Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)

When you come to the gynecologist, he always asks you what your menstrual cycle is. Many patients believe that the menstrual cycle – these are the days when you have a bloody discharge from the genital tract. In fact it’s just a menses. A menstrual cycle – is a time period from one menstrual period to another and it is from the first day of the last menstrual period before the first day of the next (represents normal 23-35 days)

In addition to the cycle duration is very important it’s regularity. Ideally, from month to month duration of your individual cycle does not change. Fluctuations are allowed within 3 days. If more – this is pathological. There are also important blood amount and your subjective feelings in this period.
If you paid attention to the changing nature of menstruation, there is reason to see a doctor because this may be the first sign of some disease.

First menstruation (menses) is the most striking evidence of the ensuing sexual maturity. Most of the first menstruation (menses) begins at the age of 14-15 years. However, the full development of the girl’s body reaches an average of 18 years.

So, what is it menstrual cycle and how does it work? Consider the standard 28-day cycle, a healthy woman’s menstrual cycle has 2 phases: with 28-days cycle on the first phase 14 days on the second phase.

In the first 14 days, the women are preparing for a possible pregnancy. One part of the brain called the pituitary produces two main hormones that affect the menstrual cycle – follicle-stimulating (FSH) and luteinizing (LH).

Under the influence of FSH in a mature egg from the ovaries, the uterus is thickening of the inner shell in order to accept a fertilized egg. The main hormone secreted in the blood – estrogen. It contributes to the fact that a woman looks good, active, and cheerful. Body temperature – is normal.

Two weeks later there occurs ovulation – exit of mature egg from the ovary. This process occurs due to sharp increases in blood levels of luteinizing hormone, which reaches its peak. If the egg becomes fertilized by a sperm cell, it attaches to the uterine wall and a fetus will begin to develop. The ovulation phase typically occurs in 14 days before the start of the next period.

At this moment, some women experience slight pulling sensation in the abdomen. Very seldom, they may notice bloody discharge from the genital tract.

The fourth and final phase is the premenstrual phase. If the egg is not fertilized, the thickened lining of the uterus is shed and a new menstrual cycle starts all over again.

The body temperature may be somewhat higher (up to 37.0). At this time, on-site release eggs in the ovary under the influence of LH matures corpus luteum, which, in the case of pregnancy, will ensure its preservation.

As a rule, women stop having menses at 50, when they reached menopause (stage when a woman is no able to ovulate or produce eggs, due to this she can no longer become pregnant). Like any other health processes, menopause occurs differently in different woman, this all is rather individual, so, noticing any changes, please turn to doctor!

Read more about menstrual cycles – Menstrual cramps