Phases of the menstrual cycle: phases of the cycle in women by day diagram (table)

The body of every woman is a unique natural phenomenon, the knowledge of which still occupies the thoughts of scientists. A woman is changeable, she is able to grow in herself and give birth to a new life. And the only one who is privy to all these processes is only herself. But in order to understand your body, not to resist its flexibility and learn how to use these changes, you need to know what it all obeys, namely: the phases of the menstrual cycle.

Female physiology

Let's start by recalling the information from the 9th grade biology lessons: the anatomy of the internal organs of the female reproductive system. After all, it is they who are responsible for the monthly cycle in women.

The central reproductive organ is the uterus. It is a powerful muscular organ in the shape of a pear, covered with a serous membrane on the outside - perimetry, and from the inside - with a changing mucous membrane (endometrium).

The condition of the inner layer of the uterus depends on the phase of menstruation.

The endometrium is the layer in which the ovum (future embryo) will begin to develop, so each menstrual cycle it prepares for the "acceptance" of a fertilized egg. In the uterus, the body, the isthmus and the cervix are secreted, which opens into the vagina.

From the corners of the uterus, the uterine (fallopian) tubes depart, opening freely into the abdominal cavity. At the end of each, there are many villi that guide the egg into the lumen of the tube. The patency of the fallopian tubes is one of the main characteristics of the reproductive system that ensures the onset of pregnancy.

The ovaries are paired glands located in the abdominal cavity and attached to it by ligaments. The task of the ovaries is secretion: they produce female sex hormones (estradiol, progesterone, testosterone), and are also a place for the "storage" and maturation of eggs.

The work of the internal genital organs is not autonomous. Its functioning, like the functioning of all other organs and systems, is determined by the central nervous system.

The pituitary gland is a special gland that produces many vital hormones that regulate the work of the entire body. To regulate reproductive function, the anterior pituitary gland releases follicle-stimulating (FSH), luteinizing (LH) hormones, and prolactin into the blood. In turn, it is these bioagents that cause the ovaries to produce female sex hormones at the right time of a certain phase of the menstrual cycle.

The work of the pituitary gland is subject to a change in the concentration of special releasing factors in the blood, which are hormones of the hypothalamus - a special area in the brain.

Thus, the regulation of the female cycle can be depicted as follows:

Hypothalamus (releasing factors) Pituitary gland (FSH, LH, prolactin) Ovaries (female sex hormones).

Hormonal failure at least at one of the levels leads to significant disturbances in the functioning of the reproductive system and requires the comment of an experienced specialist.

By the time of birth, the girl's ovaries contain from 1 to 2 thousand eggs. By the stage of puberty, only 400 thousand are determined. Their number is approximately due to the number of ovulations (respectively, monthly cycles) for the entire reproductive age. If the first menstruation happened at the age of 11-15, this means that everything is in order. If not, especially when the other signs of puberty are evident, then it's time to see a gynecologist.

What is the menstrual cycle

The menstrual cycle is a form of work of the female reproductive system, presented in the form of cyclical changes in the uterus and ovaries, and aimed at the implementation of fertilization and preparation for a possible pregnancy, the importance of hormones in which it is impossible not to betray importance.

Normally, the female cycle lasts 21–35 days. Its beginning is considered the first day of menstrual bleeding, and the end is the last day before the start of the next menstruation. Few people have the same duration of the menstrual period. It may vary depending on environmental conditions and various factors. However, if the duration is within the normal range, this is physiological and should not cause concern.

There are 3 phases of menstruation: follicular, ovulatory and luteal. Each period is characterized by its characteristic changes in the ovaries and endometrium, the influence of various hormones. It determines the mood, well-being, sexual behavior and even the appearance of a woman.

In some literature, you can see a description of a two-phase cycle: the ovulation phase enters the follicular period, and menstruation can also be described as the fourth phase.

Below is a general table showing the phases of the menstrual cycle and their hormones.

Follicular	Ovulatory	Luteal
Hypothalamic hormones	gonadoliberin	gonadoliberin
Pituitary hormones	Follitropin (FSH) Lutropin (LH) in small amounts	A sharp jump in LH concentration
Ovarian hormones	The concentration of estradiol gradually increases	Decrease in the amount of estradiol	Progesterone, estrogen, testosterone
Main process phase	Follicle maturation	Ovulation	Maturation of the corpus luteum, endometrial enlargement / pregnancy

Now let's look at the details of the phases of the menstrual cycle by day, and the impact of these stages on well-being.

Follicular

The first phase of the menstrual cycle (its name is follicular) is due to the influence of follicle-stimulating and luteinizing hormone. Its duration depends on how long the period goes and is considered a normal duration from 7 to 22 days. Usually, with a 28-day period, it is equal to 14 days. The first half of the phase is menstruation itself.

A sharp decrease in the concentration of estrogen and progesterone to a minimum provokes endometrial vasospasm, cessation of nutrition of mucosal cells and its rejection. The production of biologically active substances - prostaglandins begins in the tissues. Their high concentration triggers contractions of the uterus in order to release it from the endometrium - menstrual bleeding begins. Another effect of prostaglandins is to increase the sensitivity of pain receptors in response to irritation. This causes discomfort or pain in the lower abdomen until the third day.

Menstruation ends on the 5-7th day of the follicular phase of the cycle.

Simultaneously with menstruation, gonadoliberins of the hypothalamus cause an increase in the secretion of FSH and LH by the pituitary gland. Under their influence (namely FSH) in one of the ovaries, the process of maturation of several follicles (from 7 to 12 pieces), one of which will finish development in this cycle and become dominant (the rest go through the opposite development). By the end of the phase, there is a sharp increase in the concentration of LH, which leads to the transition to the next phase.

Ovulatory

The second phase of the menstrual cycle is ovulatory. Its duration is only about three days. The dominant follicle continues to grow and secretes estradiol (it is in the second phase of the cycle that vitamin E, or tocopherol, is important, since it is necessary for the synthesis of female sex hormones). At the same time, the production of LH increases, the maximum concentration of which leads to the rupture of the wall of the mature follicle and the release of the egg from it.

The released egg lives for 2 days, so the best period for conception is 4–5 days (two days before ovulation and she herself).

Luteal

Approximately on the 17-18th day of the menstrual cycle, the luteal phase begins, in another way it is called the phase of the corpus luteum (this phase of the cycle can begin on 22-23 days or 10-11). Its duration, unlike the other two, is always 14 days (fluctuations from 14 to 16 days are allowed).

After the follicle ruptures, a corpus luteum forms in its place, which synthesizes estradiol, testosterone and progesterone.

At the onset of pregnancy, the predominant amount of progesterone determines the implantation of a fertilized egg (5-6 days after fertilization) and the further development of pregnancy. Until the formation of the placenta, it is the corpus luteum that will be the main source of hormones.

If there is no meeting with the sperm, pregnancy does not develop, it gradually begins to grow the concentration of LH and FSH, the corpus luteum atrophies, the amount of estradiol decreases and after 14 days the cycle repeats.
In different phases of the cycle, women undergo corresponding changes in the endometrium.

Table of the phases of the menstrual cycle and the state of the endometrium:

Phase	Endometrium
Menstruation	There is a rejection of the inner layer of the uterus due to a spasm of the supplying vessels.
Follicular	In this phase, the growth of the endometrium occurs. Early proliferation (fourth - seventh day of the cycle) - the thickness of the endometrium is 3-5 millimeters Medium proliferation phase (8-10 days) - 10 mm thick Late proliferation phase (11-14 days) - 11 mm thick
Ovulation	Ovulation time (15-19 days) - the period of accumulation of secretion by endometrial cells, the phase of early secretion, layer thickness up to 12 mm
Luteal	Average secretion (20-24th day) - thickness up to 14 mm Late secretion (25-28th day) - end of secretion, thickness up to 12 mm

Dependence of the emotional and physical state of a woman on the phase of the cycle

Different phases of a woman's cycle change her appearance, libido and well-being every day. This is due to all the same hormones.

In the first days of menstruation, the female body is dominated by prostaglandin. This substance promotes uterine contraction, causing a decrease in the pain threshold. All this causes abdominal pain, as well as headache, back pain, and increased irritability. Usually this does not interfere with life, but otherwise, you need to see a doctor. Any painful cosmetic procedures now are very stressful, it is better to postpone them to a more appropriate time. Hair sometimes becomes not so docile, there is an increase in sebum production. Get more rest, relax, indulge yourself with your favorite food and good company.

3-4 days of the follicular phase of the cycle is the period when the woman is not so irritable, the pain sensations become less, but the spotting continues. However, the inner layer of the uterus is a continuous wound surface, so you should be careful: the risk of infection is increased.

By the fifth day, menstruation usually ends, the mood improves, the woman feels a surge of strength and energy.
At the end of menstruation and until ovulation itself is the most pleasant period. Under the influence of an increasing concentration of luteinizing hormone, a woman blooms: the skin loses its oily sheen, acne and blackheads are gone, hair and nails become the most "grateful" for the treatment. Sexual desire increases, reaching its peak at the time of ovulation. Metabolism accelerates, mental abilities improve.

From 15 to 18 days, all processes in the body are aimed at the formation of the ovum and its definition in the uterus. At this time, appetite rises, digestive problems (bloating, constipation) may appear, the body goes over to accumulating energy "for future use", so now it is better to especially monitor nutrition.

On days 20-21, the cycle phase begins when the corpus luteum reaches its peak. It is at this time of the month that the onset of pregnancy is impossible. But this is true only if the cycle is 28-30 days, under other circumstances anything happens. Therefore, it is so important to know the length of your cycle.

From 21-23 days and before the onset of menstruation, progesterone predominates in the blood. The woman is calm and restrained, libido decreases, skin problems appear. Progesterone softens the ligaments, so exercise should be done with caution. Three to four days before menstruation, an increase in prostaglandins begins, PMS symptoms appear: breast sensitivity, mood swings, apathy, headache. " And then the cycle repeats.

The diagram of the phases of the cycle drawn up in the woman's head by day will allow you to control your life, accept changes in state and temporary changes in appearance, have an idea of ​​the timing of conception or take measures to prevent it, undergo the necessary examination in a timely manner, determine that a pregnancy has occurred and take measures for it conservation. Get to know yourself, be an intelligent and educated woman. To love yourself means to know your nature and physiology, to carefully monitor your health.