The menstrual cycle reflects not only the state of women's health, but also helps in calculating the so-called "dangerous" and "safe" days. The calendar method of contraception Contraceptive Methods: Ten myths about contraception in the mirror of facts Of course, it is not the most reliable way to prevent pregnancy, but they are quite successfully used by many women. Unfortunately, not all women know how to calculate the menstrual cycle, but in vain. Properly designed menstrual cycle will not only prevent pregnancy, but also to determine the most favorable days for conception. But it should be remembered that the method of calculation of the menstrual cycle is not suitable for all women and does not protect against sexually transmitted diseases by.

What is the menstrual cycle

The menstrual cycle is translated from Latin means "moon" cycle. In fact, the menstrual cycle is a periodic change in a woman's body (which are influenced by sex hormones) which aim to conceive. The length of the menstrual cycle is different for every woman and varies from 21do 35 days. A classic is considered to twenty-eight day menstrual cycle. Each menstrual cycle ends menstruation if fertilization has not occurred.

The first day of the cycle is considered the first day of menstruation, ie the whole duration is calculated from the first day of the last menstrual period to the first day of the next.

Phases

The entire menstrual cycle is divided into three phases:

• First (follicular) phase

Follicular phase flows under the influence of female hormones - estrogen and begins on the first day of the menstrual cycle The days of the menstrual cycle: Four phases . The first phase takes place in follicle maturation of the egg and the endometrium (lining of the uterus) begins to grow rapidly. The duration of the first phase ranging from two to twenty-seven days, on average fourteen days.

• The second (ovulatory) phase

Ovulation phase (an average of the fourteenth - sixteenth day) is characterized by the rupture of the dominant (main) exit the follicle and mature egg into the abdominal cavity, where it enters the fallopian tube. Ovulatory phase flows under the influence of the pituitary luteinizing hormone and lasts about three days. After ovulation has occurred egg remains viable for 24 hours (which is important when calculating the favorable days for conception). However, it should be remembered that the sperm remain active for three to seven days.

• The third (luteal) phase

Third, luteal phase covers the gap between ovulation Ovulation - How to determine as accurately as possible?   and the first day of menstruation. The duration of the luteal or secretory phase constant at thirteen - fourteen days. At the site of the ruptured follicle forms the corpus luteum, which begins to synthesize progesterone Progesterone - norm and pathology . Under the influence of progesterone the endometrium prepares for implantation of a fertilized egg. In addition, other progesterone inhibits maturation of follicles. In the case of conception occurred, progesterone is "responsible" for maintaining pregnancy. If fertilization has occurred, the progesterone level drops and begins the rejection of the functional layer of the endometrium (menstruation).

How to calculate

In order to properly calculate your menstrual cycle, it is necessary for at least six months to conduct a menstrual calendar, which should mark the beginning and end of each menstrual cycle. On the basis of a menstrual calendar is determined by the shortest and longest cycle. Then, from the first (short) cycle should take eighteen - the result will correspond to the first day of a dangerous period, and the second (long) cycles necessary to take eleven - that number will be considered as the last fertile (dangerous) afternoon.

For example:

• The shortest menstrual cycle is 28 days, it turns out: 28 - 18 = 10 (the tenth day of the cycle corresponds to the beginning of the fertile period).
• The longest menstrual cycle is 32 days, it turns out: 32 - 11 = 21 (twenty-first day corresponds to the end of the fertile period).

Anna Sozinova

Bleeding from the genitals during pregnancy, a woman often brings confusion, and she does not know for a long time about the occurrence of pregnancy. These are sometimes called menstrual bleeding, but can be menstruating during pregnancy?

What are the phases of the menstrual cycle is a woman

The normal menstrual cycle a woman starts from the first day of menstruation and lasts 21 to 35 days. The first phase of the menstrual cycle does not always have the same length, but on average it takes up the middle of the cycle. At this time, under the influence of pituitary hormones occurs oocyte maturation in the follicle (bubble) of the ovary. At the same time the walls of the follicle occurs rising synthesis of female sex hormones estrogen. This process may have a different length of each month - hence the different duration of the cycle. Simultaneously, under the influence of estrogen increases in the volume of the mucous membrane of the uterus.

Once the amount of estrogen reaches a maximum (which means that the egg is matured) signal of this goes to the brain and causes a change in the secretion of pituitary hormones. The pituitary gland to stimulate the growth stops the egg and produces another hormone that stimulates the release of an egg from the ovary and ovulation Ovulation - How to determine as accurately as possible?   - A second phase of the menstrual cycle. The egg gets first in the abdomen and then into the fallopian tube and moves on her, waiting for fertilization by sperm.

After ovulation begins the third phase of the menstrual cycle. At this time, on the site of the ruptured follicle forms a temporary endocrine gland - the corpus luteum, which secretes progesterone the female sex hormone Progesterone - norm and pathology . Under the influence of progesterone the mucous membrane of the uterus ceases to grow and begins to secrete a secret. If pregnancy does not occur, then it is a signal to the brain and begins a gradual extinction of the corpus luteum. Once the hormonal support is terminated, the mucous membrane of the uterus is torn away, causing menstrual bleeding.

And what happens at conception?

If the egg and sperm met the conception occurred, it continues to move in the fallopian tube toward the uterus. A week later, the fertilized egg enters the uterus and is embedded in the mucosa. Once fertilization has occurred, this signal goes to the brain and increases the hormonal support of pregnancy: the corpus luteum begins to produce more progesterone. The main task of progesterone - to suppress the reduction of muscles of the uterus, which can cause abortion.

Thus, it becomes clear that pregnancy and menstruation - incompatible concepts. After all, if pregnancy occurs, lining of the uterus is not rejected, hence the bleeding can not be. If rejection of the mucosa followed by bleeding yet started, it has the name is not menstruating and miscarriage Miscarriage - can you protect yourself from it? .

Why during pregnancy do occur bleeding

At the beginning of pregnancy, the fertilized egg (embryo) is embedded in the uterine lining, which may be accompanied by a violation of the integrity of a small vial of blood. Such bleeding is not always, and it is so small that a woman can not miss it.

During the first three months the fetus is growing and developing, and it is now possible discharge of portions of the mucous membrane of the uterine wall, which is accompanied by a slight bleeding and spotting. Spotting while there are small, dark brown or red, sometimes accompanied by a slight pain in the abdomen Abdominal pain: when to sound the alarm? . Gradually, the fruit takes up the entire uterus and bleeding usually stops.

This condition does not require special treatment, however, obstetricians in such cases, prescribe drugs - synthetic versions of progesterone in order to further suppress the motor activity of the muscles of the uterus and prevent miscarriage. Sometimes, in order to ensure the safety of pregnancy, an ultrasound study.

Minor bleeding may also occur when injury of the mucous membrane of the vagina and cervix, if in this area there is some pathology, such as erosion or polyp. Injury may poizoyti during gynecological examination or during sexual intercourse. Rarely, however, it is when the bleeding caused by trauma to the malignant tumor.

As though insignificantly any bleeding during pregnancy, it is necessary to inform your doctor immediately as this may be a signal of some complications, such as miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy.

Galina Romanenko