Is a 24 day cycle normal? Monthly cycle: norm and deviations. Normal menstrual cycle

It holds many mysteries. And it is sometimes very difficult for an ordinary person to deal with all of them. Therefore, in this article I want to talk in detail about the cycle. The norm and deviations will also be described later.

Understanding concepts

First of all, I want to define the concepts themselves in order to fully understand what is at stake. So, the monthly (or more correctly - the menstrual) cycle is a special physiological process that is characteristic exclusively for the female body (sexually mature person). It has a regular nature, affects mainly the reproductive system. All these processes are controlled by hormones that produce the ovaries, as well as the brain.

When does a woman's menstrual cycle begin to form? The norm is the time of puberty for a girl. This happens on average at 11-14 years. The menstrual cycle disappears in women with the onset of menopause (most often it comes at the age of 45-55). This is a normal physiological process, as a result of which a woman already becomes unable to conceive and bear a baby. The external manifestation of the menstrual cycle is spotting, or menstruation.

How to count?

Not all women know how to correctly calculate their female cycle. So, first of all, it is worth saying that it is necessary to start counting from the first day of spotting, to finish - the last day before a new menstruation. Ideally, the monthly cycle is 28 days. But this is not the case for all women. The norm is also considered a deviation from this figure in one week. That is, if a lady's cycle lasts within 21-35 days, there is nothing to worry about. If not, you should definitely consult a doctor for qualified advice. It is also important to remember that the cycle should be regular. If one month it has 25 days, and the second - 32 - this is not normal. Variations are possible within 1-3 days. Otherwise, again, you need to contact a gynecologist for advice and search for reasons.

Nuances

1. Ovulation (translated from Latin as "egg"). This is one of the processes of the menstrual cycle. At this time, the follicle ruptures, and the egg comes out of it, completely ready for fertilization.
2. Menstruation. Occurs approximately 12-15 days after ovulation. This is spotting, with which, as unnecessary (if pregnancy has not occurred), exfoliated endometrium comes out.

Phases

The phases of the menstrual cycle - that's what else needs to be said in this article. So, this issue can be approached in different ways. According to one version, there are only two phases of the menstrual cycle:

1. Folliculin.
2. Luteal (secretory, or phase of the corpus luteum).

Why is there such a division? It's all the fault of hormones, which in a certain period are dominant in the reproductive organs of the female body. You can often see information that there are two more phases of the monthly cycle:

1. phase of menstruation.
2. ovulation phase.

However, most scientists believe that it is not entirely correct to single them out in terms of hormonal levels. However, it is believed that they more clearly show the processes occurring in the ovaries and uterus. In addition, these phases are very important during pregnancy planning, so they cannot be completely excluded. All four phases will be discussed below.

First phase: menstruation

The normal cycle of menstruation begins with the first phase, which is calculated from the first day of spotting. These are the so-called menses. At this time, the previously rejected endometrium is released along with the blood. This process can also be called preparation for receiving a new egg. As for the duration, this phase has only 3 to 6 days. It ends even before the end of bleeding in the ladies. What else is important to say when studying the cycle of menstruation? How much blood should a girl normally produce? No more than 80 ml for the entire period of menstruation. If a woman changes pads or tampons more than 10 times a day, this is a reason to see a doctor. You should also seek help if spotting has been going on for a week or more.

Possible problems

What problems can arise in this phase?

1. Amenorrhea (the prefix "a" means no). This is the complete absence of bleeding. However, this diagnosis can only be made if a similar phenomenon has been observed for six months.
2. Algodysmenorrhea (the prefix "algo" means pain). These are painful periods when a woman feels very ill. At this time, the work capacity of the lady is sharply reduced.
3. Menorrhagia. It's too much bleeding. This diagnosis can be made if a woman's menstruation lasts more than 7 days or the amount of discharge is more than 80 ml.

Second phase: follicular

We study further the monthly cycle. The norm is when the second phase in a woman lasts about two weeks after the completion of spotting. At this time, the woman's brain begins to send certain impulses, under the influence of which the follicle-stimulating hormone is actively produced, and follicles grow in the ovaries. Gradually, a dominant follicle is formed, which will be a haven in the future. At the same time, a woman's body is actively producing a hormone such as estrogen. He's working on updating the lining of the uterus. Also, this hormone affects the cervical mucus so much that it becomes immune to sperm.

Problems

Violation of the cycle of menstruation in the second phase can cause various stresses and diseases. In this case, the third phase of the female cycle will come a little later than usual.

Phase three: ovulation

This is the middle of the monthly cycle. At this point, there is a restructuring of hormones in the female body. The level of FSH, i.e., decreases significantly, but immediately there is a release of LH, i.e. Time frame of the period: three days. What happens to the female body at this time?

1. LH makes the cervix very receptive to sperm.
2. The maturation of the egg is completed.
3. The egg is released from the follicle, after which it enters the fallopian tubes and awaits conception (term - about two days).

Phase Four: Luteal

It can also be called the “yellow body phase”. After the follicle is released, it begins to actively produce the hormone progesterone, the main task of which is to prepare the uterine mucosa for implantation. At the same time, the cervical mucus dries up, and the production of LH stops. If a normal monthly cycle is traced in women, then this phase lasts no more than 16 days (for a maximum of 12 days, a fertilized egg must attach to the uterus).

1. If fertilization has occurred: in this case, the egg enters the uterine cavity, is implanted, and the production of the so-called pregnancy hormone begins, which will be active throughout the entire period of bearing the baby.
2. If fertilization does not occur: in this case, the egg also dies, the production of progesterone stops. This causes the destruction of the endometrium, which entails its rejection and the onset of the first phase of a new menstrual cycle - spotting.

Cycle and conception

Every lady should know her correct menstrual cycle. After all, this is very important in that situation, if you want to prepare for the conception of a baby, or, conversely, to avoid an unwanted pregnancy. After all, as everyone knows, there are favorable and dangerous days of the female cycle. About this in more detail:

1. The maximum probability of conception is a couple of days before ovulation or at the time of the second phase of the menstrual cycle.
2. It is worth remembering that male sperm live up to seven days in the female tract, so fertilization is possible even if unprotected intercourse occurred a week before ovulation.
3. Favorable days for those who do not yet want to have children: a couple of days after ovulation. The egg has already died at this time, fertilization will not occur.

However, it should be said that it is very difficult to accurately predict ovulation. After all, the female body is not an ideal machine. If you don’t want to get pregnant, it’s best not to rely on your own calculations, but to additionally protect yourself with modern means, say, condoms.

Basal temperature

We study further the monthly cycle. The norm and deviations must be known to every woman. Here I also want to talk about how you can independently identify with the phases. To do this, it is enough to trace the graph of basal temperature (as you know, this is a measurement of temperature indicators in the lady's vagina or in the rectum). In the first days after bleeding, the temperature should be kept within 37 ° C. Further, it usually decreases slightly, and then "jumps" by 0.5 ° C and is normally more than 37 ° C. At this indicator, the temperature is kept almost all the time, but a few days before the onset of menstruation, it decreases again. If this did not happen, we can say that the girl became pregnant. If the temperature has not changed at all throughout the cycle, this means that the third phase - ovulation - has not occurred.

About crashes

Modern women very often suffer from such a problem as a violation of the cycle of menstruation. What symptoms can signal this:

1. An increase in the interval between menstruation, its significant fluctuation.
2. Change of days in the cycle (deviation of more than three days in any direction).
3. Profuse or scanty bleeding.
4. The complete absence of menstruation for at least two months (unless, of course, this is a sign of pregnancy).
5. The appearance of bleeding in different phases of the menstrual cycle (not only in the first).
6. The duration of spotting is more than a week or less than three days.

These are the main problems that should alert the lady. In this case, you should definitely consult a gynecologist and find out the causes of these phenomena.

The reasons

If a woman has lost her monthly cycle, the reasons for this may be as follows:

1. Weight change - obesity or its sharp loss. Starvation, as well as the consumption of foods harmful to the body and overeating, affects the entire body as a whole, and especially the reproductive function of a lady. Accordingly, for the menstrual cycle.
2. Stress. In this state, the woman actively begins to produce the hormone prolactin, which is able to inhibit ovulation and cause a delay in menstruation.
3. Physical exercise.
4. Acclimatization. If a woman changes her stay belt - from heat to cold or vice versa, the body turns on defenses, which can affect the female cycle.
5. If a lady has lost her monthly cycle, the reason for this may be a hormonal failure (a violation of the production of certain hormones).
6. Women's diseases. The cycle can go astray if a lady has the following problems: inflammation of the uterus, pathologies of her cervix, cysts, polyps of the uterus, her appendages.
7. Taking oral contraceptives. If a woman is just starting to take birth control pills, at first, while the body is adapting, there may be certain failures. However, after a maximum of three months, if the medications are chosen correctly, a clear and normal menstruation cycle will be established.
8. Adolescence and menopause. During these periods, the female cycle may be irregular, which is not an indicator of special problems with the body. For a young girl, the first cycle of menstruation will never be an indicator that menstruation will continue in the same mode.
9. A woman will completely stop menstruating if she becomes pregnant.
10. Huge problems with the cycle will be in case of involuntary or planned abortions.

Diagnostics

If a lady started her period in the middle of the cycle or had any other problem, she should definitely seek medical advice. After all, this can be the cause of quite serious problems with the body. By what indicators will the gynecologist diagnose?

1. Questioning (obtaining complete information about the possible causes of violations).
2. Gynecological examination of the patient.
3. Taking all smears necessary for analysis.
4. Blood and urine tests.

If these procedures did not give complete answers to the questions of interest to the doctor, the lady may be assigned additional studies:

1. Ultrasound of the pelvic organs or abdominal cavity.
2. Hormone tests.
3. MRI - magnetic resonance imaging (determination of pathological changes in tissues, as well as the search for possible neoplasms).
4. Hysteroscopy (examination of the walls of the patient's uterus with a special instrument).

Only a combination of these methods of studying the patient's condition can give a complete picture of the causes of her disease, which will lead to the correct diagnosis and the appointment of competent treatment.

Diseases

Above, it was said a little about what problems can arise with the female menstrual cycle and what diseases develop against this background. However, this is far from a complete list.

1. Hypomenorrhea. This is very scanty spotting.
2. Opsomenorrhea. A significant shortening of the duration of spotting in a lady.
3. Oligomenorrhea. This is an increase in the interval between the spotting of a lady.

All these issues should cause concern. Every woman should remember that timely and treatment of the disease is very important.

Complications

If a woman has lost her cycle (between menstruation, for example, there are different periods of time) or there are other problems with women's health, you should immediately contact a doctor for qualified advice. After all, if the disease is not diagnosed and treated in time, it can lead to serious complications, which will be extremely difficult to cope with. It is worth remembering that later detection of pathologies that cause menstrual irregularities can lead not only to the inability to become pregnant, but even to the death of a young lady.

If a woman has minor menstrual irregularities, you can try to correct the situation without the intervention of doctors. To do this, it is enough to correctly adjust your daily routine and nutrition. That is, you need to exclude all harmful foods from food, pay more attention to the consumption of fresh vegetables and fruits, as well as cereals. In sufficient quantities, the lady should also rest: at least seven hours of nightly sleep, work breaks, physical activity and being in the fresh air - only these nuances can correct the female cycle with minor disruptions.

Doctor's treatment

If the girl still needs to seek medical help, treatment will be prescribed based on the reasons that led to the hormonal failure.

1. If the cause is stress, the patient will be prescribed sedatives.
2. If there are problems with spotting, a woman may be prescribed hemostatic drugs (to eliminate bleeding if menstruation occurs in the middle of the cycle).
3. With heavy bleeding, a lady can be infused with donor blood, plasma.
4. Surgery is possible (including hysterectomy, i.e. removal of the uterus).
5. In some cases, the girl may be prescribed antibiotics (if the cause of the failure is infectious diseases).
6. The most common methods of treatment - the appointment of hormonal drugs to regulate hormonal levels.

“The ideal female cycle (28 days) corresponds to the lunar one”, “when the Moon is in Scorpio, the cycle is broken”, “the best time for conception is ovulation when the Moon is in its initial phase ...” - such statements are very popular among women, wander around websites and astrological manuals. But it's one thing to plant cucumbers strictly according to the "lunar calendar" or start a project only when the "Moon is in Saturn". There will be no harm from this, although this is also a moot point ... But to feel sick because) that the cycle, for example, is 31 or 26 days and categorically does not coincide with the phases of the moon, is not only ridiculous, but also harmful to nervous system. And the consequences can just damage women's health - stress and neurosis lead to hormonal failure and menstrual irregularities.

To understand all this mythology, it is necessary to understand what exactly happens in the body every month, what is the norm, and what should alert and require urgent action.

Why exactly 28?

It so happened that the childbearing function is activated in the girl's body at the moment when she does not care about this function at all. Having just put the doll aside, the girl is faced with a whole series of little-understood processes taking place in her body, which immediately begin to be vigorously discussed among her peers and with those who are older. But mothers in this situation are not always on top, because they themselves are not very oriented in this topic. Most women answer the question about the length of their menstrual cycle in approximately the same way. “About once a month, a couple of days earlier than the previous one,” is how the cycle duration of 28 days is vaguely indicated, such a cycle in most healthy women. But does this mean that a shorter or longer cycle is a manifestation of pathology? No. It is recognized that a normal menstrual cycle can be from 21 to 35 days, that is, plus or minus a week from the average of 28 days.

The duration of menstruation itself normally ranges from two to six days, and the volume of blood lost is no more than 80 ml. A longer cycle is found in residents of the northern regions, a shorter one in the south, but this is not an absolute pattern. In the menstrual cycle, its regularity is important. If a woman always has a cycle of 35-36 days, then this can be absolutely normal for her, but if he jumps (either 26 days, then 35, then 21) - this is already a violation.

Limits of the norm

In general, the menstrual cycle can vary greatly depending on the condition of the woman and the situation in which she is. Some pathology can be considered irregular (when it comes after an unequal period of time), a long cycle (more than 36 days) or a short cycle (less than 21 days). But, although the menstrual cycle is a clear mechanism, it can vary significantly in a normal healthy woman. And these changes are a reflection of the body's response to external and internal factors.

For some, a little stress can already lead to, but for others, severe depression is not a reason for menstrual irregularities. The menstrual cycle of one woman can adapt to the menstrual cycle of another if they exist together for a long time. This is often seen in women's sports teams or when living together in a hostel. What explains this phenomenon is not entirely clear.

Fine tuning

The menstrual cycle is not always stable. The most irregular period is the first two years after the onset of menstruation and three years before they end (). Violations during these periods are due to completely physiological reasons.

The female reproductive system matures gradually and, being a complex machine, requires a period of adjustment. When a girl has her first menstruation, this does not mean that her system is mature and ready to fully work (although for some the menstrual cycle starts to work correctly from the very beginning), the functioning of this system can be compared to an orchestra, the harmonious play of all the instruments of which will create a unique sound musical work. Just as the instruments in an orchestra require a period of tuning, so all the components of the reproductive system must come to an agreement to work together harmoniously. Usually it takes about six months: for some it is more, for some it is less, and for some it may be delayed.

How the system works

The menstrual cycle is divided into three phases- menstruation, the first phase (follicular) and the second phase (luteal). Menstruation lasts an average of four days. During this phase, the lining of the uterus (endometrium) is shed. This phase lasts from the end of menstruation to an average of 14 days in a 28-day cycle (days are counted from the beginning of menstruation).

First phase (follicular)
At this stage, the growth of four follicles begins in the ovaries: a lot of small vesicles (follicles) in which the eggs are located are laid in the ovaries from birth. In the process of growth, these four follicles release estrogens (female sex hormones) into the blood, under the influence of which the mucous membrane (endometrium) grows in the uterus.

Second phase (luteal)
Shortly before the 14th day of the cycle, three follicles stop growing, and one grows to an average of 20 mm and bursts under the influence of special stimuli. It is called ovulation.

The ovum is released from the ruptured follicle and enters the fallopian tube, where it waits for the sperm. The edges of the burst follicle gather (like a flower closing at night) - this formation is called "yellow body".

The second phase lasts until the onset of menstruation - about 12-14 days. At this time, the woman's body is waiting for conception. In the ovary, the "yellow body" flourishes: formed from a burst follicle, it sprouts with vessels and begins to secrete another female sexual hubbub (progesterone) into the blood, which prepares the uterine mucosa for the attachment of a fertilized egg.

If pregnancy does not occur, then the "yellow body", having received a signal, turns off its work, the uterus begins to reject the already unnecessary endometrium. And menstruation begins.

If the schedule of the menstrual cycle goes astray

The normal cycle in healthy women may vary: if one is enough for 10 days for the maturation of the follicle, then the other needs 15-16. But when deviations from the norm occur, doctors talk about ovarian dysfunction. They are manifested by various violations of the cycle.
The most obvious signs:

• irregular menstruation;
• increase or decrease in standard blood loss (normally, the volume of menstrual blood loss is 50-100 ml);
• the appearance of bloody discharge between menstruation;
• pain in the lower abdomen on premenstrual days and in the middle of the cycle;
• violation of the maturation of the egg (its symptoms are infertility or miscarriage).

Alarms

• Breaking the cycle Especially if before that it was stable, it often causes concern, but not in all cases it is necessary to sound the alarm. If you have recently experienced a strong nervous shock, then most likely this is a one-time violation and there is nothing wrong with that. If there is no menstruation for a very long time (and the pregnancy test is negative), then you should consult a doctor. If the menstruation came earlier and does not end in any way, this is also a reason to hurry up for an examination. If menstruation has become very frequent (several times a month), it is not necessary to delay it - immediately go to the doctor.
• Early This is one of the very common female fears, especially at a young age. In fact, this fear is exaggerated, since early menopause is very rare. There are cases when menstruation stops even for a long time, and this may turn out to be only a temporary failure, after which they can resume on their own, for example, after a good rest.
  Basically, early menopause is caused by rare congenital and systemic diseases, the consequences of treatment (chemotherapy, radiation therapy for cancer) and other non-standard conditions. Early menopause, as a rule, is manifested by the cessation of menstruation and the appearance of symptoms of insufficiency of female sex hormones (hot flashes, irritability, etc.). There is no prevention for this disease.
• Painful periods and PMS For some reason, it is generally accepted that feeling unwell during menstruation is in the order of things. Pain, nausea, during menstruation are abnormal phenomena. This condition is called dysmenorrhea and requires treatment. Even if these phenomena are expressed insignificantly, they can and should be corrected. Dysmenorrhea is primary (most often at a young age), when it is most likely due simply to the immaturity of the reproductive system, and secondary, when it is a reflection of a number of serious gynecological diseases. The same applies to premenstrual syndrome (PMS). These are not personality traits that everyone needs to put up with, but a disease that has not fully understood causes, a whole list of symptoms and specific treatments. If you have such problems, see your doctor.

What to do?

If we are not talking about diseases, but only about some common problems in setting up the menstrual cycle, then such cycle disorders are solved by taking hormonal contraception. The reproductive system needs rest, and hormonal contraception, "turning off" it for a while, takes over the work: the entire period of taking the contraceptive is a period of rest. Then, after its cancellation, the system starts working again and, as a rule, cycle failures disappear.

The main task of the female body

The body can adapt and rebuild as much as it likes, but the final reproductive function is formed only when a woman fulfills her main task intended by nature. That is, when she endures, gives birth and feeds a child. Pregnancy is the only purpose for which the reproductive system is generally provided in the body. Only after the first full-fledged pregnancy, which ended in childbirth, and the period of breastfeeding, the reproductive system matures completely, since during this period all the functions provided by nature are realized. After pregnancy, all the properties of the female body that are not completely “unpacked” finally begin to work in full force. This affects both the psycho-emotional and sexual spheres, which has a beneficial effect on the intimate life of a woman.

After 35 years

Over time, the reproductive system, which on average is assigned to exist in working condition for 38 years (from 12 to 51), is limited only to regular menstruation. In addition, with age, many women develop a whole history of gynecological and general diseases, all this begins to affect the state of the reproductive system, and this manifests itself in menstrual irregularities. Inflammation, abortion, gynecological surgery, overweight or underweight can also cause problems.

Early signs of pregnancy appear in women at different times, since the cycles are slightly different for everyone. For some, this is 16 - 18, for others - 20 days. But the main messengers of conception can be seen on the 21st - 22nd day of the cycle.

The very first signs - can you feel it?

The modern world offers a large number of means for determining pregnancy at the earliest possible date. Most often they are reliable in the first weeks after a delay in menstruation. Emotional by nature, women can feel the slightest changes in their body and, even before the end of the menstrual cycle, suspect signs of the birth of a small life.

They are unlikely to name the exact date of conception, and the beginning of the cycle for each is marked on the calendar. Obstetricians will take this day as a basis for calculating the duration of pregnancy and the upcoming birth. Women planning motherhood are more likely to determine their due date if they track ovulation, which occurs more often in the middle of the cycle.

The frequency of the cycle is different for everyone, most often it is a 4-week period, but it can be both shorter and longer. As soon as the fertilization of the egg has occurred, metamorphoses occur in the woman's body. For some, they do not immediately become noticeable, others feel the slightest nuances of physiological transformation already on the 16th - 18th day of the cycle.

The first are the most responsible and wonderful transformations

The zygote is a single-celled embryo that travels through the fallopian tube for about 6 days. Its purpose is a warm and nourishing uterus. At the same time, the ovary produces the corpus luteum, which is responsible for the production of the necessary hormones that will support the onset of pregnancy.

The introduction into the wall of the uterus takes place on the 7th day (22-23 days from the beginning of the cycle). Small bleeding during these 2 days is possible, but not necessary.

On the 24th - 25th day of the cycle or on the 9th day after the birth of a new life, the fetal egg is arranged, its place is carefully guarded, and its outer layer signals the onset of pregnancy with the help of the hCG hormone.

The new hormone in the body works like a skilled and experienced leader. All systems work hard:

• heart;
• lungs;
• kidneys;
• endocrine glands.

This mechanism launches a miracle machine, it is no coincidence that women, even before the delay, suggest a possible pregnancy.

What signs can indicate the conception that has taken place

The onset of pregnancy does not pass asymptomatically, the first signs are considered insignificant, attentive women will feel them:

• Bloody discharge 6-12 days from the start of ovulation if the couple had unprotected intercourse (similar to the onset of menstruation, but the color is yellowish-brown;
• An elevated basalt temperature of up to 37⁰ or a little higher lasts for a long time and does not change at the time of the delay of a new cycle - it speaks of a hormonal factor when progesterone works to provide the fetus and create better conditions for it;
• A sharp drop in t⁰, and then the restoration of elevated basalt temperature. Symptoms of chills appear, the face turns red, but a feeling of heat can come on sharply, it becomes stuffy. Change of heat and cold - the first signs of pregnancy on the 20th - 21st day;
• The condition of the breast, usually painful before menstruation, may remain unchanged. In rare cases, on the contrary, the skin around the nipples swells;
• A feeling of fullness in the lower abdomen, due to the large flow of blood to the walls of the uterus, a woman can notice on the 21st - 28th day of the cycle.
• A change in libido from 22 to 26 days indicates hormonal changes, desires may not arise at all or flare up with a strong attraction.
• Lack of sleep, agitation, weak superficial sleep, early awakening may indicate conception on days 18-22 - this is relevant.
• Lack of attention during the daytime, drowsiness and a depressed psyche will support the version of pregnancy as early as 22-25 days.
• A change in the sense of smell and taste of familiar foods, even before the onset of a delay, will confirm a possible conception.
• The surest sign can be early toxicosis, on the 11th - 14th day after the accomplished conception, the expectant mother may experience nausea. On the 22nd - often vomiting in the morning.

Dependence of signs of pregnancy on the development of the fetus

The most basic changes in the development of the fetus begin from the 21st - 22nd day of the cycle, and the first signs of pregnancy are most pronounced from this time.

The formation of the nervous system of the fetus affects the change in the work of the taste buds of the expectant mother.

The spinal cord, brain and heart muscle, developing in the womb, bring a headache to a woman, her sense of smell becomes sharp, and pleasant smells begin to irritate a woman until now.

The level of hormonal adjustment on the 22nd - 23rd day, increases salivation, a state of mild nausea in the morning is the first sign of a successful conception. After this period, a pregnancy test for some girls may slightly color the second strip.

From about 27 to 28 days, the signs become brighter. Certain eating habits appear, the woman is disoriented, she is confused by smells or attracted, even those that she did not notice in the recent past. She often refuses to eat her usual food. Spicy and salty foods attract.

So the body reacts to a lack of vitamins, trace elements, minerals necessary for the development of the fetus. A planned pregnancy should focus on the consumption of only high-quality and healthy products from the first days.

If your period is late, you need to check your assumptions about a successful conception with a test. After 2 days, repeat testing is simply necessary if the first attempt did not give a solid result.

Primary signs and a positive test are almost a 100% guarantee of motherhood. A visit to the doctor will be necessary, and the sooner, the calmer the mother will be for the future life of the little man.

The menstrual cycle can last 24 days. Such a monthly period is observed in approximately 17% of women. In the absence of pathological symptoms and subject to the regularity of the cycle, this is considered normal. A woman with such a period is capable of conception.

When does the ovulatory phase occur?

Stages of the menstrual period

The menstrual cycle is the period from the first day of critical days to the beginning of the next.

This period is divided into stages:

When does the ovulatory phase begin?

To find out exactly when the egg release process will begin, you need to subtract the duration of the luteal phase from the duration of the cycle. The luteal phase lasts two weeks.

24 -14 = 10 days.

It turns out that ovulation with a period of 24 days occurs on the 10th day.

The timeliness of the release of the egg depends on other factors.:

• general health;
• food;
• stressful situations;
• hormonal background;
• age.

Duration

The duration of this process does not depend on the duration of the menstrual cycle. The follicle ruptures and releases the egg. In fact, it only lasts a few minutes. But in a broader sense, ovulation is considered to be the entire life of a mature egg.

Many doctors believe that the egg is capable of fertilization within a day.. Some believe that this period lasts up to 36 hours. The exact number of hours of life of a mature egg in women depends on the individual characteristics of the body.

Pregnancy can occur when the egg is fertilized 3-4 days before ovulation, during it and the day after. The chance of getting pregnant at this time is 30-35%.

Thus, with a monthly cycle of 24 days, ovulation occurs on the 10th day and can last up to 36 hours. For successful conception, it is very important to monitor it and take into account the time of its occurrence. And of course, if pregnancy is planned, it is necessary to visit specialists to check the health and readiness of the body to bear a child.

The menstrual cycle starts from the first day of the onset of menstruation - bleeding that accompanies the rejection of the functional layer of the uterine mucosa. The duration of the menstrual cycle is always individual, but a cycle of 21-35 days is included in the normal physiological parameters. The golden mean is a cycle of 28 days, but only 13% of women observe this phenomenon. If the cycle of menstruation has decreased, the reasons can be very diverse. A similar phenomenon does not always indicate a pathology, but it is exciting, and requires a consultation with a gynecologist to find out the cause.

Physiological features

Menstruation is a response of the reproductive system that its main task has not been completed - pregnancy has not occurred. Normally, menstruation is established in puberty at the age of 11-17 years during the year. In the main menarche in girls of the European race, they are observed starting from the age of 13-14. Sometimes the boundary norms are expanded, the first menstruation can occur at the age of 10, and at 21. This phenomenon is often hereditary.

In most cases, a deviation from normal physiological parameters is a sign of hormonal imbalance observed as a result of a history of endocrine and central nervous system diseases, previous infectious and inflammatory processes, and brain injuries.

In a woman's life, there are 4 periods when menstruation is absent:

• pregnancy;
• lactation;
• menopause.

In other cases, menstrual bleeding is observed every month. 1 year after the appearance of the first menstruation, the menstrual cycle is considered established. Girls of puberty can independently determine the date of the next menstruation by keeping a schedule of the menstrual cycle .

Reducing the number of days of the menstrual cycle during its formation is normal. However, after this time, any deviation from the norm in the form of a decrease in the usual duration of menstruation is exciting and requires consultation with a gynecologist.

If such a phenomenon was observed once, there is no reason for excitement. The shortening of the cycle, observed for several months, is a clear sign of pathology. It is not necessary to independently determine the reason why this happens. Consultation of a specialist will resolve all your concerns.

Reasons for a shortened natural menstrual cycle

Under the reduction of the menstrual cycle is meant not only a decrease in its length, but also a change in the nature, volume. They become abundant and painful, being one of the signs of reproductive dysfunction. A cycle of 21 days or less is considered short.

A distinctive feature of a short cycle of menstruation is the reduction of the follicular phase, less than 14 days (premature maturation of the egg against the background of an unchanged function of the corpus luteum).

If the natural cycle of menstruation has been reduced, then the following reasons for this phenomenon are suggested:

Dangerous symptoms

The reasons for shortening the cycle can be different. Sometimes this is a temporary phenomenon, self-liquidating within a few months. However, there are disturbing symptoms when a consultation with a gynecologist is required.

These include the following phenomena:

• absence of menstruation until the age of 18-19;
• amenorrhea (absence of menstruation) between the ages of 12 and 50 without a natural cause (pregnancy, breastfeeding);
• the cycle has sharply decreased for no apparent reason;
• pain of varying intensity in the ovaries, pubic area;
• pain in the lumbar region, radiating to the rectum;
• recurrent headaches;
• enlargement of the thyroid gland;
• decreased amount of menstrual flow;
• phenomena of general intoxication in the form of nausea, vomiting, lack of appetite, dizziness;
• intermenstrual bleeding;
• recurrent nosebleeds;
• unnatural vaginal discharge with a changed consistency, an unpleasant odor.

The reduction of the cycle of menstruation, observed for several months, is the reason for consulting a gynecologist. Early diagnosis, aimed at identifying the cause of pathological changes in the body, increases the chances of determining the correct diagnosis and subsequent effective treatment.