Are you angry again? Or so depressed that you cry over the smallest thing? Even though you are consciously trying to control it, you are a bit powerless to do anything about it. Even though you know it’s not really your fault and that your hormones are to blame, how exactly do these hormones change in a cyclical manner?
Trivia 1: Menstrual Cycle Digital Archive
1. The average woman will have 400 menstrual periods in her lifetime
2. The average menstrual cycle is 29.5 days long, but 21 to 35 days are normal
3. The duration of a normal menstrual cycle varies from 2 to 8 days
4.With age, women’s periods become shorter, most women around 35 years old have a cycle of 28 days
Tip 2: Calculation of menstrual cycle
1.The menstrual cycle should include the time of menstruation, not only the time of clean menstruation
2. The first day of bleeding is the beginning of the menstrual cycle, and the interval between the first day of two consecutive menstrual periods is called the menstrual cycle
I. Day 1 – 7: Menstrual cycle – you are overly sensitive to external reactions
In women, as pregnancy does not occur, under the regulation of pituitary hormones, the secretion of estrogen and progesterone in the ovaries decreases, the small arteries supplying blood to the endometrium contract spasmodically and then rupture, and the endometrium becomes ischemic, necrotic and sheds, so it manifests as menstrual flow, a process that lasts about 2 – 8 days …… This process actually This process is actually a very delicate adjustment of the organism itself, which allows the endometrium that has not been fertilized to renew in time and not to undergo abnormal changes like cancer due to overproliferation. When you have your period, you feel extra slim and fit because your ovarian hormone levels drop and your urine output increases slightly compared to normal days. At the same time, your skin is becoming finer and more tender day by day.
Doctor’s special tip: During these days, you will be extremely tired and prone to cold and flu. According to some recent surveys, 28% of women are more likely to get sick during their period than on weekdays, and about more than 70% of women feel the pain of menstrual cramps, accompanied by stomach cramps and diarrhea. While going through this period, your body’s anti-coagulation system is in a state of being activated, it is important to keep warm and rested, while avoiding possible bleeding situations, such as surgery, blood donation …… you should of course also stagger your gynecological exams.
Second, day 8 – 11: early follicular period (after menstruation) – your body and mind are starting to get ready for married life
Just after menstruation, ovarian estrogen production will increasingly resume. Estrogen is the basis for stimulating the growth of the endometrium, which gradually repairs the superficial lining that was stripped off during menstruation and encourages it to thicken again, making the blood vessels increasingly rich and full of blood. If there is a time of the month when you feel in good shape, then this is it. You may want to schedule challenging work to be done during this time, and it may bring some surprises to yourself and others. What’s even more gratifying is that even if you don’t get enough sleep, your skin can still be incredibly rosy and glowing these days.
Special doctor’s tip: Estrogen does not stimulate a woman’s sexual urges, but it makes the vagina moist and elastic, and circulates the blood of the reproductive system towards the vagina, providing it with a sufficient amount of blood to complete the couple’s life in preparation for pregnancy. This is the most suitable period for a full body check-up, including a pap smear for gynecological examination and a breast self-examination. If you need gynecological treatment or surgery, such as vaginal medication, cervical phototherapy or electrolysis, tubal lavage, etc., this is the most appropriate time.
Day 12 – 14: Late follicular phase (before ovulation) – your happy mood is written on your face
By this time, your estrogen levels are gradually reaching their peak and follicles are maturing. The high levels of estrogen have perfected the proliferation of the endometrium and everything is ready for the expected fertilization of the egg. At the same time, your cervical mucus will begin to thin, making it easier for the sperm to pass through the uterus to reach the fallopian tubes and unite with the egg. At this time, your cheerfulness is written on your face and the joy is felt by those around you. During this period you are very eloquent and your senses are sharpened.
Your body is ready to conceive, so you may find that your sexual desire is much stronger than usual. If you are using the safe period method of contraception, this is the most problematic period because the follicular phase is variable in length and ovulation can occur at any time. It is recommended that you take some special measures for this relatively “dangerous” phase.
Days 15 – 17: Ovulation – your sexual desire will become uncontrollable
At the moment of ovulation, the egg “breaks out” of the follicle, is “captured” by the fallopian tube and moves within it towards the uterine cavity. Once the egg is expelled, the empty follicle immediately collapses, bleeds, and forms a hematopoietic body in which the blood is absorbed to form the secretory corpus luteum. During this process, the corpus luteum begins to secrete progesterone, which has the effect of supporting pregnancy.
During the menstrual cycle, a woman’s body temperature varies from high to low, often being slightly lower in the first half of the menstrual cycle and slightly higher in the second half. In normal women, the body temperature can increase by 0.3 to 0.5°C after ovulation. People usually check the change in basal body temperature (by taking the temperature before waking up after a long sleep of more than 6-15 hours and before any activity, recording it on the basal body temperature sheet, day by day, and drawing a curve) to determine whether ovulation and pregnancy are occurring. But sometimes it is not accurate.
Special note from your doctor: You are at the peak of your fertile physiology, so your libido will become uncontrollable, so take the opportunity to be satisfied. You will also feel positive and confident, thanks to the extra androgens still circulating in your body, because the main stimulus for a woman’s libido comes from the androgens produced by the ovaries and adrenal glands (in smaller quantities than those produced by the male testicles). Androgen levels can reach their peak during ovulation, and a woman’s sex drive is strongest during this period.
V. Days 18 – 23: Early luteal phase (after ovulation) – now you are in a state of relative equilibrium
After ovulation, the amount of estrogen then decreases, as the corpus luteum still maintains high levels to continue to secrete progesterone, so that the endometrium remains rich in blood and nutrients, and further thickens. At this time, the endometrial “soil” is still rich and fertile for pregnancy, so that the possible pregnancy in the early stages of the “seeding” does not ” The “soil” of the endometrium is still fertile and suitable for “pregnancy”, so that the possible pregnancy does not occur in the early “seeding” period. During this period, your physical and psychological condition is in a relatively stable state and you will not feel particularly emotional or depressed. However, as the progesterone gradually increases and begins to take effect, your body’s state will begin to become more and more unstable.
Doctor’s special tip: The “plateau” period is coming, when you can start physical training, skin care program, etc., you can often achieve twice the result with half the effort. Do not do mammograms at this time. This is due to the fact that the breast follicles are fully developed under the effect of progesterone, and breast examinations at this time can sometimes reveal nervous nodules, which in most cases will subside at the start of the next period.
VI. Days 24 – 28: Late Luteal Phase (before menstruation again) – you become irritable, tense, and suicidal
You are coming to the end of this cycle, and unless conception has occurred, the corpus luteum gradually shrinks, the production of estrogen and progesterone in the ovaries gradually decreases, and the thickness of the endometrium decreases until it disintegrates to form a new period. These are the days when women are at their lowest emotional ebb, prone to temper tantrums, irritability, nervousness, mood swings and seven times more suicidal than usual.
If you are sensitive to this change in yourself, make a conscious effort to schedule more relaxed tasks, such as avoiding decisions on major events during this period. Not only does your mood go into a slump, but your skin also starts to show conditions: rough skin and acne breakouts. Also, you feel bloated and fat due to the amount of water that is retained in your body.
Special note from the doctor: during this phase you may experience premenstrual tension: depression, irritability, agitation, anxiety, headache, lack of concentration and neglect of social activities; your body may experience breast swelling, abdominal distension and edema in the extremities. To relieve this discomfort, you need to take care to consume less salt-heavy foods during this phase and eat more soy products, grains, fresh fruits and vegetables, which will help to keep your body’s internal environment stable. In addition, this is a time of increased vaginal acidity and a high risk of fungal growth, so you must be careful to prevent fungal infections, for example by wearing comfortable cotton underwear.