The menstrual cycle, also known as the menstrual cycle, is regulated by female hormones and has a profound impact not only on fertility but also on a woman's well-being. Menstrual irregularities can indicate underlying health problems. Learn what to look for and how to cope!
What is a menstrual cycle and how long does it last?
This term refers to the period of a woman's life during her reproductive years, during which specific phases occur cyclically. The menstrual cycle refers to the changes that occur in a woman's body over a period of approximately one month, which are intended to prepare her for pregnancy. A normal menstrual cycle consists of menstruation, the follicular phase, ovulation, and the luteal phase. How long is a menstrual cycle? In a healthy woman, the period between periods should be approximately 21-35 days.
What is menstruation?
The most characteristic phase of the menstrual cycle is undoubtedly menstruation, or bleeding. It's also known as menstruation. What is it? It's a condition in which blood and fragments of uterine tissue escape from the reproductive organs. Besides knowing what menstruation is, it's also important to understand why it occurs. It's a signal that fertilization didn't occur in the previous cycle—the uterus is cleansing itself of the unfertilized egg, giving rise to a new cycle.
After menstruation comes the follicular phase. During this time, the pituitary gland produces more FSH, which influences the development of a follicle containing an egg that can potentially be fertilized. The endometrium prepares to receive an embryo.
Ovulation is a brief period, lasting approximately 24 hours, during which the Graafian follicle ruptures and the egg is released into the uterus. This is when there is the greatest chance of fertilization.
Luteal phase – during this phase, the egg transforms into the corpus luteum. If fertilization occurs during this time, the woman's body begins producing the hormone hCG. If not, estrogen and progesterone levels begin to decline, and the unfertilized egg will be expelled during the next menstrual period.
How long does menstruation last?
An important piece of information for every woman, especially young women, is the duration of a period. It typically lasts 3 to 7 days, during which the endometrium sheds almost continuously. Knowing how long a period should last is crucial primarily from a health perspective. Menstruation is a kind of barometer of the body – disturbances within it are often linked to, but not limited to, hormonal changes. How often should a period occur? What is the normal length of a menstrual cycle? If a period occurs more often than every 27 days, or later than 38 days after the last period, it is considered a menstrual disorder, which requires diagnosis and treatment.
What are menstrual disorders?
A menstrual disorder is any abnormality related to monthly bleeding. What are the symptoms?
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bleeding more often than every 27 days or less often than every 38 days;
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periods lasting less than 3 days or a complete absence of menstruation
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periods lasting longer than 7 days;
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very scanty or very heavy bleeding;
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very painful menstruation, making normal functioning difficult;
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spotting between periods;
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blood clots during menstruation;
Menstrual disorders after 40
It's worth mentioning that menstrual irregularities after the age of 45 can be a symptom of menopause. If menstrual irregularities occur after the age of 40, it's also worth seeing a gynecologist, who can diagnose the cause and implement appropriate treatment. Period irregularities can affect not only fertility but also health, so they require medical consultation. Prolonged periods after the age of 40 should not be ignored.
Many women in perimenopause wonder—how long can a period last during menopause? Unfortunately, there's no clear answer. Prolonged periods after the age of 40 can last up to two weeks, and their heaviness can vary. The premenopausal period and menstruation is a very broad topic, and it's best to consult your observations with a specialist.
Menstrual disorders causes
There are many factors that can disrupt a woman's delicate and sensitive hormonal system. When it comes to menstrual disorders, the causes can be hormonal, anatomical, metabolic, medical, or even environmental.
Hormonal disorders and periods
Hormonal imbalances are the most common cause of menstrual irregularities. Because the hormonal system controls the entire process of preparing the uterus for a potential pregnancy, even minor deviations from normal can cause cycle disruptions and fertility problems. These imbalances can include both deficiencies and excesses of estrogen, progesterone, prolactin, FSH, LH, and estradiol. Therefore, it's important to undergo a comprehensive examination, consult a doctor, and use herbs and hormone supplements .
Thyroid and period
Thyroid diseases – both hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism can negatively affect the menstrual cycle due to disturbances in the production of female hormones;
Menstruation and PCOS
Polycystic ovary syndrome – it is a fairly common condition affecting up to 5-10 percent of women of reproductive age, caused by too high a concentration of male sex hormones, which negatively affects ovarian function and the ability to fertilize, i.e. the menstrual cycle;
Diabetes and your period
Hyperinsulinemia, obesity, and central fat distribution can result not only in chronic anovulation but also infrequent or even absent periods. Furthermore, diabetic women may experience menopause earlier than healthy women.
Abnormal body structure and menstruation
Abnormal structure or function of the vagina, uterus, and ovaries – anatomical defects of the uterus, ovaries, and vagina, fibroids, and polyps can impede not only embryo implantation but also the proper drainage of menstrual blood. Abdominal pain during menstruation, amenorrhea, or heavy periods may occur;
Intimate infections
Genital infections – A bacterial or fungal infection alone shouldn't affect your period. However, if left untreated, it can progress and affect the uterus. However, some sexually transmitted infections (STIs), such as chlamydia and gonorrhea, can cause periods to be late, missed, or even cause bleeding between periods.
Eating disorders
Anorexia and bulimia are mental disorders characterized by a toxic relationship with food. Poor nutrition leads to a lack of nutrients in the body, ultimately disrupting hormonal balance and lengthening the time between periods. In extreme cases, menstruation can cease altogether.
Accurately understanding the causes of menstrual irregularities is the most important part of treatment. To provide your gynecologist with the most accurate information possible, it's worth developing the habit of regularly recording the start date, heaviness, and end date of your period on a menstrual calendar. This information provides the specialist with the basis for recommending further diagnostics and treatment.
Healthy Menstrual Cycle - Herbs and Supplements
Pharmacological treatment can be supported by home remedies – period herbs and supplements. Herbs used for menstrual disorders, primarily for late periods, include yarrow, guelder rose bark, white deadnettle flower, St. John's wort, and calendula. When it comes to supplementation, it's worth considering using appropriate vitamins and minerals . Remember about vitamin D, zinc, selenium and copper, vitamin E, as well as Omega-3 fatty acids . Their adequate supply has a positive impact on the proper nutrition of the body and maintaining its biological functions within normal limits.
