Description

Chart Menstrual Cycle In Women

This is a chart depicting the menstrual cycle in women:

The menstrual cycle is a series of natural changes that a woman’s body goes through monthly to prepare for pregnancy. It typically lasts between 21 and 35 days, although shorter or longer cycles are also normal. The menstrual cycle is regulated by hormones, primarily estrogen and progesterone.

Phases of the Menstrual Cycle

The menstrual cycle can be divided into four main phases:

• Menstrual Phase (Days 1-5): This is the period of bleeding that marks the beginning of a new cycle. The lining of the uterus (endometrium), which had been thickening in preparation for pregnancy, is shed and exits the body as menstrual blood.
• Follicular Phase (Days 6-14): During this phase, under the influence of estrogen, follicles (tiny sacs in the ovaries) begin to mature, each containing an egg. One follicle will become dominant and release a mature egg (ovulation), while the others regress. The endometrium also begins to thicken again in preparation for a possible pregnancy.
• Ovulation Phase (Day 14 or Around): Around the middle of the menstrual cycle, the mature egg is released from the dominant follicle and swept up by the fallopian tube. This is the time when pregnancy is most likely to occur if fertilization by sperm takes place.
• Luteal Phase (Days 15-28): After ovulation, the empty follicle left behind in the ovary forms the corpus luteum, which produces progesterone. Progesterone helps to prepare the endometrium for pregnancy by making it more receptive to a fertilized egg. If pregnancy does not occur, the corpus luteum degenerates, progesterone levels drop, and the endometrium begins to break down, leading to the next menstrual period.

Hormonal Changes Throughout the Cycle

• Estrogen: Estrogen levels rise during the follicular phase, stimulating the growth of the endometrium and triggering ovulation. After ovulation, estrogen levels decrease.
• Progesterone: Progesterone levels rise after ovulation and help to prepare the endometrium for pregnancy. If pregnancy does not occur, progesterone levels fall, which contributes to the breakdown of the endometrium and the start of the next menstrual period.

Additional Factors Affecting the Menstrual Cycle

Several factors can influence the menstrual cycle, including:

• Age
• Weight
• Diet and exercise
• Stress
• Medications
• Medical conditions