Regular menstruation is a dream of every woman - it facilitates not only natural contraception, but also everyday functioning and planning. When can we talk about regular menstruation and what disturbs the regularity of the monthly cycle?

When the mature egg leaves the ovary on the 14th day of the cycle and after 3-4 days it reaches the uterus, the uterine mucosa (endometrium) thickens, becomes hyperemic and accumulates nutrients. If fertilization is not achieved, the egg is excreted imperceptibly. Shortly thereafter - about two weeks after ovulation - the top layers of the lining of the womb separate and there is bleeding, or menstruation. Then the whole cycle repeats itself from the beginning.

See also: Truths and myths about menstruation!

Regular cycle length

The length of the cycle is counted from the first day of bleeding to the last day before the next menstruation. By default, it is assumed to be about 4 weeks (28 days), but it is an individual matter - one woman may have a period every 25 days, and the other every 31. It is assumed that the longest cycle should not exceed 35 days, and the shortest that can still be considered "he althy" is 21 days. If the cycle length remains the same for an extended period of time, this is usually considered normal - it is called a regular period.

Regular length of your period

Menstruation on average lasts about 5 days, but bleeding from 3 to 7 days, repeated in each cycle, is also within the normal range. If your period is longer than 7 or less than 2 days or there are changes, e.g. cycles become longer and heavy or shorter and bleeding heavier, you should consult your doctor.

Regular period

The amount of menstrual bleeding varies from woman to woman, with some women having little bleeding while others with heavy bleeding (most women lose an average of 65 ml of blood during their periods). For some women, the period begins with the day of spotting, continues to develop normally on the second day, continues through the third and fourth, and slowly fades out on the fifth and sixth day. Other women bleed profusely on the first day for the next two, and then for the last two their bleeding gradually diminishes. Both patterns are considered correct; ifare repeated every cycle, everything is fine.

Note:The amount of bleeding may be affected by the type of contraceptive you use. Women who wear an IUD usually bleed more heavily (or, on the contrary, less if it is an IUD). Women who use the contraceptive pill tend to have less bleeding.

And here you will learn more about: methods of contraception

What disrupts the regularity of the cycle

Your period does not always come on time, like clockwork. Even in regularly menstruating women, the deviation in the duration of each cycle can be several days.

The length of the menstrual cycle may be disturbed by hormonal disorders and factors such as:

  • disease,
  • strong experiences,
  • stress,
  • chronic fatigue,
  • travel, especially related to a change in time zones or climate,
  • shift work,
  • too intense slimming treatment.

Slimming and menstruation: what is the expert saying?

If regularity returns to normal after 2-3 cycles - everything is fine. But if there have been clear, permanent changes in its regular appearance so far (the cycle has been shorter or longer, the amount and duration of bleeding has changed, the length and duration of the bleeding has changed), or if the period does not appear for more than 3 months, you need to see a gynecologist to determine the causes of irregularities. An irregular period may also be the result of a more serious illness.

Natural deviations from regularity

The type and length of bleeding may change over the years. During adolescence, your periods can be tight (more spotting than bleeding), your cycles may be irregular, and this is nothing to worry about. Only after 2-3 years, when the glands responsible for the secretion of hormones have completed their development, the cycles become more predictable and regular.
Women over forty years of age may also notice an elongation or shortening of the cycle and some irregularities. In the run-up to menopause, this is usually considered normal as the body slowly begins to prepare for menopause. However, as the risk of cancerous diseases increases at this age, regular check-ups are recommended.

Category:

Female diseases