Menstrual Cycle and Its Influence on Pregnancy and Reproductive Health

ByAlyssa Paula
Menstrual_Cycle_and_Its_Influence_on_Pregnancy_and_Reproductive_Health (2)-ea46dec3

The menstrual cycle is an important part of reproductive health for women. It also helps your body to give a conducive environment to prepare for pregnancy. The cycle can last anywhere between 21 and 25 days. The typical duration is however 28 days. During this, several changes occur in the body, especially fluctuations in hormone levels. You can know when you will get your period if you keep a track of your menstrual cycle. It can assist in knowing when you shall ovulate, and thus, avoid an unintended pregnancy.

In this post, we will talk about menstrual cycle phases and how to keep a track of them, the benefits of doing so, ovulation, pregnancy, common reproductive health issues, irregular periods, and other details.

Why You Should Track Menstrual Cycle and Its Benefits

It is crucial to know that the chances of getting pregnant on period are zero. Because with the shedding of the endometrial lining and mature egg, fertilization and implantation cannot take place. Thus, if you have intercourse in this while, you will not get pregnant. However, it is best to avoid intercourse if you worry about infection risk and other health issues due to vaginal bleeding.

  • Knowing when you will get a monthly period is possible by keeping a track of your menstrual cycle. It also aids you to know about your overall health and fitness. For instance, if you know when ovulation will take place, then, you may understand the fluctuations in libido.
  • It can tell if something is wrong with your health. You will get knowledge about the fertility period when the chances of conceiving are at their peak. There are several such advantages as these.
  • If you are aware of the fertility cycle, then you can conceive easily. The time when you can get pregnant more easily is 5 days before ovulation, the day after ovulation, and the day you ovulate.
  • Keep notice of the menstrual cycle symptoms and you will have an inkling of when you could get your period. This is also helpful if you need to plan something, wherein ovulation or getting a period can hinder the activity. For instance, people may not travel or plan a holiday for this duration.

How to Know When You Will Ovulate?

To know the menstrual cycle length, count from the first day of your last period. The start day is day 1. And the last day of the cycle is the day before you get the next period. Ovulation occurs every month for a woman. It is the menstrual cycle hormones that cause the ovaries to release a mature egg. The egg is then released into the fallopian tube, staying for 24 hours here. And this activity is required for you to conceive.

  • Thus, knowing when menstruation will occur will tell you about the ovulation pattern. It will give an idea about the fertility window, the potential time when you can plan for a pregnancy, or avoid it.
  • If the sperm is able to reach the egg in the fallopian tube, then the chances of conceiving are higher. The chances of getting pregnant on your period are next to impossible because 12 to 24 hours after you ovulate, the egg is no more in the fallopian tube.
  • If you are unable to track the menstrual cycle or fertile window, you can use birth control for better results. It will regulate your period and help you understand the ovulation date.
  • Sometimes you may get menstrual bleeding before expected. There are several early periods causes such as stress, heavy object lifting, too much physical strain, a pre-existing medical condition related to hormones, metabolic syndrome, or another issue.

How to Detect Menstrual Problems in Women?

Most females get menstrual bleeding lasting for 3 to 7 days. So, the cycle is between 21 and 35 days. The flow of the bleeding ebbs as and when the period nears its end. If you notice the menstruation patterns, you can detect the irregular periods symptoms or if something is wrong with reproductive health. Here are some of the irregularities that can occur during the monthly period.

  • In the duration of the period if you encounter abnormal pain, cramping, vomiting, or nausea.
  • If the blood flow is too heavy or light.
  • If the period occurs 21 or 35 days apart.
  • If missed periods happen consecutively.
  • If you bleeding in between periods.
  • If the bleeding lasts beyond 7 days.

Lifestyle changes and health issues can lead to irregular periods and menstruation issues. Some of the leading causes are lack of exercise, being overweight, unhealthy diet, stress, etc. But some of the serious conditions that may be responsible are:

  •  Cancer
  •  Uterine fibroids and polyps
  •  Pregnancy complications
  •  Endometriosis
  •  PCOS (Polycystic ovary syndrome)
  •  Pelvic inflammatory disease
  •  Premature ovarian insufficiency

If you are thinking of pregnancy during periods leading to the fertility phase, but have any of the above given medical conditions, it is essential to first seek treatment for the issues. Only then, you can address the irregularities in menses and consider a healthy pregnancy.

Deciphering the Mood Changes During Menstruation

While an unintended pregnancy can stir emotional problems and stress, it can happen because of issues with menstruation as well. Mood changes are quite normal at this time. Many women suffer from premenstrual syndrome (PMS). The hormonal levels shift when you ovulate. This can lead to different alterations in the biological system. Some of the PMS symptoms are anxiety, impulsiveness, irritability, depression, lethargy, or fatigue.

After the bleeding occurs or ends, these symptoms also go away gradually in a few days. Knowing the reproductive cycle in female thus can help detect mood changes. So, you can prepare for the event better and if you have to get treated for other symptoms, you may contact your healthcare provider.

Knowing about Menstrual Cycle and Libido

Because of the hormone fluctuations, the sex drive or libido does not stay the same throughout the menstrual cycle. Sometimes, the person may have a low or high sex drive. And that is because of the hormone estrogen and progesterone, along with others. These may dip or increase, giving rise to changes in sexual desires and intimacy as well. Vaginal lubrication enhances due to high estrogen levels. And the same decreases due to high progesterone.

The menstrual cycle pregnancy is also linked to libido. For instance, women with an increased libido are at a higher chance of getting intimate, and getting pregnant as well, and vice-versa. To avoid an unplanned pregnancy, using birth control is necessary. At the same time, a high sex drive is good if you wish to conceive. Low libido can dampen the spirits likewise for having intercourse. This lowers the chances of conceiving as well as the person does not wish to get intimate.

To Conclude

Understanding your menstrual cycle and keeping a track of it is indeed beneficial for health. Also, it informs you about the potential time to get pregnant or not. It also gives an indication if you are well and if there are any reproductive health issues.

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I am Alyssa Paul, a healthcare professional with expertise writing on women’s healthcare at Abortionpillsrx for safely treating unplanned pregnancies.