How Does a Woman’s Menstrual Cycle Work?

This is an important question for both women and their partners. Every month, a woman’s reproductive system produces hormones to prepare the body for pregnancy. These hormones stimulate the ovaries to produce an egg (ovulation) which is released into the fallopian tubes.

At this time, there are also changes in the uterus lining which make it thicker so that if fertilisation occurs, the egg can implant and pregnancy can begin. If there is no fertilisation, the egg simply dissolves and the uterus lining is shed, leading to menstruation.

Menstruation usually happens every 28-32 days but this varies from woman to woman and it’s normal for cycles to vary in length over time. The amount of bleeding varies too and it is important for women to be aware that the amount of bleeding can indicate health issues.

Many women experience pre-menstrual syndrome (PMS) symptoms such as feeling low, tired or irritable. This is normal and should not cause alarm unless these feelings become severe or interfere with everyday life.

Keeping track of your menstrual cycle is a good way to understand your body and recognise any irregularities. It is essential for women to stay informed about their own menstrual cycle as well as how it relates to gynaecological health.

During certain parts of the cycle – usually around ovulation and menstruation – there can be an increase in estrogen levels and a decrease in progesterone. This can affect how much energy a woman has, which may limit her ability to work out or participate in physical activities.

Regular visits to a doctor, gynaecologist or nurse are helpful on days like this, as keeping track of your period can also help you plan ahead for days when you may be feeling more tired than usual or if there are physical activities that you are looking to avoid on those days.

Knowing how the menstrual cycle works can also help couples to plan romantic moments or plan times when they may not want to have unprotected sex in order to avoid unwanted pregnancy.

It is also important to note that some women may experience extreme fatigue, cramping and other symptoms associated with PMS. For those women, it is important to properly rest and take care of one’s body before engaging in physical activities.

Knowing the menstrual cycle can also help women better understand their mood swings as certain hormonal fluctuations can trigger emotions such as sadness, anger or anxiety. If women are aware of when hormones are at their highest or lowest levels, they can better self-manage these emotions by knowing how their bodies might be affected during certain days of their cycle.