What should one Expect in a Normal Menstruation Cycle?

Menstruation is also known as a period or monthly, regular discharge of blood and mucosal tissue (known as menses) from the inner lining of the uterus through the vagina.

What is the menstrual cycle?

When periods (menstruation) come regularly, this is called the menstrual cycle. Having regular menstrual cycles is a sign that important parts of your body are working normally. The menstrual cycle provides important body chemicals called hormones, to keep you healthy. It also prepares your body for PREGNANCY each month. A cycle is counted from the first day of 1 period to the first day of the next period. The average menstrual cycle is 28 days long. Cycles can range anywhere from 21 to 35 days in adults and from 21 to 45 days in young. The rise and fall of levels of hormones during the month control the menstrual cycle.

WHAT SHOULD ONE EXPECT IN A NORMAL MENSTRUAL CYCLE?

1. Your menstrual cycle should be between 25-35 days long.

It should be a consistent length each month and should not fluctuate. In other words, if your period lasts 29 days one month, 34 days the next and 26 days the following month, you might be dealing with irregular hormonal fluctuations.

2. When you get your period, the blood should be a bright red color (kind of like cranberry juice).

This is a sign that there is adequate blood flow to your pelvic region and that blood isn’t stagnating in the uterus. By contrast, dark red blood, brown blood or clots may be caused by a sluggish flow and/or poor uterine circulation.

3. Your cervical fluid will change throughout your cycle.

Cervical fluid is one of the most important indicators of healthy, functional ovulation because it changes according to the most dominant hormones in each phase of your cycle.

4. PMS is definitely not the norm.

No matter how many women you know who deal with cravings, mood swings, and other “typical” symptoms each month, remember that PMS is not the norm. Yup, you read that right!

In fact, physical and emotional PMS symptoms like bloating, breast pain and swelling, mood swings, anxiety, cramps and acne are usually manifestations of an imbalance between estrogen, progesterone, testosterone and cortisol

5. You should only bleed during your period and not at other times in your cycle.

Irregular bleeding, also known as “breakthrough bleeding” outside of your period days – during your luteal phase – could indicate low progesterone. This is the hormone that holds your uterine lining intact until the end of your cycle when it plunges and causes the endometrium to shed.