Calculation of the Menstrual Cycle

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at menopause, the female reproductive system undergoes a series of cyclical changes of a structural and functional type, which are repeated every month. These changes - directly related to the reproduction and fertility of the woman - determine the so-called menstrual cycle.
The latter is an indicator of a woman's health; therefore, it is useful to understand how it works and keep it under control to recognize irregularities. Knowing how to calculate the menstrual cycle also allows you to identify which are the most fertile days when trying to have a baby or if you want to avoid becoming pregnant.

and the next.
To calculate its duration, it is necessary to consider the period from the 1st day on which the menstrual flow appears (1st day of the cycle) until the day before the start of the next menstruation.
In the case of a regular 28-day cycle, ovulation (when the ovary releases the egg cell) occurs 14 days before the next menstrual flow begins.

Menstrual cycle or menstruation? In common parlance, the term "menstrual cycle" is often misused to refer to menstruation, that is, the loss of blood that occurs every month and lasts an average of 3 to 7 days.

). This first phase of the cycle, although presenting an average duration of about 14 days, can in fact undergo fluctuations, ranging from 1 to 3 weeks.

Menstrual cycle: rhythm, quantity and duration Frequency 28 days (25-36 days) Menstruation Duration 3-7 days Blood loss 28-80 ml

For most women, however, the luteal phase (period from "ovulation to" the beginning of menstruation) is more constant and takes from 12 to 16 days (average duration: 14 days).
The regularity of the menstrual cycle is linked to a precise hormonal control of the phenomenon, in which the hypothalamus, pituitary and ovaries participate. The largest variations in cycle length occur in the first few years after menarche and premenopause.

egg and the preparation of a tissue suitable for its implantation. In other words, these events prepare the ground for a possible pregnancy, should fertilization by a sperm of male origin occur.
All these processes are associated with the periodic and regular secretion of ovarian, hypothalamic and pituitary hormones, directly related to fertility.

Therefore, various structures of the organism contribute to the maintenance of the menstrual cycle (central nervous system, hypothalamus, pituitary and ovaries).

). This event allows the uterus to remove the lining built up during the previous cycle.

Typically, menstruation lasts 3-7 days.

Preparation for ovulation

During the first part of the menstrual cycle, the pituitary starts the secretion of the follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), which stimulates the maturation of a "dominant" egg cell.
At the same time, there is a progressive increase in the levels of estradiol (produced by the ovary) in the blood. This causes a progressive thickening of the endometrium, which is thus preparing to receive the mature egg cell if it is fertilized.

Ovulation

Around the 14th day of the cycle, a sudden increase in luteinizing hormone (LH) causes the rupture of the ovarian follicle, with the consequent expulsion of the mature oocyte inside the fallopian tube (ovulation).

During the 24 hours following this event, the egg cell is available for the eventual encounter with the spermatozoa. The release of the oocyte is therefore a fundamental prerequisite for conception.

After ovulation

Immediately after ovulation, what remains of the "burst" follicle is transformed into the corpus luteum, which produces progesterone, a hormone necessary for the early stages of a possible pregnancy, which further thickens the endometrium.

• When conception does not take place, there is a rapid fall in progesterone levels due to the functional exhaustion of the corpus luteum. This triggers the phenomena that will lead to the flaking of the uterine wall and subsequent menstruation.
• Otherwise, the fertilized egg cell nestles in the uterus, where it finds the most favorable environment for its implantation and the continuation of the pregnancy.

and with the days in the vicinity of that event.
Typically, if the woman has regular cycles, this process occurs approximately every 28 days. After the beginning of menstruation, in fact, an oocyte (one for each menstrual cycle) takes on average 14 days to mature and, under the hormonal stimulus, to escape from the follicle that contains it to enter the tube. From here, the egg cell begins the its journey to the uterus where it nestles if, on its way, it is fertilized by a sperm.
Indicatively, the period in which it is possible for the egg to be fertilized begins 4-5 days before ovulation and ends 1-2 days later. This is possible in consideration of the fact that the egg cell matures when it is expelled from the ovary can survive about 24 hours, while the spermatozoa can remain viable in the female genital system up to 72-96 hours after intercourse.

or breastfeeding;

Eating disorders, sudden weight loss or gain, and excessive physical activity;

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS);

Premature ovarian failure;

Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID);

Uterine fibroids.

In case of alteration or interruption of the menstrual cycle (previously regular), it is advisable to consult a doctor.

Main alterations of the menstrual cycle Rhythm less than 25 days (short cycles, with close flows) Polymenorrhea Rhythm greater than 36 days (long cycles, with spaced flows) Oligomenorrhea Absence of menstruation for at least 3 months Amenorrhea Loss of excessively abundant menstrual blood, of a haemorrhagic nature, and / or of longer than normal duration Menorrhagia Abundant menstruation that is prolonged even in the intermenstrual period Menometrorrhagia Blood loss that occurs independently of menstrual flow or at a time when there should be no menstruation (pregnancy, menopause or before puberty) Metrorrhagia * Menstrual blood loss of less than 20ml (less than normal menstrual flow) Hypomenorrhea Menstrual blood loss greater than 80ml (heavy menstrual flow) Hypermenorrhea

* note: if the intermenstrual blood loss is minor, this is called spotting.

and how to identify major irregularities that, at times, can signal health problems.
For this purpose, you can use a calendar.
Taking monthly notes of the start of your period helps you to identify the approximate start of your next menstrual flow. This allows you to be prepared for the onset of blood loss and to understand which days are the most fertile, i.e. when conception is most likely.
In practice, from the 1st day on which the flow appears, as many days as the average duration of one's cycle must be counted (eg 28 days), so in the calendar the day on which menstruation is expected to begin should be marked with a pencil. next one.
For the compilation of an even more detailed calendar, it is also possible to write down all the symptoms that occur during the entire menstrual cycle, such as breast tenderness, cramps, headaches, back pain, mood swings, sleep disturbances, tiredness, bloating or upset stomach.