Menstrual cycles tend to occur every 21 – 35 days in adult women and 21 – 45 days in younger teenagers. The cycle is counted from the first day of your period to the first day of your next period. Menstrual cycle is linked to fluctuations in your estrogen levels, luteinizing hormone and follicular stimulating hormone. During the first half your cycle (follicular phase), your body is estrogen-rich and the uterine lining becomes thickened in preparation for implantation of a fertilized egg. Halfway through your cycle, your ovary releases an egg into your fallopian tube. This phase is known as ovulation. Conception can occur if intercourse happens in the couple days preceding ovulation. If it occurs at the time of ovulation, the chance of pregnancy is small, because there is not enough time for the sperm to travel to the egg. If an egg released during the ovulation phase does not get fertilized and implant within the lining of the uterus, your progesterone and estrogen levels will drop, causing the uterus to shed its thickened lining during the luteal phase.
Day one of your cycle occurs with the start of your period. Thus, mark your calendar with “X” on the day your period starts. Bleeding tends to last three to five days on average, but this may fluctuate on individual basis. [5] X Trustworthy Source US Office on Women’s Health U. S. government agency providing resources for women’s health Go to source On the seventh day of your menstrual cycle, bleeding has usually ceased and your ovaries begin to form follicles in preparation for ovulation. This is the result of an increase in estrogen between days four to seven. [6] X Research source
On average, most adult women have a 28 day menstrual cycle. This means there are 28 days between the first days of your periods. However, your menstrual cycle may be slightly shorter or longer (adult women tend to have cycles that run 21 – 35 days. Thus, it is important your track your periods for a few months to determine the length of your cycle. As long as you get regular periods at more or less the same cycle interval, then your menstrual cycle is healthy. You can track your menstrual cycle by making a note on a calendar or, if you prefer, you can also use a smartphone app like Fertility Friend.
Once you have tracked your periods and established your cycle length, you can start marking your calendar to determine the first day of your subsequent periods. For example, if your cycle length is 28 days, mark your calendar (starting from the first day of your next period) with an “X” for every 28 days — this will represent the first day of your subsequent periods. If you are taking hormonal birth control pills, you will typically have the 28-day cycle due to the scheduling of the pills. Each pack of pills contains 21 hormonally active pills and seven sugar pills. On the day you run out of hormonally active pills, you typically begin your period. The period lasts the seven days (or less) during which you are eating the sugar pills. If you are taking extended or continuous use hormonal birth control pills, your periods will happen less frequently. Seasonale contains 84 active pills and seven days of inactive pills. In this case you would have a 91 day cycle.
Most women experience at least one PMS symptom as part of their menstrual cycle. Your symptoms can be both physical and emotional.
30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise and strength training two or more days a week can help with depression and fatigue that you may experience.
You can limit your salt intake and eat smaller, more frequent meals to alleviate some of the bloating and fluid retention. [12] X Trustworthy Source Cleveland Clinic Educational website from one of the world’s leading hospitals Go to source Taking a diuretic can help your body get rid of excess fluid and reduce bloating and weight gain as well. Medications like Pamprin and Midol contain diuretics.
Acne is also a common physical symptom that your period is on the way. [14] X Trustworthy Source FamilyDoctor. org Family-focused medical advice site run by the American Academy of Family Doctors Go to source
Counseling and therapy may also be helpful for dealing with the emotional aspect of PMDD. You should also see your doctor if your symptoms do not go away after your period starts, or you begin to see a change in the frequency or volume of your symptoms.
If you do not start your period by age 15, you should contact your doctor, as you may have a hormonal imbalance that is affecting the rest of your body as well. [17] X Trustworthy Source US Office on Women’s Health U. S. government agency providing resources for women’s health Go to source If your period is extra painful and you experience very heavy bleeding or bleeding that lasts longer than a week. If your period becomes irregular, delayed, or you have bleeding between established cycles.
If you have missed your period for more than three cycles after having regular periods, you may be experiencing secondary amenorrhea. Secondary amenorrhea may be a symptom of polycystic ovary syndrome. [19] X Research source The most common cause of secondary amenorrhea is pregnancy. Amenorrhea may result if you are unhealthy and your body is not able to support a regular period. This may be because of excessive stress, a hormonal disorder, or an eating disorder. If your amenorrhea is hormonally linked, then your fertility may be at risk. Talk to your doctor right away, especially if you are concerned that you suffer from polycystic ovaries.
In teens and younger women, dysmenorrhea is often caused by an excessive amount of prostaglandin. You may be able to regulate the amount of this hormone in your body by eating a healthy diet and maintaining a healthy weight most of the time. In more mature women, dysmenorrhea may manifest due to a serious medical condition such as endometriosis, fibroids, or adenomyosis. [21] X Trustworthy Source American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists Professional association of OB/GYNs focused on education and public outreat initiatives Go to source
Discomfort and bleeding after sex are serious signs of possible medical conditions. Make sure you talk to your doctor if any sexual activity or intercourse results in bleeding. Spotting between periods and heavy bleeding during your period can result in discomfort and are also warning signs that you need to heed.
Dysfunctional ovaries can lead to hormonal dysfunction and cause you to have abnormal periods. Polycystic ovary syndrome and premature ovarian insufficiency are two examples. [23] X Trustworthy Source Cleveland Clinic Educational website from one of the world’s leading hospitals Go to source Abnormalities in your reproductive structures caused by disease or infection can also cause you to have abnormal periods. Have your doctor check you out for endometriosis, pelvic inflammatory disease, or uterine fibroids. [24] X Trustworthy Source Cleveland Clinic Educational website from one of the world’s leading hospitals Go to source High stress, low body weight, and eating disorders take a large toll on your body and can disturb normal menstrual cycle. [25] X Trustworthy Source Cleveland Clinic Educational website from one of the world’s leading hospitals Go to source
