The menstrual cycle, also known as the female menstrual cycle or the menstrual period, is the regular natural change that occurs in the female reproductive system that makes pregnancy possible. During this monthly cycle, changes occur in the reproductive organs, which can affect your entire body, including your mood and energy level. The menstrual cycle begins on the first day of your period and ends on the day before you start your next period (although many women experience lighter bleeding or spotting between periods). The average length of a menstrual cycle is 28 days, but anywhere from 20 to 35 days is considered normal.



5 phases of the menstrual cycle

The menstrual cycle is comprised of 5 phases: menstrual, follicular, ovulation, luteal and menstrual. Throughout a woman’s monthly cycle these phases happen in a set order and are each important for different reasons. Understanding how your body operates on a day-to-day basis can give you insight into ways to maximize your health. Here’s what you need to know about each phase of your cycle Women usually begin menstruating around age 12 or 13 and continue until menopause occurs at an average age of 51.

A woman will have ~450 periods in her lifetime

This number may sound high, but it’s probably closer to the truth than you think. A woman will begin menstruating around age 12 and will continue until she reaches menopause—which can happen anytime between ages 41 and 51. Assuming she has a typical 28-day cycle, she’ll experience approximately 450 periods in her lifetime. That amounts to roughly 5 years worth of periods over an average lifespan. Yikes!

Follicular Phase (Days 1–14)

The beginning of your cycle is marked by a period known as menses or menstruation. For most women, periods will last for three to five days, but they can last up to seven days. The follicular phase lasts between 10 and 14 days on average. During that time, an egg develops inside one of your ovaries. This process is called ovulation. If you’re trying to get pregnant, you should have sex during your fertile window (which falls around day 14). If you’re not trying to conceive, it’s best to use birth control until after ovulation has passed (day 16).

Ovulation Phase (Day 14)

The mucus plug forms in your cervix, signalling that it’s time for your body to release an egg. If you don’t ovulate, no worries! Your cycle will simply continue with a new cycle. However, if you do ovulate, you have less than a 24-hour window of time for sperm and egg to meet up and get busy (aka conception). This is why timing intercourse during your fertile days is so important!

Luteal Phase (Days 15–28)

Also known as the late luteal phase, days 15–28 of your cycle are characterized by your period and symptoms such as cramping and bloating. During these last few days, progesterone levels begin to rise in preparation for the implantation of a fertilized egg. If you have sex during these days, there is a higher chance that you could get pregnant if ovulation occurs during any of these days.

Perimenopause (30–45 years old)

The time leading up to menopause, a woman’s body begins producing irregular cycles and begins going through many hormonal changes. By menopause (40–55 years old), she may experience hot flashes, mood swings, night sweats, insomnia, vaginal dryness and weight gain as a result of water retention. The total number of days in a woman’s menstrual cycle will also increase from 21–35 days by menopause.

Menopause (After 45 years old)

Around age 45, a woman’s ovaries stop releasing eggs and she stops having periods. The pause between menstrual cycles can last for two years or more, which is why many women don’t know they are going through menopause until their period stops completely. If a woman has her uterus removed as part of treatment for cancer or another health condition, she may experience menopause earlier than other women.

Postmenopause (After 5 years of menopause, if menstruation has stopped permanently

 

During a woman’s reproductive years, she undergoes hormonal changes as part of her menstrual cycle. Ovulation usually takes place about 2 weeks before menstruation begins and is signalled by an increase in estrogen levels. Estrogen causes thickening of vaginal tissues, including mucus membranes and lubrication that make it easier for sperm to travel through them to meet up with an egg. This phase lasts from day 1 of the menstrual cycle until ovulation day. Day 1 marks the completion of menstruation.