Menstrual cycle

The menstrual cycle is the cycle of events that take place in a woman’s body periodically so as to prepare for growing a new life inside their body. It is the cycle of events that will take her to pregnancy. Menstrual cycle usually occurs once a month but the exact duration varies among individuals, based on their health conditions. A new lining called the endometrium is grown in the uterus of a woman. The growth is attributed for receiving a fertilized egg. Once the fertility egg is received, the pregnancy starts. But when there is no fertility egg, the lining is shed by the uterus in the form of bleeding and this is called as the menstrual bleeding, which is otherwise called as menstrual period. These cycles of events occurs once a month, starting from their puberty to menopause.
The normal age of attaining puberty is from 10-14 and menopause is around 50 years. The average menstrual cycle is calculated to be 28 days but it is normal to have a period that is either shorter or longer than the average duration. The cycle is calculated from the first day of the bleeding to the next month’s first day. The ages from 10-14 is the start of the periods where the girl will have unusual duration of menstrual cycle as it is the starting age of the period. Similarly, women at ages 40 and above will have longer days of menstruation which will eventually stop one day or the other. From ages 20-40, it is normal to have periods with 3-5 days of irregularity. But if this continues longer, it is better to consult the doctor.

There are two cycles in the menstrual process, namely ovarian cycle and uterine cycle. Each cycle is subdivided into three phases. The changes that take place in the ovarian follicles are described in the ovarian phase and the changes in the endometrial lining are described in the uterine cycle. The first phase of the ovarian cycle is the follicular phase when the follicles mature to release an egg. Ovulation is the next phase when the follicles release the matured egg into the oviduct. The luteal phase is when the hormones come into play. Menstruation is the first phase of the uterine cycle when the bleeding occurs. Proliferative phase is when the lining of the uterus grows. The secretory phase is synonymous with the luteal phase of the ovarian cycle.

Increasing the cervical fluid levels

Women who are finding it difficult to become pregnant should direct their attention towards the cervical fluid, also known as the cervical mucus. This fluid is present in a woman’s body because the female reproductive system creates it during the entire menstrual cycle. The levels of cervical fluid increase as the menstrual cycle progresses and a woman is more fertile when the fluid is abundant. The role of this fluid is to make it much easier for the sperm to reach the egg by allowing the free passage. As a result, women who have problems with the fluid should immediately direct their attention towards ways of improving the levels of fluid in their body.

How can the cervical mucus be increased in level? Well, a start would be to drink much more water than usual. The hydration levels of the body and the mucus are strictly connected to each other, so more water means a better hydration and more fluid. Another way of increasing the cervical fluid is by avoiding the allergy medications, as well as the cold medications. Using a sperm friendly lubricant during the sexual act is another good idea, as the lubricant represents a good replacement for the cervical mucus.

Source: www.ovulationsigns.net

What is Cervical Mucus

Fertility is something that every woman is born with, and almost every body organ that a woman possesses is intended to support the process of conception as well as the imminent birth of a child. Most of these organs can be seen with the naked eye and are obviously meant for that purpose. But what most women do not know is that there are some less obvious things that they do not really link to ovulation, to fertility, or conception. These are often manifested in vaginal discharge of some sort, such as a whitish smelly substance that is common before and sometimes after menstruation. This discharge is known to the medical world as cervical mucus.

What is Cervical Mucus?

Cervical mucus is mostly made up of water (around 90%) during the fertile period and it is when a woman is most likely to conceive. The cervical mucus prior to and during ovulation gives significant assistance to the sperm in traveling from the cervix to the uterus. Most fertility doctors would advise a woman who is trying to conceive to increase sexual activity whenever the cervical mucus looks like a sticky, slippery, and as clear as egg white. This kind of discharge often means that ovulation is already taking place inside the body and conception would most likely occur in about 12 to 24 hours.
Another thing that must be remembered when considering the question of what is cervical mucus is that this contains a lot of trace elements like copper, zinc, manganese, iron, and selenium. These can be evident in high or low levels depending on which stage of the menstrual cycle that you are in as well as the various hormones that are present at the time. Another way to respond to the question of what is cervical mucus is that one of its natural ingredients is glycerol, an enzyme whose sizeable quantity being produced during sexual intercourse is attributed to the maximum lubrication that is provided by cervical fluid to assist in penetration.
Another relevant factor when thinking about cervical mucus is that its consistency varies during the different stages of a woman’s cycle. During menstruation and pregnancy, the cervical fluid is very thick and it blocks the opening to the cervix so that the sperm and other microorganisms cannot get in. It is also highly acidic during this time and contains an antibacterial quality during pregnancy to prevent infections from affecting the womb.

Oznake: pregnancy