What is The Purpose of The Menstrual Cycle

Menstruation is a natural thing experienced by a woman. Although it has been experienced since I was a teenager, not all women know what actually happens in the body during the menstrual cycle.

The menstrual cycle is a change in a woman's body, especially in the reproductive organs. Menstruation occurs when the lining of the uterine wall (endometrium) thickens due to the absence of fertilization of the egg. The menstrual cycle for each woman varies, can occur between 23-35 days, but the average menstrual cycle is 28 days.

Hormones that Affect Phases in the Menstrual Cycle
Basically, the menstrual cycle is divided into several phases which are regulated by five hormones in the body. The hormones in question include:

Estrogen

The hormone produced in the ovary plays a role in the body, especially at ovulation in the female reproductive cycle. The hormone estrogen also plays a role in changes in the body of adolescents during puberty and is involved in the re-formation of the uterine lining after the menstrual period.

Progesterone

This hormone works with estrogen to maintain the reproductive cycle and maintain pregnancy. As with estrogen, progesterone is also produced in the ovary and plays a role in thickening the uterine wall.

Gonadotropin releasing hormone (Gonadotrophin-releasing hormone-GnRh)

Produced by the brain, this hormone helps stimulate the body to produce follicle stimulating hormones and pelutein hormones.

Luteinizing hormone (LH)

The egg and ovulation process is produced by the ovary thanks to the stimulation of this hormone.

Follicle stimulating hormone-FSH

This hormone functions to help the egg cells in the ovary mature and ready to be released. This hormone is produced in the pituitary gland in the lower part of the brain.

Phases in the Menstrual Cycle

First Phase - Menstruation

The phase in the first menstrual cycle usually occurs for 3-7 days. At this time, the lining of the uterine wall decays into menstrual blood. The amount of blood that comes out during the menstrual period ranges from 30-40 ml in each cycle.

On the first day to day 3, more menstrual blood will come out. At this time, usually women will feel pain or cramps in the pelvis, legs and back.

Pain in the abdomen which is also often felt in the first days of menstruation is triggered due to contractions in the uterus. This uterine muscle contraction occurs because of an increase in the hormone prostaglandin during menstruation.

The strong contractions in the uterus can cause oxygen supply to the uterus not to run smoothly. Because of this lack of oxygen intake, cramps or abdominal pain are felt during menstruation.

Although it causes pain, the contractions that occur during menstruation actually function to help push and expel the uterine lining that is completely shed into menstrual blood.

The loss of the uterine lining is also caused by a decrease in estrogen and progesterone levels. At the same time, follicle stimulating hormones (FSH) begin to increase slightly and provoke the development of 5-20 follicles (bags containing the ovary) in the ovary. Of the few follicles that develop, only one follicle that continues to develop will produce estrogen.

During this menstrual period your estrogen hormone will be at a low level. So do not be surprised if you are emotionally easier to be angry or offended during the menstrual period.

Second Phase - Pre-ovulation and Ovulation

In the pre-ovulation phase, the lining of the uterine wall that has been shed will begin to thicken again. The lining of the uterine wall is quite thin, so that sperm can pass through this layer easily and can last more or less 3-5 days. The process of thickening the uterus is triggered by an increase in hormones.

Maybe you had thought that ovulation always happened on the 14th day after the first cycle. But in fact the ovulation period of each woman is not the same, depending on each menstrual cycle and several factors, such as weight loss, stress, illness, diet and exercise.

If you are planning to have a baby, it's a good idea to have an intimate relationship with your husband during the preovulation period until ovulation. Because, this is the best time that allows fertilization. In addition, sperm can last approximately 3 to 5 days in the womb.

Third Phase - Pre Menstruation

In this phase the lining of the uterine wall thickens. This is because follicles that have ruptured and secrete eggs, forming the corpus luteum. The corpus luteum then produces progesterone which makes the lining of the uterus thicker.

If fertilization does not occur, you will begin to experience premenstrual symptoms (PMS), such as changes in emotions that are more sensitive and changes in physical conditions, such as breast pain, dizziness, fatigue, or bloating. In addition to these symptoms, the corpus luteum will degenerate and stop producing progesterone. If fertilization does not occur, progesterone and estrogen levels will decrease, the lining of the uterine wall will also collapse until it becomes menstrual blood.

If you experience irregular menstrual cycles, menstruation more than 7 days, or do not experience menstruation for 3 months in a row, immediately consult your obstetrician. The doctor will do an examination to find out your condition. That way, the irregularities that appear can be immediately detected and given proper handling.

Share this post