THE NORMAL MENSTRUAL CYCLE

PART 1: THE NORMAL MENSTRUAL CYCLE.

As females, it is important to understand what our bodies were structured and hardwired to experience, in order to reproduce. More importantly, to understand WHY.

A female’s reproductive system undergoes cyclic regeneration regarded as periodic preparation for pregnancy. Medically termed the menstrual cycle, its infamous feature is the periodic vaginal bleeding due to endometrial shedding – i.e. PERIOD/MENSTRUATION.

As a general rule of thumb, all females of reproductive age* should experience an averaged 28-day menstrual cycle in preparation of successful conception. However, merely 16% of this population* do so, while some experience a cycle range between 24-38 days – i.e. one female’s normal cycle length may not be that of another’s.

A common mistake is the miscalculation of cycles, which is a key component to their regularity. The last day of the latter (Luteal) phase is the first day of the former (Follicular) phase – i.e. day 28 of last cycle/no fertilisation = day 1 of next cycle/menstruation.

IN SUMMARY:
Day 28/1 of last period ➡️ Day 28/1 of next period 🟰 1 complete 28-day cycle

MENSTRUAL CYCLE TRACKER:
(and holiday/family planner!)

Shade the start date of your last period in a red pen
Circle the end date of your last period in a red pen
Count the number of days of your average cycle from day 1 of your last period
Circle the last date of your cycle in a black pen

This will indicate your:
Anticipated period date
Fertile window
Approximate ovulation date
Pregnancy test date

Stay tuned as I explain the hormonal shifts, physiological events and structural changes that occur in the monthly series.