Understanding your menstrual cycle

The term ‘menstrual cycle’ refers to the changes that occur naturally in a woman’s body to prepare it for pregnancy.

In a normal menstrual cycle, women experience menstruation (also known as a period) followed by the release of an egg. During menstruation blood, cells and mucus are discharged from the uterus.

What happens during the Menstrual Cycle?

In total, your menstrual cycle consists of four different stages.
1. Phase: Menstrual Phase

This is what happens in your body: The first day of your period is the start of your menstrual cycle. The reason you might experience menstrual cramps during the first days of your periods is that the uterus lining breaks down and sheds. You begin menstruation.

This is how it might affect you: During menstruation, you may feel low on energy and have aches or pains. Check out some tips on what to do against menstrual cramps.

2. Phase: Preparing for Ovulation (Follicular Phase)

This is what happens in your body: After the last day of your period, your body prepares for ovulation. Here a hormone called follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) stimulates your ovaries to produce a matured egg. This maturing process produces estrogen, which makes the lining of your uterus thicken with nutrients and blood, so it will be able to provide the egg with the support it needs in case of pregnancy.

This is how it might affect you: Your estrogen levels start to rise and you might find yourself being in a better mood and having more energy. During this phase you might also notice more discharge (clear or white sticky mucus). This is normal.

Phase 3: Ovulation

This is what happens in your body: During ovulation, the matured egg is finally released into the fallopian tube and travels to the uterus. The egg can survive for 12-24 hours. During this time, if it comes in contact with sperm, it is fertilised. So keep in mind that during these days you are most likely to get pregnant (remember to use contraception).

This is how it might affect you: During this phase you might feel a boost of energy and inspiration. You might also feel an increase in your sex drive. Your body produces high levels of estrogen, which

Phase 4: Luteal Phase – End of menstrual cycle

This is what happens in your body: After the egg has travelled down the fallopian tube it gets to the womb. Your body starts to produce a new hormone called progesterone. This hormone will make sure your uterus keeps building up it’s lining.

But If the egg is not fertilized, levels of estrogen and progrestarone drop. Your uterus does not need to maintain the nutritous lining it built up so it starts to break it down.

The thick lining and blood that was built up during the menstrual cycle will leave your body. This is your menstruation and it means that a new cycle begins.

This is how it might affect you: Due to the rise in progesterone your stress levels can increase easily and you might feel moodier during this phase. You might also feel easily irritated, experience some sadness or feel anxious. Your breast might feel more sensitive or even sore.

During your period be sure to use a period product you feel comfortable with. If you’ve been tampons or pads but didn’t feel happy with the solution, have a look at our menstrual cup made of medical grade silicone (no bleaches, perfumes or other chemicals).The menstrual cycle starts on the first day of the menstrual period (referred to as day one) and ends the day before the next period begins. While the length of the menstrual cycle is often 28 days, it can vary between women and from one cycle to the next. It is common for women to experience cycles that last anywhere from 20 to 40 days. Cycles longer than six weeks are considered unusual.

The length of a women’s menstrual cycle can change throughout her life. Irregular periods are common among adolescent women, and in women approaching menopause. Factors such as stress, extreme emotion (good or bad), weight changes, excessive physical activity and travelling can also cause irregularities in a woman's menstrual cycle.

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