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The menstrual cycle is the body’s natural biological process for preparing for a possible pregnancy. The menstrual cycle starts on the first day of a period and ends when the next period begins. The menstrual cycle lasts for 28 days on average, however, it can range from 21 to 35 days in healthy individuals. The cycle involves hormonal changes that regulate:
In case the pregnancy doesn’t occur, the uterine lining sheds resulting in a period. Understanding the menstrual cycle is critical in order to track fertility and manage reproductive health.
Symptoms of periods may vary from person to person, additionally, the intensity of these symptoms may also vary. Some of the most common symptoms include:
Other signs/symptoms include mood changes, trouble sleeping, headaches, food cravings, acne, etc. These symptoms may persist throughout the menstrual cycle and usually appear one to two days prior to the start of the period.
A 7 to 10 days delay in a period is considered normal if pregnancy is ruled out. The delay can be associated with various factors like stress, sudden weight changes, excessive exercise, or hormonal fluctuations. However, if the period is delayed for more than 10 days, it might indicate an underlying issue/condition including:Â
To address the delay and determine the underlying cause, consulting a gynaecologist is recommended.
There are various conditions that can delay the period. The most common ones are stress and pregnancy (if sexually active). Practicing relaxation techniques like meditation, and yoga, eating a healthy diet, and exercising regularly can help regulate the cycle.
The period can be delayed due to various reasons including:
Additionally, medical conditions like PCOS, and thyroid dysfunction may also cause delays. Consulting a gynaecologist is essential to identify and treat the cause/condition behind the delayed period.
The menstrual cycle usually lasts between 21 and 35 days. The bleeding phase lasts between 2-7 days. However, the duration can vary slightly from month to month and is influenced by factors like age, lifestyle, and health conditions.
There are 4 phases in the menstrual cycle, including:
Phase where uterine lining sheds leading to bleeding.
The uterine lining thickens & hormones stimulate egg maturation
The mature egg is released from the ovary.
The body starts to prepare for pregnancy. (If fertilisation does not occur hormone level drops)
A period that lasts between 2-7 days is considered a normal period. A normal period has a normal blood flow and occurs every 21–35 days. The common symptoms that occur during a normal period include mild cramps, bloating, fatigue, etc.Â
Irregular periods may be caused by various lifestyle factors including:
Also, individuals approaching menopause often experience irregular periods.
Period pain can be managed with home remedies and medications. Home remedies include:
There is no guaranteed way to get periods immediately, however, there are few natural methods that may help, including consuming food that promote uterine contractions like papaya, pineapple, parsley, etc. Additionally, exercising and managing stress can also help regulate cycle.
Yes, stress can significantly affect the menstrual cycle. Stress can disrupt the balance of hormones like estrogen, cortisol, etc. Stress if combined with unhealthy lifestyle habits may also delay or even skip periods entirely. Techniques like mindfulness, yoga, exercises, etc. can help reduce stress.
During periods certain things that worsen the symptoms should be avoided, including:
PMS – Premenstrual Syndrome. It refers to physical and emotional symptoms that usually occur 1 to 2 weeks before a period. PMS is caused by hormonal fluctuations and can cause symptoms like:
The most common period symptoms include abdominal cramps, back pain, mood swings, etc. The symptoms and the intensity of the symptoms vary between individuals. Acne breakouts, breast tenderness, and food cravings are also typical at this time.
Having small blood clots during the heavy flow day of the period is considered normal. However, if there are frequent large blood clots or heavy bleeding that lasts for several days may indicate other medical conditions like fibroids, endometriosis, etc.
The chances of getting pregnant during periods are low, though the sperm in the body can survive up to 5 days, and if the period cycle is short or ovulation occurs early, there’s a possibility of conception.
Period pain can be managed with a combination of:Â
Additionally, using a heating pad can help relax muscles and reduce cramps. Yoga, stretching, and other light exercises can improve circulation and reduce discomfort. Taking recommended over-the-counter painkillers can help with severe cramp pain.
Skipping periods occasionally is normal and can be associated with factors like stress, illness, over exercising, sudden weight change, etc. However, if you are experiencing frequent period skip it may indicate an underlying medical condition like PCOS or thyroid dysfunction.
A period that lasts for more than 7 days and has excessive blood loss, or requires frequent pad changes is considered a heavy period. Also referred to as menorrhagia, it can have symptoms like fatigue, large blood clots, anaemia, etc. Heavy periods can be caused due to various factors like hormonal imbalances, fibroids, or uterine polyps.
Consulting a doctor may be required in cases of:
Yes, exercise and diet can significantly impact the menstrual cycle. Over exercising can disrupt the hormonal balance, leading to irregular or missed periods. While light/moderate exercises can help with alleviating period pain and discomfort. Additionally, a nutrition-rich diet reduces symptoms like fatigue and cramps.
Maintaining menstrual hygiene is crucial to prevent infections. Changing menstrual pads, tampons, etc every 6 to 8 hours helps avoid odour and bacterial growth. Washing the genital area with warm water helps maintain the PH balance. Maintaining hygiene promotes overall reproductive health.
Painful periods are not necessarily a sign of good fertility. Also known as dysmenorrhea, severe pain during periods can indicate underlying medical conditions like endometriosis or pelvic inflammatory disease, etc. Certain conditions that lead to painful periods can even affect pregnancy and should not be ignored.
