Phases of the menstrual cycle
The set of hormone-driven events that make up your menstrual cycle (follicular phase to luteal phase) make your body ready for pregnancy and childbirth. This cycle adheres to a procedure that is broken down into four clearly defined phases:
Menstruation
The initial phase of your menstrual cycle is also, in some ways, the final phase. During your monthly period, the thicker lining of the uterus sheds. Depending on the length of your cycle , menstruation can last from three to seven days.
Follicular phase
This starts on the first day of your menstruation and lasts until the beginning of ovulation. The follicles, which contain the eggs, ripen at this stage, and an egg matures.
Ovulation
This stage occurs when the ovary delivers the fully developed egg into the fallopian tube for fertilization. This is the shortest phase of the cycle, lasting for just 24 hours.
How can you do an ovulation test at home?
Luteal phase
In this stage, the hormones produced by the follicle that delivered the egg thicken and ripen the uterus to get ready for pregnancy.
The menstrual cycle differs from woman to woman. Your age and other variables may affect how long each cycle and its phases are.
Knowing whether your follicular and luteal phases are lengthy or short, as well as when in your menstrual cycle they happen, can be helpful if you're trying to get pregnant.
Every woman should know about menstrual health so she can have a safe pregnancy.
Your fertility may be affected by issues with these phases. Let's examine the follicular phase in more detail.
What happens in the Follicular phase?
On the first day of your menstruation, the follicular phase begins. The first half of your menstrual cycle is often consumed by it.
How To Monitor Ketone levels in your body
Your ovaries are stimulated by FSH to create 5–20 small pods known as follicles. A developing egg lies inside each follicle. During this stage of your cycle, these follicles grow.
One of these follicles eventually becomes dominant. The remaining follicles begin to deteriorate and are reabsorbed into your body.
Your body produces more estrogen as a result of the maturing egg in the follicle. Your uterine lining grows and thickens when your estrogen levels are higher. To get ready for a potential pregnancy, the lining becomes nutrient-rich.
Boost your metabolism by 725% with these Two Tips
Your pituitary gland receives a signal to reduce FSH production from rising estrogen levels.
In the meantime, levels of luteinizing hormone (LH), another pituitary hormone, rise. The cycle's next phase, ovulation, is initiated by the surge in LH, which also stops estrogen production.
Longer follicular phase
The longest phase of your menstrual cycle is typically the follicular phase. The phase is also the most variable. When you ovulate, it comes to an end. It starts on the first day of your menstruation.
The follicular phase lasts 16 days on average.
Do You Pee When You Cough? WHY?
Avoid Peeing When You Cough
However, depending on your cycle, it might last anywhere from 11 to 27 days.
Your follicular phase's duration is somewhat influenced by how long it takes for one dominant follicle to emerge.
Get the Modern Menstrual Care: FREE Solutions by Sirona
This stage will remain longer if the follicle matures slowly. As a result, your entire menstrual cycle will be prolonged.
It takes longer for your body to ovulate when the follicular phase is longer. Your follicular phase might prolong if you take birth control pills for a long time. A longer follicular phase has also been linked to low vitamin D levels.
Women with a statistically longer follicular phase have a chance of becoming pregnant as those with a shorter follicular phase. Your fertility will not be affected by having a longer period.
Shorter follicular phase
However, a short follicular phase may affect your ability to conceive. It can be an indication that you're approaching menopause and that your ovaries are ageing.
Even if you still have a monthly period in your late 30s, the follicular phase may start to shorten.
During this period, hormone levels fluctuate. Your LH levels remain low while your FSH levels continue to rise.
A 4-Step FREE Guide to Choosing A Menstrual Cup
A follicle ripens too quickly as a result of this. The egg inside such a follicle might not be matured enough or prepared for fertilization. Pregnancy becomes less likely as a result.
Temperature during the follicular phase
You can determine which days of the month will give you the highest chances of getting pregnant by keeping track of your basal body temperature.
When you are at rest, your body temperature is at its lowest point, or basal temperature.
Keep a thermometer beside your bed and take your temperature as soon as you wake up, before you even leave your bed, to determine your basal body temperature. This should be carried out every morning at the same time.
The Ultimate Free Guide To Menstrual Cups
Your basal body temperature during the follicular phase of your cycle should range between 97.0 and 97.5°F (36°C).
Your body temperature will increase after you ovulate and remain higher during the luteal phase, indicating that the follicular phase is over.
The takeaway
The part of your menstrual cycle when your body is getting ready to release an egg is known as the follicular phase.
Pregnancy requires this process. The follicular phase is finished after the egg is released.
This normally happens for many women on the day that falls in the halfway of one period and the beginning of the next.
Although the length and duration of a woman's cycle might vary, menstrual periods generally follow a pattern.
Do not become alarmed if you are tracking your cycle and do not ovulate when you believe you should.
Consult your physician. Any possible problems with the follicular phase of your cycle, or any phase, can be diagnosed by them.
0 Comments