As your period approaches, you might start feeling a bit off, with mood swings, cravings, and some spotting and nausea. A typical menstrual cycle lasts about 28 days, but it can vary from 21 to 35 days. This cycle is divided into four parts. Understanding these phases can help you keep track of your cycle, prepare for pregnancy if that's a plan, and get an idea of how your body will react at different cycle stages.
1. Menstrual Cycle
If the pregnancy doesn’t occur at the luteal phase, then the corpus luteum begins to break down around days 10 to 12 of the luteal phase. This marks the beginning of the menstrual cycle. During this phase, progesterone and estrogen levels drop, leading to the onset of premenstrual symptoms (PMS) such as mood swings, bloating, breast tenderness, fatigue, and irritability.
2. Follicular phase
The first phase of our menstrual cycle which begins on the first day of periods and ends with ovulation. It usually lasts up to 13-14 days. The pituitary gland releases follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), prompting the ovaries to produce follicles. One dominant follicle will develop an egg, while the endometrium thickens in preparation for possible pregnancy.
3. Ovulation Phase
The second phase of the menstrual cycle, is marked towards the end of the follicular phase which is on the 14th day of the cycle. This phase marks the release of the eggs by the ovaries. Ovulation is the fertile window of the menstrual cycle with the highest chance of conceiving.
Fun Facts:-
1. The released egg is viable for 12 - 24 hours for fertilization.
2. Sperm can survive in the fallopian tube for up to 5 days. Any intercourse in the days leading up to or during ovulation increases the chances of conception.
Changes that happen in the body during the Ovulation Phase:
1.Cervical mucus becomes more slippery, clear, and stretchy (often described as resembling egg whites), which helps sperm swim more easily to meet the egg.
2.Some women may experience mittelschmerz, a mild pain or cramp on one side of the lower abdomen where ovulation is occurring.
3.Basal body temperature slightly increases after ovulation due to rising progesterone levels, which can be tracked for fertility purposes.
4. Luteal phase
The next phase in the menstrual cycle is the luteal phase. In this phase. It starts after ovulation and lasts until the start of the next period. In this phase, the body is prepared for a potential pregnancy and ranges from 11 to 17 days.
Conclusion
Tracking the four phases of the menstrual cycle helps you understand hormonal changes, manage symptoms, and optimize fertility. It aids in recognizing health issues early and improves planning around energy levels and mood fluctuations. Overall, it promotes better reproductive and overall
