Menstrual cycle
Photo by Sora Shimazaki on Pexels.com

Menstrual cycle: 9 important facts everyone should know

Even if you’ve missed the topic on menstrual cycle in health class, as long as you are female, you will get a visit from Aunt Flo when you hit puberty until the day you go into menopause. Many women spend their entire lives dealing with their monthlies and all the frills that come with it but never really understand the reasons for anything that is happening to them.

They know that at a certain point of the month they are moody, have trouble sleeping, get food cravings, cramps in the lower abdomen and back, bloating, breasts tenderness and acne. Another time, they feel aroused often and yearn to be touched sexually.

They may have intercourse with a male around this time and two weeks later they experience another batch of symptoms including nausea, constipation, bloating, changes in discharge and spotting. These may make them wonder if they are about to have their period, if they are pregnant or have a serious medical concern.

The menstrual cycle is complexed and different for every woman. Some females get pregnant just after having unprotected sex once. Other women in their late 30s and early 40s learn about their menstrual cycle because they want to figure out why they are having difficulty trying to conceive. Women can save themselves the surprises and heartbreaks if they know these 9 important facts about their menstrual cycle.

9 facts to know about menstrual cycle

1. Regular cycles from 21 to 45 days are normal

The common menstrual cycle lasts 28 days however a cycle that is regular and lasts anywhere between 21 to 45 days is normal. Even if your cycle is 35 days one month and 37 the next, it is still considered normal. An irregular menstrual cycle is when one cycle is 26 days, another is 31, you have no periods for two months and then you have one.

Track your cycle on a calendar to learn how yours work by recording the date when a period begins. The next time you have a period, record that date as the start of your next menstrual cycle. After 4 months of doing this, you will see if you have a regular or irregular cycle.

2. Ovulation starts in the middle of the cycle

Getting pregnant or preventing pregnancy is dependent on ovulation which happens in the middle of your menstrual cycle. Women with a 28-day cycle who are trying to conceive or trying to avoid getting pregnant, count 14 days to know when they are most fertile. This tells them it is either time to have a lot of sex or no sex at all.

Before you track your ovulation window, you should know the length of your menstrual cycle. If you have a regular one, then this should be easy. If your cycle is 26 days, then count 13 days to know when you are most fertile. If you have an irregular cycle and you have no idea when you ovulate, then you can read number 5 on discharge to see what it tells you about ovulation.

71z YrtqQgL. AC SL1500

Modern Fertility Ovulation Test

Find your 2 most fertile days, predict ovulation, and get in sync with your cycle.

20 Ovulation Tests

3. Sperm that’s inside you before ovulation can get you pregnant

A woman’s fertile window in the menstrual cycle is the only time she can get pregnant but it does not mean the only time she should or should not have sex. In a 28-day cycle, she is most fertile between days 13 and 15, but let’s say she has sexual intercourse on day 10, she can still get pregnant.

Why? This is because sperm can live up to 5 days inside a woman. The sneaky sperm waits around for the egg to be released to fertilise it. This explains why some couples are surprised when they get a positive pregnancy test even though they engaged in sex before the woman’s fertile window started. It also explains why some couples who believe they are having sex during the estimated fertile window are unsuccessful with pregnancy. The woman may have ovulated later than the last cycle and the sperm would have died by the time she ovulated.

4. Irregular menstrual cycle is caused by stress, medication, weight loss, PCOS and more

The menstrual cycle is regulated by the complex interaction of hormones: luteinising hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone, and the female sex hormones estrogen and progesterone. Even though a woman may have a regular cycle, there are many factors that can cause her period to behave differently.

Stress makes a hormone called cortisol which interferes with the brain causing delayed, light or no period at all. Medications such as hormone replacement, blood thinners, antidepressants, aspirin and chemotherapy can interfere with your menstrual cycle. Rapid weight loss or weight gain can affect the production of the hormones needed for ovulation and cause an irregular cycle. Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, thyroid problems, uterine fibroids, endometriosis and cervical cancer can cause irregular periods. A Pap Smear and ultrasound will help you to detect if you have any serious medical concerns.

311cdWPwmVS. SL500

Modern Fertility Pregnancy Test

Test for pregnancy and trust the result — plain and simple.

4 Pregnancy Tests

5. Discharge tells a lot about you during your menstrual cycle

Women can look at the fluid on their underwear and have an idea of what is going on with their bodies. Clear and watery discharge is normal and can keep the vagina lubricated. Arousal mucous increases during foreplay to prepare the vagina for painless intercourse. When you are about to ovulate, your mucous is clear and slippery. Your mucous increases slightly during early pregnancy.

However, if your cervical mucous is thick and you feel itchy, you may have a yeast infection. Brown or bloody discharge between periods can be a sign of implantation, early miscarriage, fibroids, endometrial or cervical cancer. Talk to your doctor about concerns you may have about changes to your discharge.

6. Symptoms are similar for PMS, ovulation, pregnancy and PCOS

Sometimes it is very difficult for a woman to tell whether she is going through PMS, ovulating, experiencing early pregnancy signs, or having a regular moment with hormonal imbalance. This is because the symptoms of these occurrences are very similar.

Common symptoms experienced during hormonal changes are mood swings, feeling anxious or irritable, tiredness or trouble sleeping, bloating, nausea, constipation, breast tenderness, headaches and acne. Women with PCOS know all too well that using ovulation and pregnancy tests are the only accurate ways to confirm their status.

s2459261 main zoom

Caudalie Vinoperfect Radiance Dark Spot Serum

What it is: A highly concentrated, oil-free brightening serum to combat dark spots, visibly even skin tone, and boost your glow—now new-and-improved so it‘s more effective, cleaner, and in sustainable packaging.

Skin Type: Normal and Combination

Skincare Concerns: Dark Spots, Dullness, and Loss of Firmness and Elasticity

US$79.00

7. Your period affects your body odour

According to Healthline, hormone fluctuations cause you to smell differently. Research has found that women at high fertility within their menstrual cycle actually put out a different, perceived to be more attractive, scent to men than those at low fertility in their cycle.

Some women on their period may notice the blood smells metallic, rotten, sweet, fishy or like body odour. These scents can affect the overall way that a woman smells which people around her may find repulsive. Taking daily showers and making sure you change tampons, liners, or pads every few hours are proper hygiene habits that can help combat the usual odours associated with menstruation.

8. Folic acid plays a crucial role in your menstrual cycle

Folic acid is a B vitamin that the body needs to prevent certain types of anemia including iron deficiency anemia that is common with heavy periods. This type of anemia causes you to feel tired all the time, weak, dizzy or short of breath. Women who are pregnant or might become pregnant take folic acid to prevent serious birth defects such as spina bifida.

Folic acid is normally found in foods such as dried beans, peas, lentils, oranges, whole-wheat products, liver, asparagus, beets, broccoli, brussels sprouts, and spinach. It helps your body produce and maintain new cells, and also helps prevent changes to DNA that may lead to cancer. Eat foods rich in folic acid or take a supplement to ensure you have a healthy menstrual cycle.

58

Solumeve, Folic Acid Gummies, Gelatin Free, Assorted Flavors, 100 Vegetarian Gummies

By Solumeve

  • Assorted Flavors
  • Supports Heart Health*
  • No Gelatin, Gluten, GMOs or Soy
  • No Artificial Colors, Flavors or Sweeteners
  • Dietary Supplement Produced in a cGMP Facility

9. Period symptoms are similar to implantation

Many women who are anxious to know if they are pregnant or not can be confused with the symptoms that are similar for both period and early pregnancy. A woman may see light bleeding on day 1 of an estimated menstrual cycle and assume that her period has started but this can also be a sign of implantation bleeding which happens when a fertilised egg nestles into the uterine lining.

She may also experience cramping, sore breasts, constipation or diarrhoea, feel bloated or gassy, and have headaches and mood swings. All of these are also symptoms of both period and implantation taking place.

To tell the difference, you must know that implantation bleeding has a pink or brown colour that is light spotting for 1 to 3 days with no clotting and mild cramps. Menstrual bleeding however starts off pink or brown, changes to bright red, has a strong flow, may form clots, lasts up to 5 to 7 days and cramping is more intense and lasts longer.

Every month in 2024 we will be giving away one PlayStation 5. To qualify join our Facebook group, TikTok and Subscribe to our Sweet TnT Magazine YouTube channel

When you buy something through our retail links, we may earn commission and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes.

_____________________________________________

You may also like:

Trying to conceive: 6 best practices for couples

Pregnant women comfort guide with 10 useful tips

PCOS treatment for fertility, hair growth, clear skin

Hot flashes: 5 relief tips for women on the go

Boost immune system naturally with 5 habits

Erectile dysfunction: 7 early signs men shouldn’t ignore

Glass bottles can help balance hormones

Glass bowls: Balance hormones when you store food

Baby making advice – doctors vs mothers

Vervain: 23 Uses, benefits and side effects of the incredible plant

Belly fat reduced after 6 easy lifestyle changes

Breast Cancer: Help increase survival rates in 6 steps

Erectile dysfunction: 7 early signs men shouldn’t ignore

World Mental Health Day: Be nice to everyone in 5 easy ways

Alone time: 10 Alarming signs it’s too little or too much

Relieve stress: 5 easy ways to calm your nerves fast

samsung galaxy s21 5g phantom grey 128gb and 8gb ram sm g991b

Galaxy S21 | S21+ | S21 Ultra

Galaxy S21 Ultra

5G6.8-inch Display From $599.99ᶿOriginal Price:$1199.99

Galaxy S21+ 5G

6.7-inch Display From $399.99ᶿOriginal Price:$999.99

Galaxy S21 5G

6.2-inch Display From $199.99ᶿOriginal Price:$799.99

About Sweet TnT

Our global audience visits sweettntmagazine.com daily for the positive content about almost any topic. We at Culturama Publishing Company publish useful and entertaining articles, photos and videos in the categories Lifestyle, Places, Food, Health, Education, Tech, Finance, Local Writings and Books. Our content comes from writers in-house and readers all over the world who share experiences, recipes, tips and tricks on home remedies for health, tech, finance and education. We feature new talent and businesses in Trinidad and Tobago in all areas including food, photography, videography, music, art, literature and crafts. Submissions and press releases are welcomed. Send to contact@sweettntmagazine.com. Contact us about marketing Send us an email at contact@sweettntmagazine.com to discuss marketing and advertising needs with Sweet TnT Magazine. Request our media kit to choose the package that suits you.

Check Also

Myopia

The myopia epidemic: Understanding, impact, and preventive measures

Forget squinting at distant objects – the myopia epidemic is no longer just a personal …

Red Bentuangie Kratom

7 Things to know before you buy Red Bentuangie Kratom

If you’re considering the purchase of Red Bentuangie Kratom, you’re likely looking for a natural …

Leave a Reply

Discover more from Sweet TnT Magazine

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Continue reading