It is a biofeedback system that means each gland and structure is affected by external activities. Every month during the period between puberty and menopause, the body of a woman undergoes a lot of changes for preparing for a possible pregnancy. These hormone-driven events are known as the menstrual cycle. During this cycle, the egg develops and it is released from the ovaries. When pregnancy does not occur, the uterine lining sheds in a menstrual period. Thereafter the cycle begins again.
What are the Different Menstrual Phases of a Woman?
The menstrual cycle of a woman has four phases. These phases are discussed in our Menstrual Cycle assignment help desk:
- Menstrual phase
- Follicular phase
- Ovulation phase
- Luteal phase
Menstrual Phase
It is the first stage and you get the period this time. The phase begins when the egg from the earlier cycle does not get fertilized. As pregnancy does not take place, the estrogen and progesterone hormone levels drop. You can develop period symptoms including tender breasts, cramps, bloating, irritability, mood swings, tiredness, headaches, and low back pain. Women are in the menstrual cycle for 3-7 days.
Follicular Phase
This phase begins on the beginning day of a period and ends with ovulation. It begins when the pituitary gland releases FSH or follicle-stimulating hormone. The hormone stimulates the ovaries for producing 5-20 small sacs known as follicles. The average phase lasts for almost 16 days. It might range between 11-27 days.
Ovulation Phase
Increasing estrogen levels in the follicular phase might trigger the pituitary gland in releasing LH or luteinizing hormone. It starts the ovulation process. The ovulation phase is the time during a menstrual cycle when you might get pregnant. You can get the symptoms such as A slight increase in the basal body temperature and thicker discharge, which has the texture of an egg white. This happens around day 14 when you have a 28-day cycle, in the middle of a menstrual cycle. This remains for 24 hours. Post a day, this egg shall dissolve or die when not fertilized. This phase is discussed in details in our help for homework assignment in Menstrual Cycle subject.
Luteal Phase
When you do not become pregnant, the body shall produce hCG or human chorionic gonadotropin. This hormone detects pregnancy tests. It can maintain the corpus luteum. In this phase, if you do not become pregnant, you might experience symptoms like mood changes, bloating, weight gain, headache, trouble sleeping, food cravings.