Women and the Monthly Menstrual Cycle

Having a period or menstruating is said to be puberty's biggest event. It is a normal and healthy part of being a woman that young girls should be prepared for rather than be terrified. Women began their menstruation cycle during puberty, normally at age 12 or 13 but can start anytime between 8 and 16. The menstrual period, also known as menstruation or menses, is just one part of the menstrual cycle. This is a 28-day long process that happens in all healthy women who are not yet on their menopause. The menstrual cycle involves all the aspects of the woman's reproductive system such as the uterus, cervix, ovaries, fallopian tubes and vagina. The menstrual cycle is the body's way of preparing women for pregnancy. A cycle is generally more or less 28 days long and starts on the first day of a period. Though, a cycle may range anywhere from 23 to 35 days. Each month, the reproductive system prepares for the fertilization of a woman's eggs and the development of a fetus. The process is conducted by hormones, mainly by estrogen, progesterone, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH). Basically, the menstrual cycle have four phases. Menstruation or having your period is the first phase. Each month the uterus prepares for an embryo by thickening its lining with tissue and blood. When an egg is released without being fertilized, then the uterus will shed this lining through the small opening of the cervix and passes out of the body through the vagina. The menstrual flow is a mixture made up of blood, mucus, and body cells. The flow might be red or quite dark, and may include some clumps or clots. Periods normally last about three to five days. The second phase is called pre-ovulation phase. This happens after a period ends. At this time the ovaries start to prepare another egg, or ovum, for release in the fallopian tubes. Ovulation is the third phase, where the egg is released from the ovary into the fallopian tubes. If the egg becomes fertilized by a sperm cell, it attaches to the uterine wall and a fetus will begin to develop. The ovulation phase typically occurs 14 days before the start of the next period. The fourth and final phase is the premenstrual phase. If the egg is not fertilized, the thickened lining of the uterus is shed and a new menstrual cycle starts all over again. A period may vary every month and differs from one woman to another. It can either be light, moderate, or heavy. Although most menstrual periods last from three to five days, anywhere from two to seven days is still considered normal. However during the first few years after having menstruation, periods may be very irregular. Women stop having their periods when they reached menopause, usually around the age of 50. Menopause refers to the stage when a woman is no longer ovulating or producing eggs. As a result she can no longer become pregnant. Like menstruation, menopause also varies from woman to woman and may even take some years to occur.