Recognizing your Menstrual Cycle

To determine your safe periods, you must first comprehend the menstrual cycle’s distinct stages. The menstrual cycle is separated into three stages: follicular (pre-ovulation), ovulation, and luteal (post-ovulation phase). Each stage lasts a different amount of time for every female. The average cycle is 28 days long. Let’s take a better look at what is going on in each stage.

1. The Follicular Phase

The follicular phase (before release of the egg) takes place prior to ovulation. The full development of the follicles in the ovary occurs during this period. This stage concludes with ovulation. Estradiol is the active hormone at this phase, and Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH) is released.

2. The Ovulatory Phase

During the ovulation phase (egg release), an adult ovarian follicle fractures and releases an egg (ovum). The ovulation stage is a period that occurs soon before and after ovulation. Here on the days she is ovulating, a woman may become pregnant if she has sexual intercourse.

3. The Luteal Phase

The luteal phase (after egg release) is the last phase of the menstrual cycle. It is marked by the creation of the corpus luteum and ends with either pregnancy or degradation of the corpus luteum.

The safe days following a period are determined by the lifespan of the sperm and the egg. Let’s assume the menstrual cycle is of a typical length. That means ovulation occurs on the 14th day of the menstrual cycle (28 days). Ovulation periods are different for different women, ranging from the 12th to the 19th day of the cycle. A sperm normally survives in the reproductive system for 3 to 5 days. As a result, if unsafe intercourse occurs five days prior to ovulation, it is feasible to become pregnant. The egg has a rather brief existence, lasting only around 24 hours. If the egg is not fertilized in that time range, it will perish.