Menstruation is the shedding of the uterine lining which is prepared for pregnancy. If the egg cell is not fertilized by a sperm cell, Women will experience the process of menstruation every month. However, every woman has a different cycle.
Menstruation is a cycle. The menstrual cycle generally lasts 28 days, counting from the first day of the current menstrual period to the first day of the next menstrual period. However, not all women have the same length of menstrual cycle. This cycle can sometimes come sooner or later, depending on the condition of each woman.
Understanding the Menstrual Process
The menstrual process is divided into four phases, including:
1. Phase mmenstruation
If there is no fertilization of the egg by sperm, during the menstrual phase, the lining of the uterine wall (endometrium) which contains blood vessels, uterine wall cells, and mucus will shed and come out through the vagina.
This phase starts from the first day of the menstrual cycle and can last for 4-6 days. In this phase, women will usually feel pain in the lower abdomen and back because the uterus contracts to help shed the endometrium.
2. Phase folicular
This phase lasts from the first day of menstruation until entering the ovulation phase. In this phase, the ovaries or ovaries will produce follicles that contain eggs. Along with the growth of ovarian follicles, the endometrial wall will also thicken to "welcome" the egg which is expected to have been fertilized by sperm.
The follicular phase usually occurs on the 10th of 28 days of a menstrual cycle. The duration of time spent in this phase determines how long a woman's menstrual cycle lasts.
3. Phase oVulation
In the ovulation phase, the follicle produced by the ovary will release an egg to be fertilized. The mature egg will move through the fallopian tube and into the uterus. This egg will only survive for 24 hours.
If not fertilized by sperm, the egg will die. On the other hand, if the egg is fertilized by a sperm, pregnancy will occur. The ovulation phase marks the fertile period of a woman. Ovulation usually occurs about 2 weeks before the start of the next menstrual cycle.
4. Phase luteal
After the ovulation phase, the follicle that has ruptured and released the egg will form the corpus luteum in this phase. The corpus luteum will trigger an increase in the hormone progesterone to thicken the lining of the uterine wall.
This phase is also known as the premenstrual phase, which is generally characterized by a number of symptoms such as enlarged breasts, acne breakouts, feeling weak, becoming irritable or emotional.
This menstrual process continues to rotate and ends when a woman has entered menopause. Usually, menopause occurs when women are 40 years and over.
Menstrual Hormones That Affect
The menstrual process is influenced by several hormones, including:
1. Estrogen hormone
The hormone estrogen plays an important role in the physical formation of female reproductive organs, for example in growing breast glands and hair around intimate organs, producing eggs in the ovaries, and regulating the menstrual cycle. Estrogen will increase in the ovulation phase and decrease in the luteal phase.
2. Progesterone hormone
One of the functions of the hormone progesterone is to stimulate the lining of the uterine wall to thicken and be ready to receive a fertilized egg. Levels of this hormone are very low in the follicular phase and will increase in the luteal phase. This hormone will be produced after passing the ovulation phase.
3. Gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRh)
This hormone is produced in the hypothalamus and stimulates the pituitary gland to secrete follicle stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone.
4. Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH)
This hormone plays a role in egg production. In the menstrual cycle, levels of this hormone will increase before the ovulation phase.
5. Luteinizing hormone (LH)
This hormone stimulates the ovaries to release eggs during ovulation. If the egg meets the sperm and is fertilized, this hormone will stimulate the corpus luteum to produce the hormone progesterone.
The normal menstrual process will occur with the phases as above and take place regularly every month. If your menstrual process is not running normally or there are disturbances during menstruation, immediately consult a doctor to get the right treatment.