Stages of the Menstrual Cycle

The menstrual phase is the first stage of the menstrual cycle. It’s also when you get your period.

This phase starts when an egg from the previous cycle isn’t fertilized. Because pregnancy hasn’t taken place, levels of the hormones estrogen and progesterone drop.

The thickened lining of your uterus, which would support a pregnancy, is no longer needed, so it sheds through your vagina. During your period, you release a combination of blood, mucus, and tissue from your uterus.

You may have period symptoms like these:

• cramps (try these home remedies)
• tender breasts
• bloating
• mood swings
• irritability
• headaches
• tiredness
• low back pain

The follicular phase starts on the first day of your period (so there is some overlap with the menstrual phase) and ends when you ovulate.

It starts when the hypothalamus signals your pituitary gland to release follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). This hormone stimulates your ovaries to produce around 5 to 20 small sacs called follicles. Each follicle contains an immature egg.

Only the healthiest egg will eventually mature. (On rare occasions, a female may have two eggs mature.) The rest of the follicles will be reabsorbed into your body.

The maturing follicle sets off a surge in estrogen that thickens the lining of your uterus. This creates a nutrient-rich environment for an embryo to grow.

The average follicular phase lasts for about 16 days. It can range from 11 to 27 days, depending on your cycle.

Rising estrogen levels during the follicular phase trigger your pituitary gland to release luteinizing hormone (LH). This is what starts the process of ovulation.

Ovulation is when your ovary releases a mature egg. The egg travels down the fallopian tube toward the uterus to be fertilized by sperm.

The ovulation phase is the time during your menstrual cycle when you can get pregnant. You can tell that you’re ovulating by symptoms like these:

• a slight rise in basal body temperature
• thicker discharge that has the texture of egg whites

Ovulation happens around day 14 if you have a 28-day cycle — right in the middle of your menstrual cycle. It lasts about 24 hours. After a day, the egg will die or dissolve if it isn’t fertilized.

Did you know?

Because sperm can live up to 5 days, pregnancy can occur as a result of sex 5 days before ovulation.

After the follicle releases its egg, it changes into the corpus luteum. This structure releases hormones, mainly progesterone and some estrogen. The rise in hormones keeps your uterine lining thick and ready for a fertilized egg to implant.

If you do get pregnant, your body will produce human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). This is the hormone pregnancy tests detect. It helps maintain the corpus luteum and keeps the uterine lining thick.

If you don’t get pregnant, the corpus luteum will shrink away and be resorbed. This leads to decreased levels of estrogen and progesterone, which causes the onset of your period. The uterine lining will shed during your period.

During this phase, if you don’t get pregnant, you may experience symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS). These include:

• bloating
• breast swelling, pain, or tenderness
• mood changes
• headache
• weight gain
• changes in sexual desire
• food cravings
• trouble sleeping

The luteal phase lasts for 11 to 17 days. The average length is 14 days.

Every menstrual cycle is different. Some people get their period at the same time each month. Others are more irregular. Some bleed more heavily or for a longer number of days than others.

Your menstrual cycle can also change during certain times of your life. For example, it can get irregular as you get close to menopause.

One way to find out if you’re having any issues with your menstrual cycle is to track your periods. Write down when they start and end. Also record any changes to the amount or number of days you bleed, and whether you have spotting between periods.

Any of these things can alter your menstrual cycle:

• Birth control. The birth control pill may make your periods shorter and lighter. While on some pills, you won’t get a period at all.
• Pregnancy. Your periods should stop during pregnancy. Missed periods are one of the most obvious first signs that you’re pregnant.
• Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). This hormonal imbalance prevents an egg from developing normally in the ovaries. PCOS causes irregular menstrual cycles and missed periods.
• Uterine fibroids. These noncancerous growths in your uterus can make your periods longer and heavier than usual.
• Eating disorders. Anorexia, bulimia, and other eating disorders can disrupt your menstrual cycle and make your periods stop.

Here are a few signs of a problem with your menstrual cycle:

• You’ve skipped periods, or your periods have stopped entirely.
• Your periods are irregular.
• You bleed for more than 7 days.
• Your periods are less than 21 days or more than 35 days apart.
• You bleed between periods (heavier than spotting).

If you have these or other problems with your menstrual cycle or periods, talk with a healthcare professional.

Every menstrual cycle is different. What’s typical for you might not be for someone else.

It’s important to get familiar with your cycle — including when you get your periods and how long they last. Be alert for any changes, and report them to a healthcare professional.