5 Things You Need to Know About Menstrual Cycles

1. Is a Menstrual Cycle Really Necessary?

A woman's menstrual cycle is the process where the woman's reproductive system starts fresh every month. From the first day of your period, the average cycle is 28 days long. That means you'll start your next period in 28 days. However, that greatly varies, from 21 to 35 days in women and 21 to 45 days in teens. Almost every hormone in a woman's body relates to a woman's reproductive system and thus her menstrual cycle.

2. It all Begins With a Period

At the beginning of a menstrual cycle is menstruation. More people know this as a woman's period. Blood gathers on the lining of your uterus just in case you get pregnant. If you're not pregnant, that blood flows out of your body. Most periods last three to five days and can include symptoms like abdominal cramps, feeling bloated, headaches and mood swings.

3. The Science of Pregnancy

It's hard to imagine all that goes on inside of a woman's body every month. It's even harder to grasp the fact that the menstrual cycle is what makes it possible for new life to be created. About two weeks after you had your last period, an egg releases from the ovary into the uterus. The exact ovulation date varies, but this is the time when it's most likely for a woman to become pregnant. If a man's sperm cell fertilizes the egg, it attaches to the uterine wall and you're officially pregnant. You won't know exactly when this happens, but you'll get your first clue in a couple of weeks when you miss your period.

4. It all Ends With Menopause

Typically, American girls have their first period around 12 years old. Depending on how the girl's body develops, it can be sooner or later. Some girls as young as 8 get a monthly period and other girls wait until they're 15. In a healthy woman, the menstrual cycle continues until menopause. Most women enter menopause around age 50 when the body simply stops releasing eggs. That makes it impossible to become pregnant and the menstrual cycle is no longer necessary.

5. Spot Problems Right Away

Periods can be a real annoyance, but most women put up with it because of the desire to have children. That's what can make the situation especially stressful when there are problems. Most problems associated with a woman's menstrual cycle aren't serious. Variable cycles, menstrual cramps and hormone surges are all common symptoms experienced before and during a woman's period. However, if you have a foul smelling vaginal discharge, pain during sex or bowel movements or abnormal bleeding, contact your doctor for further treatment.