The menstrual interval for women is normal. What is the menstrual cycle and its duration. What factor influences the duration

Are you here: Digestive

Every month, a woman’s body undergoes changes aimed at preparing for pregnancy. Ovulation occurs - the release of a mature egg from the ovary, and the uterine lining prepares for implantation. If pregnancy does not occur, the endometrium is shed, and at this time menstruation occurs, after which a new egg begins to mature in the ovaries. A short menstrual cycle is usually associated with hormonal changes in the body and can cause difficulty conceiving.

The normal duration of the menstrual cycle in adult women is from 21 to 35 days, in adolescents - from 21 to 45 days. A 22-day cycle is at the lower limit of normal, and a woman needs to consult a gynecologist, especially if she cannot get pregnant. Difficulties in conceiving with a short intermenstrual interval are associated with too short an interval between the beginning of egg development and the period of ovulation. During this time, the oocyte does not have time to mature for fertilization.

Reasons for shortening the cycle

A short menstrual cycle (17-18 days) can occur for the following reasons:

The onset of menstruation in teenagers

In the first 2-3 years, the length of the menstrual cycle in girls can vary significantly. At this stage, a decrease in the time between the days of the onset of menstruation is common, sometimes occurring twice a month. It is necessary to immediately teach the girl to keep a menstrual calendar in order to suspect hormonal disorders in the child in time.

Premenopausal age

In women over 45 years of age, the duration of the menstrual cycle may change, which may become longer or shorter. In the absence of gynecological diseases, this is normal. Gradually, menstrual intervals go from shortened to longer and longer until they stop.

Diseases

Constantly short intervals between menstruation can be a manifestation of serious diseases associated with hormonal imbalances. For example, thyroid hormones, produced in excess during hyperthyroidism, change the formation of hormonal substances in the ovaries. The disease can also be caused by Cushing's disease or syndrome. For many women, rapid weight loss or gain is important.

Gynecological disorders

Anovulation

It is also observed in healthy women. Other causes include head trauma, encephalitis, pituitary adenoma, ovarian resistance syndrome, and hormonally active tumors of other organs.

Hypermenstrual syndrome

This disease is caused by hormonal imbalances. It is accompanied not only by a short interval between menstruation, but also by heavy, prolonged menstrual bleeding. Often the condition occurs along with endometriosis.

Conditions that require consultation with a doctor

The likelihood of a short menstrual interval increases if the patient's blood relatives have had cases of uterine fibroids or early menopause.

It is necessary to make an appointment with a gynecologist in the following cases:

pain in the lower abdomen that lasts more than two days;
menstruation is very intense;
between periods, spotting appears, which can be mistaken for a short cycle;
severe menstrual pain.

Consequences of shortening the menstrual interval

A short menstrual cycle can negatively affect your ability to get pregnant. This is explained by the following conditions:

Lower quality egg

Short intervals between menstruation are associated with underdevelopment of a normal egg in the ovary. This happens especially often in women after 40 years of age. As age increases, there is a tendency to shorten the duration of the first phase, that is, before ovulation. If the egg does not have enough time to develop (normally 12-14 days), it often cannot be fertilized.

If the second phase is mainly shortened, the uterine lining does not have time to prepare for embryo implantation, and the likelihood of pregnancy also decreases.

Early ovulation

The length of the cycle is influenced by the day of ovulation () more than any other factor. Normally, it should occur on the 14th day. If it occurs before the 11th day, even in a young, gynecologically healthy woman, an immature egg is released from the ovary. The follicle remaining after it is also functionally immature and cannot turn into a full-fledged corpus luteum. Therefore, it will not be able to synthesize enough progesterone to prepare the endometrium for implantation.

Therefore, if you have a constantly short menstrual cycle, it is better to consult a gynecologist. The doctor will prescribe temporary hormonal therapy, after which this interval will lengthen, and the likelihood of a normal pregnancy will significantly increase.

Possible complications

In addition to difficulty conceiving, frequent menstruation can lead to chronic iron deficiency anemia. Its symptoms:

fast fatiguability;
headache;
constant weakness;
dizziness;
shortness of breath with slight exertion;
cardiopalmus.

This condition requires treatment with iron supplements.

Diagnostics

To find out the reasons for a short menstrual cycle, you need to contact a gynecologist. After clarifying the complaints, medical history and examining the patient, the doctor may prescribe the following studies:

General and biochemical blood tests to identify anemia, as well as severe chronic liver and kidney diseases, which can cause abnormalities.
Vaginal smear for microflora to detect genital tract infections.
ELISA or PCR blood tests for the diagnosis of sexually transmitted infections affecting the appendages (chlamydia).
Blood tests for hormones: follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, prolactin, estrogens, thyroxine and thyroid-stimulating hormone.
Ultrasound of the uterus and appendages to detect pathology of these organs (fibroids, cysts, chronic adnexitis).
CT or MRI of the brain if a pituitary adenoma is suspected.

The patient is recommended to keep a chart of basal temperature and menstrual cycle. If it suddenly decreases, for example, after stimulation, in patients over 40 years old, if an ovarian tumor or ovarian depletion syndrome is suspected, a more in-depth examination is prescribed - an analysis of the ovarian reserve. It includes 2 main studies - a blood test for inhibin B and the so-called anti-Mullerian hormone.

Treatment

If the menstrual cycle has become shorter and does not recover within 2-3 months, it is necessary to establish and eliminate the cause of this condition:

If the problem is caused by hormonal disorders, in particular anovulation, they should be diagnosed and normal hormone levels restored.
If there is hyperthyroidism, it is necessary to prescribe thyreostatics or undergo surgery on the thyroid gland.
Treatment of uterine fibroids consists of prescribing hormonal drugs, minimally invasive interventions (for example,) or surgical operations (conservative myomectomy, hysterectomy).
For infectious diseases, antibacterial drugs are prescribed.
If a woman is regularly exposed to stress and as a result she experiences a short menstrual cycle, it is necessary to either eliminate stressful situations or learn to manage her emotions while maintaining peace of mind.
Additionally, multivitamins, physiotherapy, and general massage are prescribed. Therapeutic gymnastics (exercises are selected depending on the cause of the changes), swimming, and walking at a moderate pace are useful.

Treatment for short menstrual cycles most often includes the use of pills, patches, rings, and intrauterine devices containing female hormones. The gynecologist should select them after examining the patient. Therapy usually takes 4 to 6 months.

From traditional medicine, in addition to the main treatment, you can take:

freshly squeezed viburnum juice or berries, mashed with a small amount of sugar, or a mixture of viburnum and honey, a teaspoon 1-2 times a day;
decoction of elecampane root, onion peel, 1 tablespoon twice a day;
an infusion of calendula flowers and tansy leaves, which can be brewed as tea, and if the drink is too bitter, add honey to it;
Wild strawberries that can be eaten fresh, frozen or made into jam.

Dietary supplements for normalizing short cycles, which are sold in pharmacies and are becoming increasingly popular, can only be taken after consulting a doctor. In many cases, they will be ineffective unless you start taking hormones at the same time.

Prevention

The causes of a short menstrual cycle are varied, so only general recommendations can be given to prevent this condition:

Avoid stressful situations and sudden intense physical activity.
Stop smoking.
Don't lose or gain everything in a short time.
Avoid hypothermia, especially the lower body.
Treat cystitis, adnexitis and other diseases of the genitourinary system in a timely manner.
Visit your gynecologist annually.
Take contraceptives only after consulting a doctor.

“The ideal female cycle (28 days) corresponds to the lunar one,” “when the Moon is in Scorpio, the cycle is disrupted,” “the best time for conception is ovulation, when the Moon is in the initial phase...” - such statements are very popular among women, roaming around the world. websites and astrological guides. But it’s one thing to plant cucumbers strictly according to the “lunar calendar” or to start a project only when “the Moon is in Saturn.” There will be no harm from this, although this is also a controversial issue... But to feel sick because the cycle, for example, is 31 or 26 days and categorically does not coincide with the phases of the Moon, is not only absurd, but also harmful to nervous system. And the consequences can actually harm women’s health - stress and neuroses lead to hormonal imbalance and menstrual irregularities.

To understand all this mythology, you need to understand what exactly happens in the body every month, what is normal, and what should be alarming and requires urgent action.

Why exactly 28?

It so happens that the reproductive function is activated in a girl’s body at a time when she does not care about this function at all. Having just put the dolls aside, the girl is faced with a number of little-understood processes occurring in her body, which immediately begin to be heatedly discussed among her peers and with those who are older. But mothers in this situation do not always rise to the occasion, since they themselves are not very knowledgeable about this topic. Most women answer the question about the duration of their menstrual cycle in approximately the same way. “About once a month, a couple of days earlier than the previous one,” this is how the duration of a cycle of 28 days is vaguely indicated, such a cycle for most healthy women. But does this mean that a shorter or longer cycle is a manifestation of pathology? No. It is recognized that a normal menstrual cycle can range from 21 to 35 days, that is, plus or minus a week from the average of 28 days.

The duration of menstruation itself normally ranges from two to six days, and the volume of blood lost is no more than 80 ml. A longer cycle occurs among women living in the northern regions, and a shorter cycle occurs in the south, but this is not an absolute pattern. Regularity is important in the menstrual cycle. If a woman’s cycle is always 35-36 days, then this can be absolutely normal for her, but if it varies (either 26 days, then 35, then 21) - this is already a violation.

Let's talk about genetics?

The menstrual cycle is a series of complex coordinated processes. In genetic terms, a woman’s body works in such a way that there are long pauses between periods during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

The smooth functioning of organs is subject to many factors regulated by nature. This is how the female body is designed for a specific purpose - to continue the race, namely:

become pregnant;
give birth to;
feed the baby with breast milk.

The norm is to start menstruation at the age of 10–14 years. But due to the individual characteristics of each organism, there may be slight deviations from this figure. Also, the cause may be genetic inheritance, and a girl’s period may begin at the age at which her mother or grandmother began. At first, the cycle will be irregular, but after about a year, the number of days should stabilize. Throughout life, a healthy woman's cycle should be regular. By the age of 50, menopause begins. The most irregular cycle is observed in the first two years from the beginning of menstruation, and two years before its end. The difference in cycle lengths can be up to 20 days.

Menstrual cycle

The regularity and duration of the menstrual cycle are the main indicators of a woman’s health and her reproductive system. It is important to know that the duration of the cycle and the duration of the period itself are different things and should not be confused. The menstrual cycle is the time from the first day of one period to the first day of the next, and menstruation is the number of days when bleeding occurs.

How many days does the menstrual cycle last? In only 15% of women it is regular, exactly up to 1 day; normally it can last 21–35 days. If the cycle is longer or shorter, then we are talking about pathologies and you should contact a specialist.

The menstrual cycle has an important reproductive function, so you should not take a violation of the duration of the cycle carelessly.

Causes of menstrual irregularities:

Gynecological diseases;
Oncological diseases;
Liver diseases;
Stress;
Taking oral contraceptives;
Problems with the endocrine system;
Bad ecology;
Change of environment and climate change;
Hormonal disbalance;
Excessive physical activity;
The effect of certain types of drugs;
Extreme weight loss;
Drugs, smoking, alcohol.

If your cycle is out of whack, don’t immediately run to the doctor. Try, first, to eliminate external negative factors. Perhaps you have simply experienced stress and need a regular rest.

If the cycle does not recover for a long time, and the pregnancy test is negative, you need to undergo a full course of examinations:

visit a gynecologist for a detailed examination;
take smears;
perform an ultrasound scan;
donate blood;
conduct a hormonal examination.

Self-medication is highly discouraged, as it is life-threatening. In case of long-term failure, you need to contact a medical institution, since self-medication can lead to inflammatory diseases, infertility, and even death.

All women are recommended to keep their own personal calendar, where the onset of menstruation, its duration, the woman’s well-being, the quantity and quality of discharge are noted. Very convenient special computer and mobile programs have been created for various operating systems to simplify monitoring the menstrual cycle.

Condition of a woman during menstruation

Since complex processes occur in a woman’s body, which we discussed above, it is not surprising that they can affect her well-being. Let's look at the symptoms that a woman may experience a few days before her period begins, and which can be considered normal.

A woman may experience:

nagging pain in the lower abdomen or lumbar region;
swelling of the mammary glands;
fatigue and irritability;
muscle pain;
slight chills due to decreased body temperature;
headache.

All these signs do not indicate any pathology and are considered normal. They can be very weak and practically invisible, and some women do not even pay attention to them and do not feel discomfort.

But there are girls for whom the onset of menstruation is accompanied by poor health and sometimes they cannot do without medication. But painful periods are also normal, unless the pain becomes simply unbearable.

How many days does menstruation last? It is considered normal for menstruation to last approximately 3–5 days, but there may be slight deviations. Two to seven days is considered normal.

When should you see a doctor?

If a girl does not menstruate at the age of 15;
If the cycle is not regular for two years after the start of menstruation;
If periodic shortening or lengthening of the menstrual cycle occurs;
If your periods are very heavy. The amount of blood lost during the entire period of one cycle should be no more than 100 ml, and together with the endometrium 150 ml. Heavy discharge is a sign of hormonal imbalance, which is regulated medically, with the help of oral contraceptives;
If the ovulation period is very painful, ovarian rupture may occur.

If a woman is sexually active and has no complaints, preventive examinations every six months are recommended, since there are many asymptomatic infections that do not manifest themselves.

When is the cycle normal?

Usually, for the convenience of deciphering female processes, a cycle of 28 days is taken as a basis. This does not mean that the cycle ideally should be exactly like this.

First phase. It is also called the follicular phase. Lasts about 15 days from the first day of menstruation. During this period, the hormone estrogen is active. It promotes the maturation of the egg in the ovary.
Ovulation period, or ovulatory phase (15th day from the first day of menstruation). During ovulation, the egg is released from the ovary into the fallopian tube. This process is actively influenced by pituitary hormones.
Second phase (luteal phase). Lasts from the 15th day of the first day of menstruation to the 28th day. With the active work of brain hormones, the corpus luteum matures, which releases the follicle egg. If pregnancy occurs during ovulation, the corpus luteum of pregnancy is formed from the follicle.

If during the first phase the follicle does not have time to mature in order to burst during the period of ovulation, then the second phase of the cycle is delayed, thereby lengthening the cycle. Sometimes the delay under these circumstances can last up to two months. The next cycle, despite the previous one being protracted, may be normal in duration.

If such alternation occurs periodically, then we are talking about an irregular menstrual cycle. Another reason for a delay in menstruation may be the prolonged work of the corpus luteum. The reason for the early onset of menstruation may also be the corpus luteum. Only in this case, on the contrary, it ceases to exist too early.

And of course, the most important and pleasant reason for a long absence of menstruation is the onset of pregnancy. It can be easily determined by taking a pregnancy test, donating blood for hCG, or doing an ultrasound.

Do not forget that a woman’s health is the main guarantee of healthy offspring. And the health of her own children is the most important thing a mother can have. Take care of yourself and your family.

In the body of every woman during the childbearing period, cyclical processes occur monthly, which are called the menstrual cycle. Thanks to this process created by nature, a woman has the opportunity to become a mother and continue the human race.

Typically, a healthy woman has a menstrual cycle of 21-35 days. To know exactly when your monthly bleeding will occur, you need to mark these days on your menstrual calendar.

To regulate her menstrual cycle, it is advisable for every female to have a calendar in order to mark on which days her periods begin and end. This is especially important for teenage girls when their menstrual cycles are irregular.

Sometimes a menstrual calendar helps to understand whether medical attention is needed for irregular periods. For women of the childbearing period who are sexually active, the menstrual calendar will allow them to identify a delay in menstruation if pregnancy occurs, as well as calculate favorable days for conception or biological contraception.

The menstrual cycle is divided into periods during which corresponding changes and processes occur in a woman’s body. When pregnancy can occur depends on a certain period.

Phases of the menstrual cycle

There are 4 phases in a woman's menstrual cycle.

1. Menstrual phase

Starts from the first day of menstruation. During this period, the mucous membrane of the uterus (endometrium) is torn away from the walls and, together with blood, comes out through the vagina.

2. Follicular phase

This period lasts approximately 14 days after menstruation. At this time, follicles mature under the influence of follicle-stimulating hormone. Next, an egg is formed in the follicle. The second phase is also characterized by the formation of new endometrial mucosa of the uterus with the help of the hormone estrogen.

3. Ovulation

During this period, the amount of follicle-stimulating hormone decreases. It is replaced by the production of luteinizing hormone, which promotes the appearance of cervical mucus, receptive to sperm. During this same period, the formation of the egg ends. lasts approximately 3 days. The mature egg moves through the tubes and “lives” there for 2 days, awaiting fertilization. If pregnancy does not occur, then the next phase of the menstrual cycle begins.

4. Luteal phase

When the egg leaves the follicle, the endometrium begins to prepare for the acceptance (implantation) of the fertilized egg. If fertilization has occurred, then after 6-14 days the fertilized egg attaches to the wall of the uterus and begins to be produced, to which pregnancy tests respond. Next, the fertilized egg develops.
If pregnancy does not occur, the corpus luteum and egg die and the first phase begins.

For each woman, the duration of each phase is different and depends on the functioning of hormones, lifestyle, and the woman’s health.

Duration of the menstrual cycle

A cycle is considered to be the period of time from menstruation to menstruation. The beginning of the cycle is the first day of menstruation of one month, the end of the cycle is the last day before the next menstruation. The normal period is considered to be 21-35 days. The minimum interval between menstruation should be at least 10 days. If the menstrual cycle does not correspond to the norm for some time, the woman should consult a doctor.

Sometimes there are “glitches” in the menstrual cycle, which should not frighten a woman. However, if the irregularity of the cycle is often observed, then advice from a specialist will not hurt.

Menstrual irregularities

Violations can manifest themselves in different ways, for example:

- uterine bleeding without damage to the genital organs;
- bleeding between periods;
- bleeding at different periods without any schedule;
- no bleeding for a long period

Causes of menstrual irregularities

There are many reasons why menstrual irregularities occur, and they are individual for each woman.

For example:
1. disruption of normal ovarian function.
2. hormonal disorders.
3. cancer.
4. gynecological diseases - chronic inflammation, polyps, cysts.
5. abortions.
6. operations on the ovaries.
7. blood clotting disorder.
8. other surgical interventions.

A woman should remember that even in the absence of menstruation, pregnancy may occur if the menstrual cycle is disrupted.

Sex during menstruation

Whether or not to have sex during menstruation is a controversial issue. Many experts believe that if a woman is healthy and a man is not embarrassed by blood, then sex during menstruation is not prohibited. One of the important conditions is careful hygiene before and after sex. It's better if your partner uses a condom.

Since during this period the cervix is open and everything that is in the vagina has access to the uterus. To avoid infection (since blood is an excellent environment for bacteria), precautions should be taken - a condom, careful hygiene of the genitals.

But sexologists note the positive aspects of sex during menstruation for a woman. They believe that it is at this time that one can experience a more vivid orgasm, since the vagina is sufficiently moisturized. In addition, this helps to push blood out of the uterus and relax, accordingly, reducing pain, if any, during menstruation.

However, sometimes you can get pregnant during your period. This happens rarely, but it still happens if two eggs mature at ovulation.

How to calculate your menstrual cycle

If the cycle is regular, then you need to write down when the first day of menstruation occurs. Next month, mark the day the next period begins and count how many days have passed from the beginning to the beginning. This will be a cycle. The calculation is usually based on an average of 28 days. There are several ways to calculate the menstrual cycle.

1. 18 days are subtracted from 28 - this is the first period of safe days, i.e. in which you can not be afraid of getting pregnant. This turns out to be the first 10 days from the start of menstruation. If menstruation lasts 3 days, then the next 7 days will be safe. However, it is worth remembering that sperm can live for 5 days. Therefore, during the last 2 safe days, sex may pose a risk of pregnancy.

The next 9 days will be dangerous, i.e. Ovulation will occur and pregnancy may occur. The remaining 9 days will be safe again. This method of contraception is called biological. It can also be used to count favorable days for conception.

2. You can calculate the cycle using . It should be measured in the morning in the mouth, vagina or rectum. The readings will be low at the beginning. During ovulation, the temperature rises. Sometimes there is a decline first, then a sharp rise. When ovulation passes, the temperature drops again. This method can be used as protection against pregnancy, and as a favorable period for conception.

Both methods are used provided that the woman is healthy and her cycle is fairly regular. If any deviations from the norm are suddenly observed, you should consult a specialist, and do not use the above methods as contraception.

How to restore your menstrual cycle

Before restoring the menstrual cycle, the cause of its irregularity is first identified. If these are diseases, then they should be treated. Sometimes stress can be a consequence of cycle disruption. In this case, it is recommended to exclude the source of stress and take sedatives, which can only be prescribed by a doctor. In case of hormonal imbalance, you should take medications prescribed by your doctor, vitamins C, E, folic acid, herbal medicines.

If the cause of the cycle disruption is tumors, then it is restored after surgery and a period of rehabilitation with the use of vitamin therapy.

The cause of menstrual irregularities in the absence of pathologies can be stress and fatigue of a woman. Sometimes a simple change of environment, rest and taking vitamins help restore the menstrual cycle. While the cycle is recovering, some women may experience pain during their periods.

Menstrual pain

Many women at an appointment with a gynecologist note that they experience pain during menstruation. Sometimes they are so strong that women resort to medication.

Some experts identify the main cause of menstrual pain as heredity. Often, painful sensations during menstruation can be a consequence of previous diseases, such as fibroids, infectious diseases of the genital organs. After childbirth, pain during menstruation becomes weaker or disappears.

Menstrual pain occurs due to excess amounts of prostaglandin hormones, which cause spasm of the muscle tissue of the uterus. Taking drugs such as no-spa, papaverine, ibuprofen reduces pain and reduces the amount of prostaglandins. Among the folk remedies, tea made from yarrow and chamomile is suitable. A hot heating pad or a bath with sea salt will help relieve spasms and alleviate a woman’s condition during her menstrual periods.

A woman’s physiology is designed in such a way that she is a continuator of the family. All thanks to the menstrual cycle. And for it to be normal, it is important for every woman to take care of her health, avoid stress, and love herself. And then the joy of motherhood will give you many unforgettable sensations.

Each organism is strictly individual. To maintain health, ladies should have an idea of how their body works, what a normal menstrual cycle is, how many days it lasts and how to determine this condition. Scientific facts will help you understand these questions. After all, knowledge about the menstrual cycle makes it possible for representatives of the fair sex to independently determine whether they have problems in the sexual sphere even before visiting a doctor.

Some anatomical and physiological features of the female body

The external female genitalia (pubis, labia, vestibular bulb, large and small vestibular glands, clitoris) are designed to protect the internal genital organs. The labia minora border the urethral opening and the vestibule of the vagina. The clitoris is the connection point of these organs. It is rich in nerve endings, so its main function is to bring pleasure to a woman. Inside, the vagina is connected to the cervix. Next, the uterus expands, a fertilized egg (zygote) enters it, from which the fetus is subsequently formed. If the egg is not fertilized, it leaves the body along with bloody discharge. Accordingly, the place prepared for implantation of the zygote also becomes unnecessary. 2 weeks after ovulation, the endometrial epithelium is torn off and excreted in the form of bloody discharge. After this, the cycle repeats again.

Cycle phases

How many days does the menstrual cycle (MC) last? This question interests many. The duration of this process under ideal conditions should be 28 days. Theoretically, the female body is ready for pregnancy every month. Girls whose MC is more than 28 days but less than 36 days should not worry, since all these are normal variants. A long cycle between periods is most likely an indicator of a long first half of the cycle, that is, the follicular phase. Under such conditions, the oocyte simply needs more time to mature. Any changes in the rhythms of the cycles should be a reason to consult a doctor.

Phases of the menstrual cycle:

Stage I (menstrual). One of the most painful, since at this time menstrual flow and epithelial rejection are observed. The first days are the most painful period in the cycle. On average, the first phase of the menstrual cycle ranges from 3-6 days. The first day of menstruation is considered to be the beginning of MC.
Stage II (follicular). The content of pituitary hormones in the blood increases. The main one is FSH (follicle-stimulating hormone), it stimulates the ovaries to produce eggs (female reproductive cells). Follicles are sacs in the ovaries that are filled with fluid. Each follicle contains an immature egg. FSH activates the maturation of a certain number of follicles. The ovaries produce female steroid hormones (estrogens), which prepare the endometrium for implantation of a fertilized cell. The second phase of the cycle lasts 14 days.
Stage III (ovulatory). The duration of the phase is about three days. A mature egg leaves the follicle and then moves through the fallopian tubes to the uterus. By the time of puberty, girls have up to half a million eggs in their ovaries. Their laying occurs during the embryonic period. The process of an egg leaving the follicle is called ovulation. How many eggs mature in one cycle? About 20 gametes normally mature in the ovary every month. When a follicle ruptures, one, or less often 2-3, eggs emerge from its cavity. Very often, ovulation in girls is accompanied by severe pain. Most often it hurts in the lower abdomen.
Stage IV (luteal). The duration of the phase varies in the range of 10-16 days. At this time, many hormones (progesterone and estrogen) are synthesized, preparing the entire body for bearing a child.

Read also 🗓 At what age will a woman’s period stop?

Normal cycle

How long is the normal menstrual cycle? There is no clear answer to this question. For each lady this figure is strictly individual. Doctors identify a number of signs that characterize normal MC:

Cycle stability. Deviations of 2-3 days are considered normal. Some representatives of the fair sex have a cycle shorter than 21 days, while others have a longer cycle than 35 days. Scientists explain this by the morphofunctional characteristics of the body, so if the duration of the cycle remains unchanged for a long time, this is not considered a disorder.
During the menstrual period, the volume of blood lost should be no more than 80 ml. It is worth noting that menstrual blood does not clot, as it contains an anticoagulant - the enzyme plasmin.
Normally, the duration of bleeding should be from 3 to 7 days.
Menstruation should not be too painful.

Permissible deviations

How long the menstrual cycle lasts in healthy women, as well as the volume of discharge, largely depends on various life circumstances (diet, exposure to stress factors, taking contraceptives, giving birth, etc.). There are many reasons for a missed period, but is a long-term physiological delay possible?

Deviations from normal periods are most often observed in young girls and women before menopause. It is believed that a delay in menstruation of up to six months may be normal. Sometimes changes, a change in the menstrual cycle, are observed in girls after their first sexual experience. Experts explain this fact as a strong emotional shock. However, normally the discrepancies should not exceed several days from the established cycle.

During the postpartum period, women may also experience disruptions in the menstrual cycle. Under ideal conditions, pregnancy should not be accompanied by menstruation. If a young mother does not breastfeed her baby, then the menstrual cycle is quickly restored and returns to normal in the shortest possible time. This is due to the low concentration of prolactin in the blood of women.

How to count a cycle

The first menstrual bleeding is observed in girls during adolescence at the age of 10-16 years. They tend to be irregular at first, but after a few years the cycle becomes established. Under physiological conditions, the female cycle lasts from 21 to 35 days ± 3 days. Violations of this rhythm may indicate serious malfunctions in the functioning of internal organs and systems, as well as the development of certain diseases.

Read also 🗓 Hemoglobin during menstruation

Many readers are looking for an answer to the question of how to determine the menstrual cycle, how many days it lasts, and how to calculate it. What is physiology and what is pathology? The menstrual cycle is calculated from the beginning of one period to the beginning of the next. For the convenience of describing female processes, 28 days are taken as a basis. In order to calculate how many days are in a cycle, you need to subtract the date of the previous ones from the date of the current menstruation and add one day (For example: the date of the current menstruation is March 25, the previous one is March 2. MC 25 - 2 + 1 = 24 days).

When to see a doctor

Doctors recommend that all girls and women keep a calendar for monitoring menstruation. The calendar of women's monthly cycles helps determine their regularity and duration, as well as the duration of menstruation. This information will be useful not only to the patient, but also to the treating doctor.

Common causes of irregular periods:

stressful situations;
physical or mental fatigue;
starvation;
systematic lack of sleep;
diets;
avitaminosis;
hormonal imbalance;
autoimmune abnormalities;
diseases of the genitourinary system (endometriosis, oophoritis, uterine fibroids, cystitis, polycystic ovaries, adnexitis);
alcohol or nicotine intoxication;
prolonged depression;
pathology of the endocrine system;
taking certain medications;
acclimatization;
exhaustion;
presence of chronic diseases;
psychological shocks;
obesity;
presence of neoplasms;
unfavorable environment.

The above factors negatively affect the functioning of all organs and systems of the body. In this case, the reproductive system is no exception. In this regard, a normal menstrual cycle (MC) should last between 21 and 36 days. Menstruation that follows the specified interval is called regular, normal, ideal or regular.

Every lady must know what happens in the female body during menstruation and when to seek help from a specialist:

The mammary glands hurt and swell.
Irregular periods.
Paleness, dizziness.
The duration of menstruation is more than a week.
Vaginal itching.
Rare or, conversely, frequent menstruation.
General weakness.
Menstruation outside the cycle.
Severe pain in the abdomen (such menstrual pain most often worries girls and nulliparous women) or in the area of the external genitalia.
Menstruation is accompanied by severe pain and general weakness of the body;
Menstruation is accompanied by heavy discharge.
The general body temperature increases.

Editor's Choice

Where is pas de calais

His, so to speak, progenitor. The English Channel for the British is the English Channel, and most often just the Channel, but in the linguistic tradition of the majority...

Berserk (combat pharmacology): salbutamol

Doping for testing. 12 drugs from the pharmacy that are prohibited in sports “Match TV” tells you which popular drugs should be avoided...

Prayer for worms and parasites Prayer for parasites to leave the body

First of all, it is skin color. He becomes sickly pale. The patient feels constant fatigue and apathy. It's difficult for him...

For osteochondrosis Prayers or conspiracies for osteochondrosis

Displacement of the vertebrae (their subluxation) is a pathological condition that is accompanied by displacement and rotation of the vertebrae, as well as narrowing...

Methods of psychotherapy. Psychotherapy. Psychotherapy: goals, objectives, methods Methods of psychological therapy

When solving problems of psychotherapy, the therapist uses methods and forms of psychotherapy. It is necessary to distinguish between methods and forms (techniques)...

Getting rid of growth using a wart spell

In this article: Warts can cause a lot of trouble. They are difficult to get rid of, they can cause inconvenience, and even...

Treatment of warts with spells

There are several ways to get rid of such a common, but at the same time unpleasant thing as a wart. Firstly, this is a visit to...

Urological diseases in men: symptoms and treatment

Bozhedomov V.A. Introduction Patients with infection or disease of the genitourinary tract constitute the largest group of patients seeking...

Tendinitis - description, causes, diagnosis, treatment Tendinitis on the foot according to the ICD

Foot tendinitis is a common disease characterized by inflammatory and degenerative processes in tendon tissue. At...

New

Popular