menstrual cycle and to recognise the signs of ovulation, may help you feel more in control.
What are the menstrual cycle phases?
A typical menstrual cycle lasts between 25 and 35 days and is the process a woman’s body goes through in order to achieve a pregnancy. It is divided into two main parts, ovarian and uterine.
Ovarian cycle phases
The ovarian cycle doesn’t have a menstruation phase and just has the follicular, ovulation and the luteal phase. Essentially it is the growth, maturation and release of an egg from a woman’s ovaries. It differs from the uterine cycle in that it occurs in the ovaries, not the uterus.
Menstruation phase (Your period): The menstruation phase of your cycle is the time during the month that the lining of your uterus or endometrium sheds through your vagina in the form of blood. It’s called a period and usually lasts between 3-7 days.
Follicular phase: The follicular phase is the first phase of the menstrual cycle. It begins on the first day of your period and can last for up to 13 or 14 days. Fluctuations in your hormone levels cause the lining of the uterus to thicken and follicles form on the surface of the ovaries. Usually only one will mature into an egg.
Ovulation cycle phase: Ovulation is when a mature egg is released from a woman’s ovaries. This usually happens once a month, approximately two weeks before your next period is due. It is more likely that you will successfully conceive if you have unprotected sex around the time of this ovulation cycle phase.
Luteal phase: Following ovulation, the egg travels through your fallopian tubes to your uterus. During this time the lining in your uterus continues to thicken as it prepares itself for a pregnancy. If you successfully conceive, you won’t have your next period. If you don’t fall pregnant, you will menstruate as normal, and the menstrual cycle will begin again.
Menstruation: Menstruation, or period, is the beginning of the uterine cycle. This flow is usually a sign that pregnancy has not been achieved. Common symptoms such as cramping, breast tenderness, nausea and irritability may occur before and during your period. These symptoms are commonly known as PMS or premenstrual syndrome.
Proliferative phase: The proliferative phase is the second stage of the cycle, when hormones cause the endometrial lining in the uterus to grow or proliferate. As the ovarian follicles start to mature, oestradiol is released, causing the formation of a new layer of the endometrium or uterus lining.
Secretory phase: The secretory phase, the final one of the uterine cycles, corresponds with the luteal phase of the ovarian cycle. During the secretory phase, the follicle that released the egg produces the hormone progesterone, which allows the endometrium to be receptive to implantation of the developing embryo and support early pregnancy. Mood and behaviour may be affected during a period: mild to severe mood swings may occur. The change in hormone levels may contribute to increased feelings of empathy or depression.
When are you most fertile during your menstrual cycle?
You may have heard the term “fertile window”. This refers to the days leading up to ovulation are the most fertile in your menstrual cycle. This corresponds with days 11 – 16 in a 28-day cycle with a 14-day luteal phase. During this time, the egg is moving down the fallopian tube, waiting to be fertilised.
It is important to know your ovulation day and “fertile window” if you’re trying to conceive as you have a greater chance of conceiving if you time sex one to three days before ovulation or every two days around it.
How long does the menstrual cycle last?
The average menstrual cycle length is somewhere between 25–35 days and begins on the first day of your ‘period’ – the day you begin to bleed. Cycle lengths may vary shorter or longer than this. The ‘period’ usually lasts between 3–7 days. Period pain can occur in the first few days of your cycle as hormones are causing the womb (uterus) to actively shed the lining or endometrium.
🔺Symptoms of menstruation
In the days leading up to and during a period, women can experience a variety of menstruation symptoms. These can include:
- Cramping in the lower abdomen
- Bloating or a feeling of fullness
- Mood changes
- Breast tenderness
- Headaches
- Various levels of bleeding, from bright red to dark brown
How to maximise your chances of conception ?
To optimise your chance of becoming pregnant, it’s best to have unprotected sex every two days throughout the time of ovulation. A woman who has a 28-day cycle and ovulates on day 14 should have sex on days 9, 11, 13 and 14 and so on to increase her chances of pregnancy. Fresh sperm is needed in the fallopian tubes to meet the egg, so regular sex before and during ovulation is encourage.