Why has the menstrual cycle become longer? Menstrual irregularities: how to find and eliminate the cause

When a girl reaches the age of 12-14 years, she begins to have her first critical days. This suggests that the body is physiologically ready to give new life. Regular menstruation ends at the age of 50-55, followed by menopause. This whole process is divided into cycles called menstrual cycles. These periods have very strict time frames, but sometimes they entail a number of diseases and simply unpleasant situations. But first things first.

Menstruation is the process of the body shedding the functional lining of the uterus. This happens if the egg is not fertilized during ovulation. Normally, the menstrual cycle lasts 21–35 days. This period is regulated nervous system- hypothalamus and pituitary gland. Has a certain influence thyroid, as well as the adrenal cortex.

Girls experience their first periods differently. This depends, oddly enough, on the climate in which they live: the warmer the living conditions, the faster the body matures, so it is known that in many Scandinavian countries the first critical days begin at 16, and the menstrual cycle can last up to 35 days. Failure for several days due to stress is quite normal phenomenon. But what to do if such a failure happens regularly? What does this mean and how to treat it?

Causes of menstruation irregularities

After a girl gets her first period, her periods will be completely erratic for 8-10 cycles. During this period, the body undergoes a restructuring and a healthy menstrual cycle is established, which ranges from 21 days to 35 days. In adult women, menstruation is more stable, so it is much easier to monitor its irregularities and identify pathology.

Infection

The most common cause of cycle disruption is infections that affect the pelvic organs.

Possible signs of pelvic infection:

• irregular menstruation (delay of 5-7 days or more);
• prolongation of bleeding time (more than 7 days);
• painful menstruation;
• pain in the lower abdomen outside menstrual bleeding;
• increase in body temperature.

If you notice that your menstrual cycle has changed or your periods have become inconsistent, contact your doctor who will conduct an examination and prescribe treatment.

Most often, if the causes of the disorder are chlamydia, ureaplasma, mycoplasma or other bacteria, then special treatment will get rid of unpleasant discomfort. This is the most common cause of menstrual irregularities, and it is quite easy to cure. There are much more dangerous problems.

Often the menstrual period may shift or lengthen due to gynecological diseases(uterus and its appendages). In this regard, treatment is simply necessary, as this can cause infertility. When the uterus becomes inflamed, severe pain in the lower abdomen, mucous discharge is formed. If you run similar diseases, in the future they may manifest themselves in the form of heavy bleeding, the menstrual period will lengthen or become completely unstable. In this case, you should definitely consult a doctor.

This problem is also encountered young girls, and mature women. Hormonal imbalance is often caused by insufficiency of the second phase menstrual cycle. But what will cause the unstable release of hormones in the body?

• Malfunction thyroid gland. We can talk about both its hyperfunction and hypofunction.
• Adrenal dysfunction.
• Past acute and chronic diseases.

Hormonal pathology is often accompanied by a shortening of menstrual bleeding time and a long delay in the cycle. If your periods become scanty and continue to decrease, and the interval between them increases, you should consult a doctor.

When a woman uses contraceptive pills, it causes a malfunction of the reproductive system, and therefore the sperm is not able to fertilize the egg. But, in addition, these drugs have a serious impact on the same hormonal levels, which is why, against the background of their withdrawal, the menstrual cycle can increase to 60 days. These medications should only be used after consulting a doctor.

Climate change

As mentioned above, girls who live in warm countries begin their periods much earlier. This indicates that climate directly affects female body. It is for this reason that a change in climate zone can cause menstruation irregularities. But no treatment is needed in this case, the female body very quickly adapts to new living conditions and within a month everything will fall into place.

Bad dream

Lack of sleep is another cause of hormonal imbalance in women. The body's productivity drops, and it is no longer able to satisfy women's desires. reproductive system in the right amount of vital elements. As a result, menstruation may be disrupted for a day or two in either direction each cycle. There is no need to panic about this - normalize it

In this situation it is quite simple. You just need to get a good rest and schedule a work schedule that will include enough time for sleep and rest. After this, with high probability, everything will return to its place.

Diet can affect your menstrual cycle! For example, you decided to go on a diet, you limited your body from a number of harmful fats, cholesterol and other not so useful substances. The body immediately senses this and begins to adapt to hormonal level. This leads to failure. And if we also add physical exercise, then such an imbalance is more than likely. But in this case, treatment is not necessary, this process is largely adaptive and within a month you will be able to return to a stable menstrual cycle again.

An important point: strict diets and sudden weight loss can lead to amenorrhea. In this case, menstruation will be completely absent. A mandatory consultation with a gynecologist and nutritionist is required.

It has already been said above that menstruation can be delayed for several days. stressful situations and there is nothing terrible here, but depression and constant worries can lead to much more serious problems, and a change in menstrual period will be only one of them. Delays in this case are possible up to 60 days. In such situation correct treatment– this is the only way out!

Anovulation

If you think 40 days is too long protracted cycle, then, fortunately, you are not aware of such problems as oligoovulation (rare ovulations) and anovulation ( complete absence ovulation - maturation of the egg). This is a very serious disease that requires medical intervention. At similar pathology violated normal cycle, and natural pregnancy is almost impossible.

Stopping menstruation may be a sign of pregnancy. Each menstrual cycle, the uterus “restores” before ovulation, preparing the body for possible procreation. If fertilization has taken place, the lining of the uterus no longer needs regular renewal, and therefore menstruation stops. After childbirth, the menstrual cycle will gradually resume.

Cycle disruption in girls is a very common phenomenon and completely natural. The fact is that at a young age, hormonal levels are just beginning to establish themselves. The menstrual cycle either increases or becomes shorter, but within the first year after menarche it becomes stable, after which it is easier to create a women’s calendar.

Diets

Women who undergo extreme diets and begin to lose weight rapidly also begin to suffer from regular cycle. Such sudden changes vitality very harmful to the female body. But not only diet is to blame, but also rapid weight gain. In this case, the menstrual period may become shorter or, conversely, longer. To avoid this outcome, use exclusively the diets prescribed by a nutritionist, exercise and eat right. In this case, diet plays the most important role. Interestingly, representatives of the fair sex who suffer from anorexia stop having periods completely due to severe exhaustion and weakening of the body.

This term is more familiar to mature women. At the age of 45-50 years, the body is no longer able to regenerate so rapidly, this also applies to the uterine mucosa: the menstrual cycle has become longer, and menstruation passes without heavy discharge. In this case, we can assume that failure of menstruation in adulthood is the first sign of menopause. This also applies to women with early menopause.

So, it's worth summing up. Exists a large number of diseases and disorders that cause an increase in the menstrual cycle, its reduction or instability. There is no point in talking about treatment methods, because thousands of gynecologists from all over the world insist that diseases of the female body must be dealt with under the supervision of doctors, no self-medication, and even more so traditional medicine. All medications should be prescribed by a gynecologist after a thorough examination of the patient.

Now you will know why the menstrual cycle fails and what to do when this happens to you. So if your periods regarding menstruation have changed, there is no need to panic yet, you need to study all the symptoms in detail, and it is best to consult a doctor immediately.

For many, a delay in menstruation is primarily associated with the onset of pregnancy. This is true, but there are many other factors that affect the menstrual cycle. Delay may be caused endocrine diseases, this often happens after an infection. Severe stress and overwork, poor nutrition, climate change, and even common cold may disrupt the menstrual cycle.

You should not consider the cycle that you are already accustomed to as the norm, even if it has been typical for you from the very beginning of your menstruation, and even if, despite its peculiarity or irregularity, you manage to get pregnant and give birth. Delayed menstruation can occur at different age periods of a woman’s life: during puberty, during puberty and premenopause. Cycle fluctuations of 5-7 days in both directions are within normal limits. If the fall provoked a cycle shift, then in a month or two everything will return to normal. However, it is advisable to consult a doctor and undergo a routine examination.

We list the most common causes of delays in women with an established menstrual cycle.

1. Stress - long-term or severe short-term - is the cause of work failure central structures(cerebral cortex, hypothalamus), regulating the functioning of the ovaries and uterus. An example of such disorders is the so-called wartime amenorrhea, when women stopped menstruating under conditions of stress.

2. Climate change. Optimal time restoration of a regular cycle, both during the period of acclimatization and after cessation of breastfeeding, is considered to be 1-3 months, up to 6 months is acceptable.

3. Another reason for a significant delay in menstruation can be significant and quick loss weight. With a strong desire to lose weight, having reached this critical menstrual weight (45-47 kg), a woman can get not only the desired result, but also a long delay in menstruation.

4. In addition, to irregular menstruation leads to obesity. If this condition is brought to extreme and persists for a long time, a complete cessation of menstruation may occur. If you are obese, weight loss is absolutely necessary.

5. The menstrual cycle may lengthen due to ovulatory abnormality. The reason for this may be: acute inflammation, severe emotional shock, lack of ovulation in this cycle, or late ovulation. The latter, as a rule, is a consequence of taking hormonal drugs(ovulation may be delayed by 10-15 days), taking post-coital contraceptives or suddenly stopping taking contraception in the middle of the cycle.

6. The absence of menstruation for 6 months or more is called amenorrhea. There are true and false amenorrhea. True physiological amenorrhea is observed in childhood, during pregnancy and lactation, during menopause. Pathological amenorrhea can be primary (no menstruation) or secondary (cessation of menstruation). Secondary amenorrhea is observed with general infectious and somatic diseases(tuberculosis, rheumatism, typhus, heart defects, liver diseases, etc.), severe intoxication (lead poisoning, mercury, alcoholism), nutritional disorders (malnutrition), neuropsychological disorders and hormonal disorders(damage to the hypothalamus, pituitary gland, ovaries, adrenal glands, thyroid gland). With false amenorrhea, there are cyclic changes, but menstrual blood is not released due to obstructions in the cervix, vagina, and hymen.

7. Menopausal dysfunction ovaries. At the age of over 40 years, ovarian function begins to decline, ovulation is often delayed or does not occur at all, so delayed menstruation at this age is quite common.

8. Cycle disruption can be caused by a functional ovarian cyst - follicular cyst, unovulated follicle or cyst corpus luteum. Functional cyst characterized by normal maturation of the dominant follicle throughout the cycle, but without its rupture. This happens in 5-10% of normal cycles. But if this syndrome is repeated frequently, it usually leads to the inability to get pregnant. The follicle does not disappear, but quickly increases in size. It can reach 4-5 cm in diameter.

9. Ectopic pregnancy. An ectopic pregnancy poses a great danger to the life of a pregnant woman. A fertilized egg can implant on the ovaries, peritoneum, omentum and other organs abdominal cavity, but most often in pipes (99%). It is important to recognize in time ectopic pregnancy and hospitalize the patient.

10. Abortion. Delayed menstruation can also occur after termination of pregnancy. The reason is a violation hormonal balance, as well as the fact that during instrumental curettage of the uterus, an excessive amount of tissue can be removed, including that part of the inner lining of the uterus, which normally grows during the menstrual cycle and is released in the form menstrual blood. To restore this functional layer sometimes takes a little longer than during a normal cycle. That is, after an abortion, menstruation may occur not after 28-32 days, but after 40 days or more. This delay is not normal: the woman requires examination and treatment. In addition, abortion causes severe hormonal disruption, since the body prepares for the continuation of pregnancy, and abortion rudely interrupts these processes. Endometrial shedding is controlled by ovarian hormones. Therefore, after an abortion, cycle disturbances are possible.

11. The cause of delayed menstruation may be taking oral contraceptives. While taking the drug or after its discontinuation, absence of menstruation may occur for several menstrual cycles: this is the so-called ovarian hyperinhibition syndrome.

12. Pregnancy is the most common and most physiological cause of delayed menstruation in women of reproductive age.

Menstruation – physiological process, which normally recurs monthly in women. The duration of the menstrual cycle and the nature of menstruation are individual for each woman, this is due to the structural features of the body, the presence of any diseases of the female reproductive system, genetic characteristics and many other factors.

U healthy woman childbearing age Menstruation should be regular. The duration of the menstrual cycle (from the beginning of the previous menstruation to the first day of the next menstruation) should be approximately 28 - 35 days.

Why does menstruation occur? Every month, an egg matures in the body of a healthy woman. If fertilization does not occur, the egg is released.

Regular menstrual cycle is the main indicator normal operation reproductive function of the body. In other words, a woman whose menstrual cycle is constant is able to conceive and carry a child.

Menstruation is a necessary process for the normal functioning of the female body. However, there are many reasons that can disrupt a woman’s menstrual cycle and cause changes in the nature of her periods. Let's take a closer look at why such violations can occur.

Reasons that can cause disruption in the menstrual cycle and the main clinical forms of disorders

Menstrual irregularities, as a rule, are a consequence of some pathology or arise as a result of exposure to unfavorable factors on reproductive function.

There are three main types of reasons that provoke disruption of the menstrual cycle:

• pathological (cycle disruption due to the presence of diseases);
• physiological (stress, diet, climate change, etc.);
• medicinal (cycle disruption is caused by taking or stopping any medications).

Pathologies that can cause menstrual irregularities:

1. One of the main and most common reasons Menstrual cycle disorders in women are ovarian pathologies.
2. Disruption of the hypothalamic-pituitary system.
3. Pathologies in the functioning of the adrenal glands.
4. Endometrial polyps.
5. Endometriosis.
6. Diseases of the uterus.
7. Oncological diseases.
8. Damage to the uterine cavity as a result of curettage or abortion.
9. Liver diseases.
10. Disturbances in the functioning of the hemocoagulant system.
11. Conditions after operations on the female reproductive system.
12. Genetic reasons.

As mentioned above, one of the types of reasons that can affect the regularity of menstruation is external factors. This includes work in hazardous industries, a change of place of residence, severe emotional shocks, drinking alcohol and smoking, an unbalanced diet, and sudden weight loss.

In addition, irregular periods are observed in women undergoing drug treatment drugs hormone therapy, antidepressants, anticoagulants and others. That is why only a doctor should prescribe medications and monitor the patient’s condition during treatment.

Main clinical forms menstrual cycle disorders are:

1. Cyclical changes menstruation:

• hypermenorrhea – increase in volume menstrual flow at normal duration menstruation;
• hypomenorrhea – scanty menstruation;
• polymenorrhea - normal duration of monthly discharge in terms of volume more than a week;
• menorrhagia – a significant increase in the volume of menstrual flow, the duration of menstruation is more than 12 days;
• oligomenorrhea – short menstruation (1-2 days);
• opsomenorea – rare periods, the interval between which can reach 3 months;
• proyomenorrhea - a menstrual cycle of less than 21 days.

2. Amenorrhea – absence of menstruation for more than 3 months.

3. Metrorrhagia (uterine bleeding):

• occurring in the middle of the cycle (anovulatory);
• dysfunctional (independent of the ovulation process).

4. Painful menstruation (algomenorrhea).

Diagnosis

In order to regulate the menstrual cycle and restore it, you first need to understand what caused the disturbances. To do this you need to go through comprehensive examination, based on the results of which the specialist will be able to select the necessary treatment.

Diagnostics includes several stages:

1. Taking an anamnesis - you need to tell the doctor about all diseases, the number of births and abortions, medications taken, external factors that could affect the consistency of menstruation.
2. Gynecological examination and smear test.
3. Blood tests, including determination of hormones.
4. Additional tests prescribed by your doctor.

What can cause menstrual irregularities?

Many women do not consider irregular menstrual cycles big problem. However, such disorders can lead to infertility. Intermenstrual bleeding, for example, can cause apathy, fatigue, decreased immunity.

How to deal with menstrual irregularities

After diagnosis, the doctor decides on the need for one or another method of therapy, this can be either conservative drug treatment or eliminating the causes of cycle disruption through surgical intervention. Often these two methods are combined during the treatment process.

To normalize the menstrual cycle, it is necessary to eliminate exactly the cause that led to the cycle failure, so anti-inflammatory drugs can be prescribed, hormonal contraceptives, hemostatic drugs.

Restoring the menstrual cycle after childbirth

Separately, I would like to talk about restoring the menstrual cycle in women in postpartum period. It is worth considering that menstruation has resumed only after the onset of the first menstruation. But even here you should not hope that the cycle will immediately become regular.

The changes that have occurred in the female body in connection with pregnancy and childbirth, including hormonal ones, can affect the stability, character, and pain of menstruation. Irregular periods are acceptable during the first 2-3 months from the moment they begin to recur.

Women whose periods do not come 2 months after childbirth should be concerned, provided that the baby is on artificial feeding. If your baby is on a mixed diet, then menstruation may be absent for up to six months. Young mothers who breastfeed their baby may not wait for menstruation during the entire first year.

It takes time to restore the menstrual cycle. Often, disruptions in the menstrual cycle occur precisely due to exposure external factors: try to avoid conflicts, stress, emotional experiences, eat right and get proper rest in the postpartum period.

If your periods after childbirth become more abundant or scanty, long-lasting or short-term, or more painful, you should immediately consult a gynecologist.

Particular attention should be paid to the process of restoring menstruation for those women who gave birth through caesarean section. To avoid complications or identify them at the very beginning, it is necessary to constantly visit a gynecologist.

In conclusion, I would like to emphasize that identifying pathologies that caused menstrual irregularities early stages significantly increases the chance of getting rid of them. You should not self-medicate - this can only worsen the situation. Prescription of medications should be carried out only by a doctor, taking into account the diagnosis and medical history of the patient.

Replies

The discomfort that appears along with irregularity and cessation of menstruation is familiar to every woman. If the menstrual cycle fails, the reasons for this condition are different. It is worth talking about what processes may be hidden behind these body signals, why the cycle changes and how important it is to eliminate such a condition in a timely manner.

Causes of pathology

The normal cycle period is 3-4 weeks. They begin to count the cycle from the first day of menstruation until next first day of menstruation. During this time, ovulation occurs - the egg matures and enters the peritoneal cavity, moving to the uterus. When a sperm enters an egg, pregnancy occurs. This reason, when violated, is the most common, but not the most common. Failure of the menstrual cycle can occur due to exhausting psychological and physical activity, strict diets, hormonal problems, other pathologies.

In addition, disruption of the menstrual cycle can occur due to:

1. Reductions or sharp increase the level of intensity of menstruation or its complete disappearance. If you have not gained or lost several kilograms in a short period of time, then it is more advisable to undergo testing for the presence of typical species infection of the body.
2. Hormonal background. This reason is quite common, especially in adolescence. In this case, a fairly serious examination of the condition of the thyroid and adrenal glands is prescribed. may occur due to dysfunction of the nervous system and emotional problems.
3. The presence of low-grade inflammation of the pelvic organs, especially with colds in adolescence.
4. High infection rate in childhood. This may include frequent colds and certain serious illnesses that were suffered in early childhood.
5. Light weight. This fact is not at all surprising, since a low body mass index affects metabolism and leads to disruption of the menstrual cycle.
6. Stress and overload of the body. Because of such factors, psychological training and psychotherapy are often used in treatment.
7. Transitional age period. Failure to have your period for more than two weeks can be considered a failure, but in young girls the menstrual cycle can fluctuate greatly, which is quite normal.
8. Self-medication and taking low-grade drugs for weight loss. Very often, girls do not know about the need for control when taking medications and dietary supplements, which causes disruption of the menstrual cycle.

Manifestations of menstrual irregularities

Various failures of menstruation during the month can be defined as a violation in general work body. It happens that menstruation has changed in several ways, for example, the nature and time of bleeding has changed. There are several stages:

1. Amenorrhea - the normal menstrual cycle is absent for 6 months or more. It stands out when the failure began with the onset of menstruation, as well as secondary - disturbances appeared some time after normal course menstruation.
2. Oligomenorrhea - menstruation comes once every 3-4 months.
3. Opsomenorea - menstruation is very scanty and short in duration, no more than a couple of days.
4. Hyperpolymenorrhea - periods are quite heavy while maintaining normal duration.
5. Menorrhagia - heavy menstruation and lasting more than 10 days.
6. Metrorrhagia - spotting appears irregularly and may appear in the middle of the cycle.
7. Proyomenorrhea - menstruation comes quite often, that is, the menstrual cycle lasts less than 21 days.
8. Algomenorrhea - menstruation brings severe pain, which can cause you to lose your ability to work for a while. It can also be primary and secondary.
9. Dysmenorrhea is any disorder of menstruation, which is accompanied by pain during menstruation and autonomic disorder having symptoms general intoxication body.

Medical therapy

Treatment begins with getting rid of factors that affect the course of the menstrual cycle. So, for example, the diet craze often becomes main reason in the failure of menstruation. For such treatment, an individual diet is selected and it is recommended to avoid too much physical activity.

In case of disruption of the normal course of the menstrual cycle, therapy is prescribed, but only after they have been excluded pathological conditions blood clotting. Types of therapy aimed at eliminating symptoms:

1. Hemostatic drugs. The main representatives are Etamzilat, Tranexam and Vikasol. IN inpatient conditions they are administered by drip and intramuscular route. Possible appointment oral administration to enhance the resulting effect.
2. Taking aminocaproic acid, which reduces the level of bleeding in 60% of cases.
3. In case of severe blood loss, an infusion of plasma, less often blood, is performed.
4. Surgical intervention. This treatment method is used extremely rarely, for example, in the case of heavy bleeding in women over 40 years of age in the presence of persistent anemia, when the exact cause cannot be determined. Surgery may include uterine curettage, endometrial ablation, and hysterectomy.
5. Taking hormonal drugs. Oral contraceptives are most often prescribed. It helps in improving hemostatic efficiency and acts as a primary treatment. Preferably drugs with combined effects are prescribed containing high dosage progesterone and estrogen. The most popular representatives of this group of products are Duphaston and Utrozhestan. It is worth noting that the choice of drug will depend on the doctor, since there are no real differences between them. The dosage is determined individually. Besides, hormonal treatment presented the following drugs: Norethisterone, Medroxyprogesterone acetate.

Representatives of the fair sex over 40 years of age, when, are predominantly prescribed drugs that completely or partially “disable” menstruation. These include:

1. Danazol helps reduce the amount of bleeding.
2. Gestrinone leads to endometrial atrophy.
3. GnRH agonists completely stop the menstrual cycle. Treatment is limited to six months to prevent the occurrence of osteochondrosis. They are used quite rarely due to their high cost.

Along with all of the above, we should not forget that the treatment of menstrual irregularities will initially consist of getting rid of the underlying pathology that caused this condition.

Until the main source of inflammation is eliminated, cure is hardly possible.

When should you visit a doctor?

The failure of menstruation may seem like a trifle, but it often leads to serious and persistent problems if it is not cured in time. For girls who are sexually active, it is recommended to undergo a gynecological consultation every 6 months, even in the absence of any complaints. There are quite a large number of types of infection that do not manifest themselves, do not cause complaints and do not affect the well-being of a woman, but at the same time have a fairly large number of consequences.

Thus, you should consult a doctor if:

1. A girl under 15 years of age has not started her menstrual cycle.
2. Menstruation irregularities appear systematically, that is, they are shortened or lengthened by 5-7 days.
3. Menstruation does not last long and is also very scanty.
4. At the age of 45-50 years, due to an increase in the interval between menstruation, heavy bleeding began to appear.
5. There is pain during ovulation.
6. Before and after menstruation, bloody discharge appears that does not go away during long period time.
7. The periods are too heavy. It is worth remembering that during one period of menstruation a girl can lose a maximum of 150 ml of blood.
8. A year later, a regular menstrual cycle could not be established.

To diagnose the problem, hormonal examination and ultrasound are prescribed. internal organs, general analysis blood, smear and verbal collection of information to determine the approximate causes of this condition. Depending on the diagnosis, they are prescribed various ways treatment.

It is fraught with many mysteries. And deal with them all to an ordinary person sometimes it can be very difficult. Therefore, in this article I would like to talk in detail about the cycle. The norm and deviations will also be described below.

Understanding the concepts

First of all, I want to define the concepts themselves in order to fully understand what we're talking about. So, the monthly (or more correctly, the menstrual) cycle is a special physiological process that is characteristic exclusively of the female body (a sexually mature individual). It is of a regular nature and mainly affects the reproductive system. All these processes are controlled by hormones produced by the ovaries and the brain.

When does a woman begin to develop monthly cycle? The norm is the time of puberty for a girl. This happens on average at 11-14 years of age. The menstrual cycle disappears in women with the onset of menopause (most often it occurs at the age of 45-55). This is a normal physiological process, as a result of which a woman no longer becomes able to conceive and bear a baby. External manifestation The menstrual cycle is bleeding, 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 you need to start counting from the first day of bleeding, and end with the last day before the new menstruation. Ideally, the monthly cycle is 28 days. But this does not happen for all women. A deviation from this figure of one week is also considered the norm. That is, if a woman’s cycle lasts within 21-35 days, there is nothing wrong with that. If not, you should definitely consult a doctor for qualified advice. It is also important to remember that the cycle must be regular. If one month has 25 days, and the second - 32 - this is abnormal. Variations are possible within 1-3 days. IN 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 an egg comes out, completely ready for fertilization.
2. Menstruation. Occurs approximately 12-15 days after ovulation. This is bloody discharge, with which, as unnecessary (if pregnancy has not occurred), the exfoliated endometrium comes out.

Phases

The phases of the menstrual cycle are what else needs to be discussed 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 corpus luteum phase).

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

1. Menstruation phase.
2. Ovulation phase.

However, most scientists believe that it is not entirely correct to distinguish them from the point of view 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 menstrual cycle begins with the first phase, which is calculated from the first day of bleeding. These are the so-called menstruation. 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 lasts only 3 to 6 days. It ends even before the end of bleeding in women. What else is important to say when studying the menstrual cycle? 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 consult a doctor. You should also seek help if bleeding continues for a week or more.

Possible problems

What problems may arise in this phase?

1. Amenorrhea (the prefix “a” means absence). This is the complete absence of bleeding. However, this diagnosis can only be made if a similar phenomenon is observed for six months.
2. Algomenorrhea (the prefix “algo” means pain). These are painful periods when a woman feels very bad. At this time, the woman’s ability to work sharply decreases.
3. Menorrhagia. This is too much bleeding. This diagnosis can be diagnosed if a woman’s menstruation lasts more than 7 days or the amount of discharge is more than 80 ml.

Second phase: follicular

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

Problems

Disruption of the menstrual cycle in the second phase can be caused by various stresses and diseases. In this case, the third phase of the female cycle will occur somewhat later than usual.

Phase Three: Ovulation

This is the middle of the monthly cycle. At this moment, there is a restructuring of hormones in the female body. The level of FSH, i.e., decreases significantly, but immediately a surge of LH occurs, 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 ends.
3. The egg is released from the follicle, after which it enters the fallopian tubes and awaits conception (period is about two days).

Phase four: luteal

It can also be called the “corpus luteum 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 it dries cervical mucus, LH production stops. If a normal monthly cycle is observed in women, then this phase lasts no more than 16 days (within a maximum of 12 days, the 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 gestation.
2. If fertilization does not occur: in this case, the egg dies and the production of progesterone stops. This causes destruction of the endometrium, which entails its rejection and the onset of the first phase of the new menstrual cycle - bleeding.

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 conceiving a baby or, conversely, avoid unwanted pregnancy. After all, as everyone knows, there are favorable and dangerous days female cycle. More details about this:

1. The maximum probability of conception is a couple of days before ovulation or during 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 sexual 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 is worth saying 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 calculations, but to take additional protection modern means, say, condoms.

Basal temperature

We further study the monthly cycle. The norm and deviations must be known to every woman. Here I would also like to talk about how you can identify the phases yourself. To do this, just follow the graph basal temperature(as is known, this measurement temperature indicators in a woman’s vagina or rectum). In the first days after bleeding, the temperature should be kept within 37 °C. Then it usually decreases slightly, and then “jumps” by 0.5 °C and is normally more than 37 °C. The temperature remains at this level almost all the time, but a few days before the start of menstruation it drops again. If this does not happen, we can say that the girl became pregnant. If the temperature has not changed at all throughout the entire 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 menstrual cycle. What symptoms may indicate this:

1. Increasing the interval between menstruation, its significant fluctuation.
2. Change of days in the cycle (deviation of more than three days in any direction).
3. Copious or scanty bleeding.
4. 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 menstrual cycle (not only the first).
6. The duration of bleeding 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.

Causes

If a woman’s menstrual cycle is disrupted, the reasons for this may be the following:

1. Weight change - obesity or sudden weight loss. Fasting, 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 woman. Accordingly, for the menstrual cycle.
2. Stress. In this state, the woman actively begins to produce the hormone prolactin, which can inhibit ovulation and cause a delay in menstruation.
3. Physical exercise.
4. Acclimatization. If a woman changes her waist belt - from heat to cold or vice versa, the body turns on protective forces, which can affect the female cycle.
5. If a woman's menstrual cycle is off, the reason for this may be hormonal disbalance(impaired production of certain hormones).
6. Women's diseases. The cycle may go astray if a woman has the following problems: inflammation of the uterus, pathology of the cervix, cysts, polyps of the uterus, and its 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 medications are chosen correctly, a clear and normal menstrual cycle will be established.
8. Adolescence and menopause. During these periods, the female cycle may be irregular, which is not an indicator of any special problems with the body. In a young girl, the first cycle of menstruation will never be an indicator that menstruation will continue in the same manner.
9. A woman will stop menstruating completely if she becomes pregnant.
10. Huge problems with the cycle will occur in the case of involuntary or planned abortions.

Diagnostics

If a woman starts menstruating in the middle of her cycle or has some other problem, she mandatory should apply for medical consultation. After all, this may be the reason for quite serious problems with the body. What indicators will the gynecologist use to diagnose?

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

If these procedures do not provide complete answers to the doctor’s questions, the lady may be prescribed additional studies:

1. Ultrasound of the pelvic or abdominal organs.
2. Hormone tests.
3. MRI - magnetic resonance imaging (definition pathological changes in tissues, as well as searching for possible neoplasms).
4. Hysteroscopy (examination of the patient’s uterine walls using a special instrument).

Only the combination of these methods for studying the patient’s condition can give full picture causes of her illness, which will lead to the diagnosis correct diagnosis and prescribing appropriate treatment.

Diseases

Above, a little was said 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 bleeding.
2. Opsomenorea. Significant shortening of the duration of bleeding in a woman.
3. Oligomenorrhea. This is an increase in the interval honey bloody discharge ladies.

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

Complications

If a woman’s cycle is disrupted (for example, different periods of time pass between periods) or other problems arise with women's health, you should immediately consult 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 late detection of pathologies that cause disruptions in the menstrual cycle can lead not only to the inability to get pregnant, but even to fatal outcome young lady.

If a woman has minor irregularities in her menstrual cycle, she 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 everything from food harmful products, pay more attention to consumption fresh vegetables and fruits, as well as cereals. The lady should also get enough rest: at least seven hours night sleep, breaks from work, physical activity and stay on fresh air- only these nuances can correct the female cycle with minor glitches.

Treatment by a doctor

If a girl still needs to apply for medical assistance, treatment will be prescribed based on the reasons that led to hormonal imbalance.

1. If stress is the cause, the patient will be prescribed sedatives.
2. If there are problems with bleeding, the woman may be prescribed hemostatic drugs (to eliminate bleeding if menstruation occurs in the middle of the cycle).
3. At heavy bleeding a lady can have an infusion donor blood, plasma.
4. Maybe surgical intervention(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 an infectious disease).
6. The most common methods of treatment are the prescription of hormonal drugs to regulate hormonal levels.