MENSTRUATION AND MENSTRUAL CYCLE
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From the onset of puberty, the two ovaries inside a girl's body produce an egg or ovum (plural ova) alternatively. Thus a single mature ovum is released every 28/ 30 days. The process of release of an ovum by an ovary is called ovulation.
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The cycle of producing and releasing mature ova is called the menstrual cycle (menstrual means month in Latin).
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The release of unfertilized eggs along with blood and some uterine tissues from a female body through vagina every month is known as menstruation. It last for around 5 days which may vary in different individuals.
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This outflow of blood, tissues and unfertile egg is termed as menstrual flow.
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Menstrual cycle is constituted by a series of processes and hormone secretion at specific time period in month.
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The pituitary gland secretes a hormone that stimulates the ovary to release a mature ovum.
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The ovaries release two important hormones, estrogen and progesterone, which change the lining of the uterus.
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The ovum then begins its journey through the fallopian tube.
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In case the ovum is not fertilized by a male sperm, it dies and starts disintegrating and the hormonal levels drop.
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The lining of the uterus starts breaking down and is shed, accompanied by a loss of blood. This phase, which usually lasts 4-6 days, is called a girl's period or menstruation.
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The start of the menstrual cycle indicates that the girl has now acquired the ability to have a baby. During the menstrual cycle, different parts of the body release hormones to prepare the body for pregnancy.
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The phase of a female life when menstrual cycle begins is known as menarche and the phase when it stops is called menopause.
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Menarche usually occurs at the age of 10 to 14 years and menopause occurs at the age of 45 to 50 years. Both phases are associated with hormonal changes.
