Phases of the menstrual cycle

Before talking about the phases of the menstrual cycle, I must say that he represents himself. The menstrual cycle is a monthly physiological change in the ovaries and genitalia of a woman that takes place in order to prepare the body for a possible pregnancy. In this process not only reproductive organs take part, an important role is assigned to the brain and hormonal system.

The entire cycle can be conditionally divided into four segments. Some scientists talk about the incorrectness of this division and distinguish only two phases of the menstrual cycle: follicular and luteal. In fact, both classifications are almost identical. Most accurately reflects the processes of preparation for a probable pregnancy the first classification that distinguishes four phases of the menstrual cycle. They will be discussed below.

The first two phases reflect the preparation for the formation of the ovum, the latter two - the formation of the egg, the preparation for conception and the conception / death of the egg. Let's consider each of them separately.

The first phase of the cycle begins on the very first day of menstruation. At this time, the endometrium is rejected, and the body directs its attention to the formation of a new egg. By time this process takes from three to six days, but even before the end of the month, the next phase, the follicular phase, begins .

The second cycle period lasts approximately two weeks after the monthly periods have ended. The cycle in this segment is focused on the development under the influence of the hormone follicles, in one of which (the dominant one) the egg will later mature. At the same time, estrogen renews the lining of the uterus and makes the cervical mucus immune to sperm.

The duration of the next period, the phase of ovulation, is approximately three days. At this time, the level of follicle-stimulating hormones will drop , which give way to luteinizing, which makes the cervical mucus susceptible to sperm. In addition, this hormone affects the completion of the maturation of the egg, after which it is released from the follicle (ovulation occurs). A ripe egg moves into the fallopian tubes, where it expects fertilization for about two days.

It is replaced by the fourth phase of the menstrual cycle - luteal. After releasing the egg from the follicle, it goes to fertilization, and the follicle starts producing progesterone. The role of progesterone is to prepare the endometrium of the uterus to absorb a fertilized egg. Simultaneously, the production of luteinizing hormone ceases , which again makes the cervical connection insensitive to sperm. The duration of the fourth phase of the cycle can last up to 16 days. The body is in the stage of waiting for the absorption by the uterus of a fertilized egg, which occurs on the 6-12 day after the moment of fertilization.

If the uterus has taken an egg, immediately begins to develop a special hormone, under the influence of which the yellow body will function throughout pregnancy. It is to this hormone that pregnancy tests are sensitive.

If fertilization does not occur, the egg together with the yellow body dies off, progesterone ceases to be produced, then the destruction and rejection of the endometrium inevitably follows. In other words, the periods begin, and all phases of the menstrual cycle again replace one another.

The following fact is noteworthy. All four phases of the menstrual cycle develop under the influence of hormones that affect not only the physiology, but also the emotional state of the woman. The ancient Chinese believed that the knowledge of the features of each stage of the cycle is directly related to the well-being of the woman. Thus, the accumulation of energy occurs before ovulation, therefore, if a woman kept energy in the first half of the cycle, it allowed her to live in harmony with herself and the surrounding world.