NORMAL MENSTRUATION
Menstruation or 'the period' is defined as the spontaneous, monthly, cyclical, bloody vaginal discharge that represents shedding of the endometrium (inner lining of the uterus) every month. Once shedding is complete, it stops spontaneously. The term 'menstruation' comes from the Greek word ‘men’ meaning month.
Menstruation does not occur during pregnancy and after the menopause.
Menstruation Basics
For women, the menstrual period is one of the basic physiological processes that rule their lives. An increase or decrease in the blood flow, an increase or decrease in the length of the menstrual cycle and midcycle spotting can be a cause of great worry.
Knowledge about the normal female anatomy - both external anatomy as well as internal anatomy, normal length of a period, normal length of a menstrual cycle, how much bleeding is considered average and other basic aspects of menstruation should help to overcome various doubts about the period. Read more...
Ovarian Cycle
The ovarian cycle starts on the first day of the menstrual cycle, which is also the first day of the period. At this time, the levels of all the hormones - estrogen, progesterone , FSH and LH - which are primarily responsible for maintaining menstruation, are at the baseline levels. Read more...
Uterine Cycle
The changes in the uterus during the menstrual cycle is termed the Uterine Cycle. These changes occur in response to estrogen and progesterone secreted by the ovaries during menstruation. The uterine cycle also starts from the first day of the menstrual cycle. Read more...
Cervical Cycle
The changes that occur in the cervix in response to oestrogen and progesterone secreted by the ovaries, is termed the Cervical Cycle of menstruation. These changes are mainly recognised by the changes that occur in the consistency and amount of the cervical mucus. Read more...
Delayed/Late Period
The normal menstrual cycle should be at a duration of 28 plus/minus 7 days. That is, a period may be normally delayed for 7 days beyond the expected date. But, if the delay is more than 35 (28+7) days, then the cause of the delay should be investigated. Read more...
Scanty Menstruation / Period
A menstrual period is called scanty if the duration of flow is less than 2 days. The medical term for less blood flow during a period is 'hypomenorrhoea'. There are various causes of scanty periods, the most common being hormonal imbalance due to lack of regular ovulation. Read more...
Ovulation Bleeding
Some women experience some amount of bleeding or ‘spotting’ of blood ( spotting between periods) in the middle of the cycle between two normal periods. In most cases, this bleeding occurs approximately 14 to 16 days after the last menses at around the time of ovulation. Read more...
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