How to Calculate Menstrual Cycle?
Menstrual Cycle starts from the first day of your period and it lasts up to the start of your next period. On average, the length of the menstrual cycle is 28 days. But, it varies for every woman. Women getting their periods every 40 days are considered to be longer cycles, whereas getting their periods every 21 days are considered to be shorter cycles. These changes in cycles are quite common and considered to be normal cycles. Not every cycle is the same, it may change over the years. Unexpected Changes in your cycle length results in irregular periods. Your next menstrual cycle calculation can be done based on the previous one.
Hormones Control Women’s Menstrual Cycle:
Hypothalamus is a part of the brain which produces a hormone called Gonadotropin. Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone acts on the ovaries that help to stimulate the release the sex hormones (oestrogen). By changing their levels these hormones control the women’s menstrual cycle.
Phases of Menstrual Cycle:
There are four main menstrual cycle phases,
Menstruation Phase:
Girls getting their first period is referred to as Puberty. It usually occurs between the ages of 11 and 14 on average. Menstruation is the monthly bleeding of soft tissues and blood vessels from the inner lining of the womb through the vagina. Menstruation is common referred to as Period. It is normal to bleed about 10ml – 80ml per period. Most women experience some Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) during their menstrual cycle.
The menstruation phase starts from the first day of your period to the last day of your period. Generally 1 to 5 days of your menstrual cycle. Your next period can be calculated by counting from the first day of your previous period to the day before the next period. You can keep track of your period by using the period calculator.
Follicular Phase:
The follicular phase starts on the first day of the menstruation phase and ends before the ovulation phase. Usually 1 to 13 days of the menstrual cycle. The pituitary gland releases a hormone called Follicle Stimulating Hormone that stimulates the ovaries to produce multiple follicles. Only one follicle matures into an egg that will be released for ovulation.
Ovulation Phase:
The ovulation phase usually occurs on the 14th day of the menstrual cycle. In this phase matured egg in the follicle bursts from the surface of the ovary. This is the phase where the possibility of pregnancy increases. The lifetime of the matured egg is only around 24 hours. If the egg doesn’t meet the sperm within this time, it will die. You can keep track of your ovulation calculator to increase the chance of getting pregnant.
Luteal Phase:
After the release of the matured egg, the ruptured follicle stays on the ovary surface. Then the follicle transforms into a Corpus Luteum. It releases progesterone and oestrogen. This helps in the thickening of the uterus lining for implantation. If no pregnancy occurs, corpus luteum dies. It results in reduced levels of progesterone that affects the thickening of the uterus. The luteal phase usually occurs between 15 to 28 days of the menstrual cycle. PMS usually occurs in this phase. Then menstruation or a period takes place and the whole cycle will be repeated.