Once a month it comes to bleeding, but how?
Between the eleventh and thirteenth year of life of a girl, the menstrual cycle usually begins. It is an average of 28 days, during which it comes to ovulation and the period. If necessary, the menstrual cycle can last between 26 and 32 days. This natural process is controlled by the female sex hormones, which affect the vagina, uterus, cervix, ovaries and fallopian tubes. But what exactly happens during the period in the female body?
The four phases of the menstrual cycle
The menstrual period is only a small part of our cycle. It is preceded by some complicated processes, of which a woman only indirectly perceives something. The menstrual cycle comprises four phases: the period, the follicular phase, the ovulation phase, and the luteal phase.
Period: The beginning of the female cycle
The first day of the period is also the first day of our cycle. During menstruation, the lining of the uterus, together with the unfertilized oocyte, is expelled, resulting in vaginal bleeding.
Follicular phase: The body is preparing for pregnancy
After the period, the follicular phase, also known as the preovulatory phase, begins, which lasts about 14 days. The follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) in the female body increases and causes several follicles to begin to mature at the same time in the ovaries. There are eggs in the follicles that can potentially make their way to the uterus. In general, only one follicle survives while others die again.
In addition, during this time, the uterine lining builds up to give the matured egg cell a chance to nest after fertilization.
Ovulation Phase: Ovulation occurs between the follicular and luteal phases
At about day 14 of the cycle, the follicle bursts and releases an egg that can be fertilized. The egg is picked up by the fallopian tube, which it now walks along on its way to the uterus. An ovum can only be fertilized for the first 12 to 24 hours while it is still at the beginning of the fallopian tube. The period of possible fertilization is four to five days a month, as sperm can survive about three days in the female body.
The uterine lining is now completely built and supplied with nutrients and ready to receive a fertilized egg. In addition, the cervix mucus becomes thinner, making it easier for sperm to make their way through the vagina, cervix to find and cervix to the egg.
Luteal phase: Pregnant or not?
If the ovum is not fertilized, it dies. Now, the hormone balance changes, which can also affect the amount of happiness hormone serotonin. During this time, some women suffer from the so-called premenstrual syndrome (PMS). At the end of the luteal phase and at the beginning of the follicular phase, the uterine lining dissolves and is flushed out with plenty of blood: the period begins and a new cycle begins.
On the other hand, if the egg is fertilized, it nests in the uterine lining and continues to develop. A pregnancy has started, which is why the menstruation is absent.
Interesting facts about the period
Why is there the female cycle?
The menstrual cycle exists because the body thereby saves energy. If the female body were always ready for a fertilized egg cell, the body temperature would have to be permanently higher by about one degree. That does not sound so much, but it costs the body quite a lot of energy. The period is thus an “ingenious” invention to be more efficient.
How often do women have their days?
A woman has her menstruation 400 to 430 times in her life.
How much blood do I lose during my period?
A woman loses between 30 and 60 milliliters of blood during her bleeding.
Why do I have abdominal pain during my menstruation?
In order to repel the uterine lining faster and more effectively, the uterus contracts. This causes the classic abdominal pain during the period.
