It just so happens that the reproductive function is activated in the girl’s body at the moment when she does not care about this function at all. Having just put the dolls aside, the girl is faced with a whole series of little-understood processes occurring in her body, which immediately begin to be heatedly discussed among her peers, with consultations from those who are older. And mothers in this situation do not always rise to the occasion, since they themselves are poorly versed in this topic.

So, let’s figure out once and for all what happens to you every month, dear women, what is considered normal, what should alert you.

Most women answer a question about the length of their menstrual cycle with a similar phrase “about once a month, a couple of days earlier than the previous month”- this intricate phrase denotes the duration of the cycle of 28 days. This cycle length occurs in most healthy women, but does this mean that a shorter or longer cycle is a manifestation of pathology? No!

Recognized that a normal menstrual cycle can last from 21 to 35 days, that is, plus or minus a week from the average of 28 days. The duration of menstruation itself can normally range from 2 to 6 days, and the volume of blood lost should be no more than 80 ml. A longer cycle occurs among residents of the northern regions, a shorter cycle among those living in the southern regions, but this is not an absolute pattern.

Regularity is important in the menstrual cycle. That is, if a woman’s cycle is always 35-36 days, then this can be absolutely normal for her, but if it is either 26, then 35, then 21, this is not the norm. Thus, Irregularity can be considered a pathology(when menstruation comes at an uneven period of time), long cycle(more than 36 days) or short cycle(less than 21 days). In general, the menstrual cycle can vary greatly depending on the condition of the woman and the situation in which she finds herself.

However, the lability of the menstrual cycle varies among different women depending on external and internal factors. For some, a little stress can already lead to a delay in menstruation, while for others, severe depression is not a reason for menstrual irregularities. The menstrual cycle of one woman can adapt to the menstrual cycle of another if they live together for a long time. This is often seen on women's sports teams or when living together in a dorm. It is not entirely clear what explains this fact. All we can say is that menstrual cycle although there is a clear mechanism, but may vary significantly in a normal healthy woman and these changes are a reflection of the body’s reaction to external and internal factors.

The menstrual cycle is not always stable

The most irregular period is the first two years after the start of menstruation and three years before its end (menopause). Violations during these periods are due to completely physiological reasons, which we will discuss below.

Where do these numbers come from and why might they change?

The menstrual cycle is divided into three phases: menstruation, the first phase (follicular) and the second phase (luteal). Menstruation lasts on average 4 days. During this phase, the lining of the uterus (endometrium) is shed due to failure to become pregnant.

First phase lasts from the end of menstruation until ovulation, that is, on average until the 14th day of the cycle with a 28-day cycle (the days of the cycle are counted from the moment the menstruation begins).

This phase is characterized by the following events: several follicles begin to grow in the ovaries (from birth, the ovaries contain a lot of small vesicles (follicles) containing eggs). During their growth, these follicles secrete estrogens (female sexual hormones) into the blood, under the influence of which the mucous membrane (endometrium) grows in the uterus.

Shortly before the 14th day of the cycle, all follicles except one stop growing and regress, and one grows to an average of 20 mm and bursts under the influence of special stimuli. This process is called ovulation. An egg emerges from the ruptured follicle and enters the fallopian tube, where it awaits the sperm. The edges of the ruptured follicle gather (like a flower closing for the night) and this formation is now called the “corpus luteum.”

Starts immediately after ovulation second phase of the cycle. It lasts from the moment of ovulation until the start of menstruation, that is, about 12-14 days. During this phase, the woman's body waits for the pregnancy to begin. In the ovary, the “corpus luteum” begins to flourish - the corpus luteum formed from the burst follicle sprouts vessels and begins to secrete another female sexual hormone (progesterone) into the blood, which prepares the uterine mucosa for the attachment of a fertilized egg and the beginning of pregnancy. If pregnancy does not occur, then a signal is sent to the corpus luteum and it curtails its work.

When the corpus luteum stops secreting progesterone, a signal is sent to the uterus, and it begins to reject the no longer needed endometrium. Menstruation begins.

With different cycle lengths, the duration of the phases is reduced - this means that one woman needs 10 days for the follicle to mature, while another needs 15-16.

Having understood what the menstrual cycle consists of, it is easy to understand what determines its duration normally and in the presence of pathology.

Why is everything often unstable at the very beginning and then, after childbirth, it gets better?

The female reproductive system matures gradually, and being a complex mechanism, requires a setup period. The fact that a girl's first menstruation occurs does not mean that its system is mature and ready to fully operate(although for some, the menstrual cycle starts working correctly from the very beginning).

The functioning of the female reproductive system can best be compared to an orchestra, the coordinated play of all the instruments of which creates the unique sound of a piece of music - in our case regular menstrual cycle. Just as the instruments in an orchestra require a period of tuning, all components of the reproductive system need to agree with each other to understand and work together harmoniously. Such a rehearsal usually takes about 6 months - for some it is longer, for others it is shorter, and for others it may take longer.

Why do there be delays or do my periods start earlier?

Everything is very simple - if during the first phase of the cycle it is not possible to grow a full-fledged follicle, which could burst in the middle of the cycle (ovulation), then the second phase of the cycle, accordingly, does not begin (no ovulation - there is nothing to form the corpus luteum from). The first phase lasts a long time, until the uterine mucosa (endometrium), which has grown under the influence of estrogen, begins to be rejected on its own (like a pyramid of cubes collapses when it is stood too high). The cycle in this situation can last up to several months.

In this case, in the next cycle, ovulation may occur and the cycle will have a normal length. When such alternation occurs, they speak of an irregular menstrual cycle.

Another reason for delayed menstruation may be too long existence of the corpus luteum. As I noted above, it lives for about 10 days and then begins to curtail its work, since pregnancy has not occurred. But sometimes it happens that despite the fact that pregnancy has not occurred, the corpus luteum continues its work and menstruation does not occur, and occurs only when the corpus luteum finally decides to leave.

More earlier onset of menstruation This is usually due to the fact that the notorious corpus luteum, on the contrary, stops its work too early. This leads to an earlier onset of menstruation.

Remember how the orchestra sounds when it tunes its instruments - the same cacophony from the menstrual cycle is often observed at the beginning. The components of the reproductive system negotiate between them so that they can grow a follicle in 14 days, start the ovulation process, and maintain the functioning of the corpus luteum for at least 10 days. At the beginning, she does not succeed in all stages of this work and this is manifested by an irregular menstrual cycle.

But this adjustment can be seriously interfered with by the person himself. Nothing has such a negative effect on the development of the reproductive system as stress(intensive study, exams, unhappy love), intense sports training, extreme weight loss, frequent illness, smoking, alcohol and drugs. Against the backdrop of all of the above, quite often periods disappear and then you have to wait a long time for them. And the reason is very simple, I would say there is simple biological expediency in this - in extreme living conditions and when, for health reasons, a woman cannot bear healthy offspring - the reproductive function is switched off until better times. It’s not for nothing that during the war, most women stopped menstruating; this phenomenon was even given a special term “wartime amenorrhea.”

What to do about it?

Let me make a reservation right away that I am not taking into account various diseases, I am talking about some common problems with adjusting the menstrual cycle. Such cycle disorders are solved by taking hormonal contraception. Here we need to return again to the comparison with the orchestra. If the orchestra starts to go out of tune, you must stop playing completely, give the musicians a rest and start again. Hormonal contraception does just that. She turns off the reproductive system and “rests” the entire time she takes contraception. Then, after its cancellation, the system begins to work again and, as a rule, the cycle failures disappear.

Why does the cycle quite often become stable after childbirth, and sexuality flourishes?

The orchestra can rehearse as much as it wants, but it is finally played only when it performs its first concert from beginning to end. Pregnancy is the only purpose for which the reproductive system is designed in the body. Only after the first full pregnancy, which ends in childbirth and the period of breastfeeding, the reproductive system matures completely, since during this period all the functions provided by nature are realized. After pregnancy, a woman finally matures and all the not fully “unpacked” properties of the body finally begin to work in full force.

The reproductive system must be used for its intended purpose - this is important; menstruation is not a function of the reproductive system, but a monthly reminder that it exists at all and is still working.

Let's step beyond 30...

Time passes, the reproductive system, which on average is allotted to exist in working order for 38 years (from 13 to 51), instead of performing its function is limited only to regular menstruation.

For reference: on average, a woman experiences about 400 menstruation during her life (with 2 births) and loses about 32 liters of blood, while during reproductive behavior (pregnancy, childbirth, 3 years of breastfeeding, and only then 1-2 menstruation and pregnancy again ) there are about 40 menstruation periods.

In addition, as a woman ages, her history of various gynecological and general diseases, and all this begins to affect the state of the reproductive system and, therefore, is reflected in menstrual irregularities. Inflammation, abortion, gynecological operations, overweight or underweight, and common chronic diseases can cause problems.

Menstrual irregularities in the form of delays or earlier onset of menstruation a couple of times a year can occur even in the absence of any pathology.

As a rule, this is due to climate change or other stresses on the body (illness, hard work, personal problems, etc.). All nervous professions can lead to either delays in menstruation, their earlier onset or complete cessation.

Every woman is different, so everyone's cycle will change differently depending on the type of stress response and the phase of the cycle in which it occurs. For the majority of women, nerve work does not affect their menstrual cycle at all. Cycle disorders, especially if it was stable before, often make a woman think that something is wrong with her. Not in all cases you need to panic.

If you can clearly remember any negative events in the recent past that greatly shocked you, then most likely this is a one-time cycle disruption and there is nothing wrong with it. If there is no menstruation for a very long time (and the pregnancy test is negative), then you need to consult a doctor. If menstruation came earlier and does not end, this is also a reason to hurry up for an examination with a gynecologist.

Sometimes Cyclic disorders can manifest as very frequent menstruation(several times a month). And there is no need to delay it - see a doctor immediately.
But if the regularity of the cycle disappears completely– this is also a reason to see a doctor.

Regularity– the main indicator of the normal functioning of the reproductive system. Sometimes it happens that a cycle had one duration and suddenly becomes shorter while maintaining its regularity. As a rule, this is due to the fact that the second phase of the cycle becomes shorter, as the corpus luteum begins to work less. Such changes are more often observed closer to 40 years. This is not a reason to panic, but simply a reflection that your reproductive system will change as you age, just like you.

Early menopause

This is one of the very common fears of women. In fact, this fear is exaggerated, since early menopause is quite rare. It is mainly caused by rare congenital diseases, rare systemic diseases, consequences of treatment (chemotherapy, radiation therapy for cancer) and other rare conditions. There are situations when, as a result of surgery, a woman’s ovary or part of it is removed. Then menopause may occur earlier due to the fact that there is little tissue left in the ovaries that could support the normal functioning of the reproductive system.

Early menopause As a rule, it is manifested by the cessation of menstruation and the appearance of symptoms of insufficiency of female sex hormones (hot flashes, irritability, tearfulness, insomnia, etc.). There is no prevention of this disease.

Painful periods and PMS

For some reason it is generally accepted that Feeling unwell during menstruation is normal. Presence of pain, nausea, migraines during menstruation is not normal. This condition of painful menstruation is called dysmenorrhea and requires treatment. Even if these phenomena are expressed insignificantly, they can and should be corrected.

Dysmenorrhea it happens like primary(most often at a young age), when it is most likely due to simply the immaturity of the reproductive system and secondary– when it is a reflection of a number of serious gynecological diseases.

The same applies to premenstrual syndrome. In general, the widespread popularization of this syndrome allows women to attribute their sometimes not entirely adequate actions and behavior to manifestations of this syndrome. However, PMS is not a woman’s personality trait., which everyone has to put up with. PMS is a disease, which has incompletely studied causes, a whole list of symptoms and specific treatment measures. Manifestations of PMS can and should be corrected. Taking monthly illness for granted in modern conditions is wrong. If you have such problems, consult a doctor.

How it all ends

Decline of the reproductive system usually occurs in the same way as its formation. Menstruation becomes irregular and there is a tendency to be delayed. This is due to the same reasons as in the beginning.

The ovaries respond less well to stimuli from the brain. It is not possible to grow follicles that could reach ovulation - accordingly, the cycle is delayed. If ovulation occurs periodically, the resulting corpus luteum does not work well. Because of this, periods either start earlier or, on the contrary, are delayed for a long time. Eventually your periods will stop, and if you haven't had them for more than 6 months, you should see a doctor. Based on hormonal tests and ultrasound, the onset of menopause can be assumed.

Sometimes there are cases when menstruation stops for a long time, and according to tests and ultrasound, the onset of menopause is expected. This can be especially frightening for young women. However, this may only be a temporary period, and menstruation may resume on its own, for example after proper rest.

Thus, the myth that 28 days is the norm and everything that differs from this figure is pathology has been debunked. The main thing in the menstrual cycle is its regularity, and the duration of the cycle can fluctuate over a wide range.

And yet, there is a simple rule: if you regularly undergo preventive examinations with a gynecologist (at least once a year), if any violations appear, do not put off an “unpleasant” trip to the gynecologist - then you will almost never have serious gynecological problems.

It is fraught with many mysteries. And it can sometimes be very difficult for an ordinary person to deal with all of them. 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 are 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's menstrual cycle begin to form? 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. The external manifestation of 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. 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 the reproductive organs of the 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 of 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 made 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, a dominant follicle is formed, 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 (the 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, the cervical mucus dries out and 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 an unwanted pregnancy. After all, as everyone knows, there are favorable and dangerous days of the 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 own calculations, but to additionally protect yourself with 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, it is enough to trace the basal temperature graph (as you know, this is a measurement of 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 of the menstrual cycle (not only in 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.

Reasons

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 activity.
4. Acclimatization. If a woman changes her waist belt - from warm to cold or vice versa, the body turns on its protective forces, which can affect the female cycle.
5. If a woman’s menstrual cycle is disrupted, the cause may be hormonal imbalance (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 the 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 begins her period in the middle of her cycle or has any other problem, she must seek medical advice. After all, this can be the cause of quite serious problems with the body. What indicators will the gynecologist use to diagnose?

1. Survey (obtaining complete information about the possible causes of 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 (determination of pathological changes in tissues, as well as search for possible neoplasms).
4. Hysteroscopy (examination of the patient’s uterine walls using a special instrument).

Only a combination of these methods for studying the patient’s condition can provide a complete picture of the causes of her illness, which will lead to the correct diagnosis and the prescription of competent 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 between the woman's bloody discharge.

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 with women’s health arise, 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 that 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 the death of a 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 all harmful foods from food, pay more attention to the consumption of fresh vegetables and fruits, as well as cereals. A woman should also get enough rest: at least seven hours of sleep at night, breaks from work, physical activity and being in the fresh air - only these nuances can correct the female cycle with minor disruptions.

Treatment by a doctor

If a girl still needs to seek medical help, treatment will be prescribed based on the reasons that led to the 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. If there is heavy bleeding, the woman can be given donor blood or plasma.
4. Surgical intervention is possible (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.

Each representative of the fairer sex has an individual menstrual cycle and has its own specific duration. Determining the day of ovulation is especially important for couples who are planning to conceive a child. When does ovulation occur if the cycle is 35 days.

On average, a normal menstrual cycle lasts 28-30 days. Don’t worry if the cycle lasts 35-40 days, we are not talking about pathology, but perhaps it’s just a feature of the body.

Reasons

It is important to monitor your regularity on a monthly basis. A woman determines the duration of her menstrual cycle independently; she can keep a special diary or calendar. With the advent of numerous programs, data can be entered into the phone, which is very convenient and will never be lost.

Factors that may influence menstrual irregularities:

• neuroses and stressful situations;
• hormonal disorders;
• gynecological diseases of an infectious or inflammatory nature;
• depression;
• chronic diseases of the body;
• excess body weight or, conversely, sudden weight loss;
• endocrine pathologies;
• use of antidepressants and hormonal drugs.

A constant cycle of 35 days is not a deviation from the norm. You should worry when a woman notices a delay in menstruation and changes in the duration of menstruation. These signs require contacting a specialist, as they may indicate a malfunction in the female body.

Ovulation

If the cycle is 35 days, when does ovulation occur? A very common question from women who are faced with the phenomenon of late ovulation.

Most women know that fertilization is possible in the middle of the cycle; it is during this period that the egg is released. Therefore, with a 35-day cycle, ovulation will occur on days 19-22 from the start of the cycle. But these days can also vary depending on the woman’s condition and the presence of certain factors.

The main factors that influence the onset of ovulation:

• the beginning of menopause;
• stressful situations;
• hormonal imbalances;
• the period after the birth of the child.

The following will help determine which day will be more favorable for conception and fertilization:

• Ovulation test. It can be purchased at a pharmacy. It is carried out in the morning, when the greatest amount of the hormone is in the urine. Instructions for correctly performing the test are included in the package.
• Measuring basal body temperature and maintaining a graph. The temperature rises to 37 degrees, on normal days around 36.6. How to measure basal temperature correctly can be found in a separate article or asked a question during a visit to a gynecologist.
• Analysis of urine and saliva for luteinizing hormone, which is determined specifically during the ovulatory period;
• Ultrasound to determine the growth and development of the follicle and the estimated day of its rupture and release of the egg.
• Listen to your body; on the days of ovulation, women notice swelling of the mammary glands, soreness, nagging pain in the lower abdomen, copious clear discharge, and increased sexual desire. Based on these signs, one can judge the onset of ovulatory syndrome. For each representative of the fair sex they occur individually.

The days for ultrasound and tests must be agreed upon with the doctor. Ovulation should occur 2 weeks before the start of the next period, and if the egg is released late, the body does not have time to prepare for pregnancy. Ovulation itself lasts approximately 24 hours and if fertilization does not occur during this period, it dies. Further conception is possible only in the next cycle.

Symptoms that require you to see a doctor:

• anovulation occurred more than 2 times;
• the rise in basal temperature occurs towards the end of the cycle, and not in the middle, as expected;
• temperature fluctuations throughout the cycle;
• after menstruation, the temperature does not decrease, but remains at an elevated level.

Gynecologists have such a definition that a cycle of less than 22 days and more than 40 is considered a deviation from the norm and requires clarification of the cause. Therefore, it is important to monitor the duration of your cycle monthly and, if any deviations or concerns occur, contact a specialist.

The article will tell you how to determine or calculate ovulation at home.

A woman who knows about her ovulation can allow herself to get pregnant faster or, on the contrary, protect herself from an unplanned pregnancy.

How to calculate ovulation for conception?

You can determine ovulation in the following ways:

• According to ultrasound. The procedure will not tell you the exact date of release of the egg, but it will definitely tell you about the absence or approach of ovulation
• By monthly
• By basal temperature
• According to the ovulation test
• Based on how you feel and body signals

IMPORTANT: Read more about each item below

How to calculate ovulation by menstruation?

There is a common myth that ovulation occurs on the 14th day of the menstrual cycle, i.e. on the 14th day from the start of the next menstruation. This statement is truly a myth, since the day of ovulation directly depends on the length of the menstrual cycle.

The menstrual cycle consists of two phases: the follicular and corpus luteum phase.

The second phase more or less has a general duration of 12-16 days. As you can see, the average number is really 14. But the countdown does not start from the first day of menstruation, but from the last day of the cycle, i.e. days before the start of the next period.

When is ovulation in a 21 day cycle?

With a 21-day cycle, ovulation will occur on days 5–9 from the first day of your period.

When is ovulation in a 23-day cycle?

With a 23-day cycle, ovulation will occur on days 7–11 from the first day of menstruation.

When is ovulation in a 24 day cycle?

With a 24-day cycle, ovulation will occur on days 8-12 from the first day of your period.

When is ovulation in a 25 day cycle?

With a 25-day cycle, ovulation will occur on days 9–13 from the first day of menstruation.

When is ovulation in a 26-day cycle?

With a 26-day cycle, ovulation will occur on days 10-14 from the first day of menstruation.

When is ovulation in a 27 day cycle?

When is ovulation in a 28 day cycle?

With a 28-day cycle, ovulation will occur on days 12–16 from the first day of your period.

When is ovulation in a 29 day cycle?

With a 29-day cycle, ovulation will occur on days 13–17 from the first day of menstruation.

When is ovulation in a 30 day cycle?

With a 30-day cycle, ovulation will occur on days 14–18 from the first day of your period.

When does ovulation occur in a 31 day cycle?

With a 31-day cycle, ovulation will occur on days 15-19 from the first day of menstruation.

When is ovulation in a 32-day cycle?

With a 32-day cycle, ovulation will occur on days 16-20 from the first day of menstruation.

When does ovulation occur in a 33-day cycle?

With a 33-day cycle, ovulation will occur on days 17–21 from the first day of menstruation.

When is ovulation in a 34-day cycle?

With a 34-day cycle, ovulation will occur on days 18-22 from the first day of menstruation.

When is ovulation in a 35 day cycle?

With a 35-day cycle, ovulation will occur on days 19-23 from the first day of menstruation.

When is ovulation in a 36 day cycle?

With a 36-day cycle, ovulation will occur on days 20–24 from the first day of your period.

When is ovulation in a 37 day cycle?

With a 37-day cycle, ovulation will occur on days 21–25 from the first day of your period.

When is ovulation in a 38 day cycle?

With a 38-day cycle, ovulation will occur on days 22–26 from the first day of menstruation.

When is ovulation in a 39 day cycle?

With a 39-day cycle, ovulation will occur on days 23–27 from the first day of menstruation.

When is ovulation in a 40 day cycle?

With a 40-day cycle, ovulation will occur on days 24-28 from the first day of menstruation.

IMPORTANT: A woman’s body is a delicate matter, so the numbers may, although rarely, vary

How to calculate ovulation with an irregular cycle?

• You cannot calculate the day of ovulation using your periods. After all, to calculate, you need to know the length of the cycle, but you cannot know this with an irregular cycle
• According to the ovulation test. The first problem with this method is that it is difficult to guess on what day to take the test. The second problem is that the test can show a false positive result. This is explained by the fact that cycle failure often indicates hormonal problems in the body. And if hormones are not produced according to standards, then the production of the hormone in larger quantities than expected can provoke a false test reaction

• According to symptoms. This method also works for irregular periods. More information about the method can be found below.

• Ultrasound. You can do an ultrasound, but with a 45-day cycle, you will have to attend many ultrasounds, tracking the dynamics of follicle growth. And this will cost you a pretty penny

• Measuring basal temperature is a fairly effective method for irregular cycles. But you should first make a chart of your basal temperature for 3 months, noting the exact readings every day. This will allow you to understand what temperature jump occurs during ovulation in your body. Read more about basal temperature during ovulation and conception below and in the article

How to calculate your ovulation cycle?

To create an ovulation cycle, you should record your cycle duration for 6 months. Based on the results, make the following calculations:

• Subtract 11 from the longest cycle
• Subtract 18 from the shortest cycle
• The period between the received days and will be the most likely for the onset of ovulation

Example.

The longest cycle was 36 days. Do simple calculations: 36-11=25 day of the cycle.

The shortest cycle was 28 days. 28-18=10 day of the menstrual cycle.

This means that the most likely period for the onset of ovulation and conception in a particular woman is the interval between the 10th and 26th day of the cycle. That is, there are 16 probable days for it.

Ovulation test

Detailed information about ovulation tests is presented in the article

Basal temperature during ovulation

Basal temperature readings are one of the methods for determining the onset of ovulation. But one measurement will not be enough for you, since each woman will have her own indicators:

• In order for the information to be reliable, you need to make a graph of basal temperature for the last three months
• You need to measure your temperature every day at the same time (read how to measure basal temperature correctly in the next section)
• After 3 months, make a chart from the first day of the cycle to the last for each month
• During the first phase of the cycle, the basal temperature will be below 37 C
• Then you will see a decrease of several degrees (you may not notice this short period)
• After which there will be a sharp jump
• This will be a signal about the onset of ovulation
• This temperature is elevated and will remain until the onset of the next cycle or will increase during pregnancy.

When the system may fail:

• Woman taking hormonal drugs
• Woman taking other strong medications
• The woman drank alcohol
• Disorders in the body: failure of the hormonal system, women's problems
• The rules for measuring basal temperature were violated (read more about them in the next section of this article)
• Climate change

IMPORTANT: If in any month the temperature does not rise above 37 C, do not worry. This can happen 1-2 times a year. This is called the anovulatory cycle, i.e. cycle without ovulation

Signals to see a doctor:

• Anovulatory cycle occurred more than twice
• Basal temperature rises only towards the end of the cycle, and not during the expected period of ovulation
• The temperature rises and falls throughout the cycle
• If after the onset of menstruation the temperature has not returned to the lower levels, but continues to remain high

IMPORTANT: All information provided will be valid only if the basal temperature is correctly measured (read more below)

Measuring basal temperature to determine ovulation

In order for temperature measurement to be practical, you must comply clearly and strictly rules for measuring temperature:

• Take measurements rectally
• Take your temperature early in the morning while lying in bed. The best time is 7 am
• Use a mercury thermometer
• 5 hours before the measurement you should sleep peacefully
• Place the thermometer next to you so as not to make any body movements. Don’t even shake off the thermometer, prepare it in advance
• Take the measurement for 5-10 minutes
• Take out the thermometer, holding it by its tip. Otherwise you may affect the temperature
• If you make a schedule, then measurements should be carried out at the same time, plus or minus a maximum of 30 minutes

Pain before ovulation

Pain before ovulation can be:

• In the chest area
• In the abdominal area

Chest pain.

Breast pain before ovulation is triggered by a surge of hormones as the body prepares for conception. Pain does not occur often; discomfort occurs more often. This is not a reason to go to the doctor unless they last for a long time.

Stomach ache.

The pain is concentrated in the area of ​​the ovary, in which the cell matures and comes out. Every month you may feel pain from different sides. The pain should not be severe. If they are so strong that it is difficult for you to walk or you lose consciousness, consult a doctor immediately. If the pain is not severe, tolerable and only continues during the ovulation period, then there is nothing to worry about, because this is a normal physiological process.

IMPORTANT: Not every woman feels pain. But if you feel severe pain, or fever, headache, vomiting, dizziness, or if the pain continues for a long time, consult a doctor

Discharge before ovulation

Discharge before ovulation increases significantly. This is explained physiologically and should not scare you.

In addition to the increase in quantity, you may also notice a change in the consistency of the discharge:

• As a rule, discharge before ovulation has the appearance and consistency of raw egg white
• Color can be white, yellow, pink

IMPORTANT: Discharge cannot be one sign of ovulation. Compare this sign with other more accurate ones

How many days does ovulation last?

Ovulation lasts, according to various sources, from 12 to 48 hours. That is, this is the period when the egg is viable and ready for fertilization.

If you have set yourself the goal of determining when ovulation occurs in your body, then you should choose the most accurate methods, or a combination of less accurate ones.

Video: How to determine the day of ovulation?

Each woman's body is unique and works very individually. A variety of processes that occur in it can also affect the duration of the cycle. Therefore, if your cycle is 35-38 days, then there is no reason to worry. After all, the main thing is not the duration, but the regularity of the process.

In medicine, even one-time deviations in cycle duration within 5-7 days are considered the norm. However, if you observe such “deviations” in yourself from month to month, then most likely this indicates the presence of some pathologies in the body.

What affects the disruption of the menstrual cycle? Let's look at the most common factors:

In general, a cycle lasting 35 days is an absolutely normal cycle, and there is no need to worry about this. It’s another matter if you observe sharp fluctuations in your cycle. This is a serious reason to visit a doctor, but we will talk about this below.

When does the ovulatory phase begin?

The menstrual cycle consists of two phases: in the first, the egg matures in the ovary, after which ovulation occurs - the release of a mature cell from the ovary. Then the second phase begins - the egg, having left the ovary, moves through the fallopian tube. As a rule, the second phase lasts 14-15 days. Therefore, with a 35-day cycle, ovulation occurs on days 20-21. But these are fairly average data.

In reality, the length of the cycle is influenced by many different factors. And calculating the onset of ovulation is sometimes quite difficult. Late (or early) ovulation may be due to:

• Infectious disease (especially of the genitourinary system).
• Approaching menopause.
• Postpartum period.
• Abortion, miscarriage.
• Regular depression and stress.
• Malfunction of the hormonal system.

Most accurate You can find out at what point ovulation occurs during a long cycle in the following ways:

How long does the ovulatory phase last?

When planning a pregnancy (or to “insure” against unwanted conception), it is extremely important to know not only the time of the onset of ovulation, but also its duration.

In the menstrual cycle, regardless of the duration of the cycle itself, the ovulation period ranges from 24 to 48 hours (again, everything is individual!). During this time, the egg, ready for fertilization, leaves the ovary and then moves along the fallopian tube to the uterus. Upon fertilization, it will attach to the wall of the uterus and pregnancy will occur. If fertilization does not occur, menstruation and a new cycle begin.

What pathologies can a long monthly period indicate?

If your cycle is regular, everything works without failures, like a Swiss watch, then you can exhale - there is no talk of pathologies. Most likely, this is just your individual feature. But there are also violations, the presence of which should cause you concern:

The reasons why the menstrual cycle may be disrupted are very different:

• Already existing diseases (endometriosis, pathology of the ovaries, adrenal glands, history of abortion and curettage of the uterine cavity, oncology, impaired hemostasis and much more).
• Alcohol abuse, poor diet, stress, depression.
• Medicines taken (anticoagulants, hormones, etc.).

In what cases should you urgently consult a doctor?

If you discover the following types of menstrual irregularities, you should know that you urgently need to consult a gynecologist! Do not delay visiting your doctor, as these symptoms indicate serious problems in the body.

For example, with the following signs of decreased menstruation, you should immediately seek help from a specialist:

• Scanty menstrual flow.
• Menstruation lasting up to 2 days.
• The interval between menstruation is more than 5–8 weeks.
• Menzies is observed up to 2–4 times a year.
• No menstruation for 6 months or more.

Signs of heavy menstruation:

• Menstruation became more frequent.
• The amount of menstrual flow has increased sharply.
• Prolonged bleeding is observed, occurring regularly with an interval of less than 21 days.

Other signs:

• Bleeding starting more than a year after menopause.
• Acyclic bleeding not accompanied by endometrial rejection (metrorrhagia).
• Intermenstrual bleeding (occurring in the middle of the cycle, between menstruation).
• Painful menstruation (algomenorrhea).

After a thorough medical examination of the woman - a medical history, gynecological examination, ultrasound examination, tests, smears, and sometimes more complex procedures such as magnetic resonance imaging, treatment can begin.

• Treat concomitant diseases.
• In case of bleeding, hemostatic therapy is provided.
• If necessary, surgical treatment: curettage of the uterine cavity, endometrial ablation, removal of the uterus.
• Hormone therapy.

Take care of yourself and your health! Trust only proven, qualified specialists. Remember that self-medication, especially using various folk methods, is unacceptable! It is even dangerous for a woman’s life.

If you have menstrual irregularities, seek help from a medical facility as soon as possible. Don’t brush off problems, it can cost you a lot: lead to various inflammatory processes, endocrine system disorders, infertility, and in the worst case, death.

Visit a female doctor, even if nothing particularly bothers you- Go for preventive examinations at least twice a year. After all, diseases are easier to prevent than to cure. Don't forget that your health is in your hands!