1. - 5. DAY: So what is menstruation?
"We consider the first day of bleeding to be day 1 of the cycle. From day 1 to day 5, your body secretes the inner layer of the uterus containing small blood vessels in the form of menstrual fluid. This uterine lining has formed over the last 4 weeks to support conception - fertilization of the egg occurs and sperm implant into this uterine lining to become a growing fetus, and about 9 months later a baby." says MUDr. Ingrid Valaská, gynaecologist from our Institute of Health and Beauty FRAIS. If fertilization and implantation do not occur, the body realizes that it does not need this uterine lining, so it expels it through the vagina in the form of menstrual fluid. Most women lose about 50-80 ml of fluid during menstruation, but this is individual. Some women also have cramps just before menstruation and during bleeding. This is usually because the muscles in your womb and abdomen are trying their best to contract and get rid of menstrual fluid.
Source: internet
1. - 13. DAY: Backstage - preparing the body for the next month
Even if your womb is busy excreting from 1. to 13. of the day, your brain is also busy releasing hormones. These hormones act on the ovaries and help the resident egg cells to grow and mature. It takes about 13 days for an egg cell to mature enough to be fertilised by sperm. These hormones also cause a build-up of the lining of the uterus, which promotes the formation of blood vessels and the muscle layer in the uterus.
14. DAY 14: Mexican ovulation wave
Until 14. On the day, in the middle of your menstrual cycle, your body has chosen the egg - the dominant follicle - that it thinks is best for fertilization. This egg cell is released from the ovary in a process called ovulation, and the egg is pushed above the fallopian tube by tiny cells that resemble a reproductive version of the Mexican wave. Approximately 20% of women experience ovulatory pain during this period, and sometimes only on one side where the egg is released.
Source: pexels
15. - 28. DAY: Window of opportunity for fertilization
After ovulation, your uterine lining is strong and ready. After the egg is released, there is only a brief opportunity for the egg cell to meet the sperm, fertilise and settle into this ideal lining. The body releases various hormones during this phase to promote conception during the 14 days in this second half of the menstrual cycle. The egg is capable of fertilization max 24 hours after expulsion.
"When a fertilised cell, or embryo, implants in the uterus, the body releases a hormone called hCG - the presence of this hormone is what pregnancy tests look for. If fertilization occurs, hormone levels continue to remain high and support the cells during pregnancy," the gynecologist adds.
Source: pexels
In most cases, when fertilization does not occur, hormone levels drop - this is the premenstrual stage, when many people experience a change in mood and physical symptoms or discomfort. This hormonal decline triggers menstruation as the lining of the uterus breaks down and leaves the body as menstrual fluid during the menstrual cycle.
Just like humans, a period can come in different shapes and sizes. Therefore, women may have individually different flow rates, cycle length, regularity and symptoms. Although this is often just a natural variation, it is important to know your body and seek medical help if you think something has changed or is wrong.
Menstruation is not a state of mind
There are a surprising number of men lately who are dealing with menstruation-related issues and thoughts. And it is also surprising how many men feel the need to express their opinion on these topics and present it as fact. Therefore, it is important to open up the discussion about women's cycles to all genders because everyone should be educated on the topic, not just the women who experience it. This discussion is also vitally important because of the goal of erasing misconceptions about menstruation and could help further education. Do you know what is the most common question men ask? "Are those cramps/pains really that bad?" Yes, they are. Of course, not all women experience cramps or pain during their periods and not all women experience the same intensity. Some women don't feel anything, there are even some who will tell you that they don't even know they are menstruating, while others are paralysed by unrelenting pain. This pain can sometimes be so severe that it can cause vomiting or migraines. In 2016, an American doctor published an article stating that you can compare this pain to the one you experience during a heart attack. Pain is never a joke, it should therefore be taken seriously and if it exceeds the norm it should be addressed with a doctor. It is quite interesting to realise that women have a higher pain threshold than men, so who knows how some of the pain would be described by the opposite sex.
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