Each month during the years between puberty and menopause, a woman’s body goes through a number of changes to get it ready for a possible pregnancy. This series of hormone-driven events is called the menstrual cycle.
During each menstrual cycle, an egg develops and is released from the ovaries. The lining of the uterus builds up. If a pregnancy doesn’t happen, the uterine lining sheds during a menstrual period. Then the cycle starts again. A woman’s menstrual cycle is divided into four phases. The length of each phase can differ from woman to woman, and it can change over time. The phases include;
Menstrual phase
The menstrual phase is the first stage of the menstrual cycle. It’s also when you get your period. This phase starts when an egg from the previous cycle isn’t fertilized. Because pregnancy hasn’t taken place, levels of the hormones estrogen and progesterone drop.
The thickened lining of your uterus, which would support a pregnancy, is no longer needed, so it sheds through your vagina. During your period, you release a combination of blood, mucus, and tissue from your uterus.
You may have period symptoms like these:
- cramps
- tender breasts
- bloating
- mood swings
- irritability
- headaches
- tiredness
- low back pain
On average, women are in the menstrual phase of their cycle for 3 to 7 days. Some women have longer periods than others.
Follicular phase
The follicular phase starts on the first day of your period (so there is some overlap with the menstrual phase) and ends when you ovulate. It starts when the hypothalamus sends a signal to your pituitary gland to release follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). This hormone stimulates your ovaries to produce around 5 to 20 small sacs called follicles. Each follicle contains an immature egg.
Only the healthiest egg will eventually mature. (On rare occasions, a woman may have two eggs mature.) The rest of the follicles will be reabsorbed into your body. The maturing follicle sets off a surge in estrogen that thickens the lining of your uterus. This creates a nutrient-rich environment for an embryo to grow. The average follicular phase lasts for about 16 days. It can range from 11 to 27 days, depending on your cycle.
Ovulation phase
Rising estrogen levels during the follicular phase trigger your pituitary gland to release luteinizing hormone (LH). This is what starts the process of ovulation. Ovulation is when your ovary releases a mature egg. The egg travels down the fallopian tube toward the uterus to be fertilized by sperm.
The ovulation phase is the only time during your menstrual cycle when you can get pregnant. You can tell that you’re ovulating by symptoms like these:
- a slight rise in basal body temperature
- thicker discharge that has the texture of egg whites
Ovulation happens at around day 14 if you have a 28-day cycle — right in the middle of your menstrual cycle. It lasts about 24 hours. After a day, the egg will die or dissolve if it isn’t fertilized.
Luteal phase
After the follicle releases its egg, it changes into the corpus luteum. This structure releases hormones, mainly progesterone and some estrogen. The rise in hormones keeps your uterine lining thick and ready for a fertilized egg to implant. If you do get pregnant, your body will produce human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). This is the hormone pregnancy tests detect. It helps maintain the corpus luteum and keeps the uterine lining thick.
If you don’t get pregnant, the corpus luteum will shrink away and be resorbed. This leads to decreased levels of estrogen and progesterone, which causes the onset of your period. The uterine lining will shed during your period.
During this phase, if you don’t get pregnant, you may experience symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS). These include:
- bloating
- breast swelling, pain, or tenderness
- mood changes
- headache
- weight gain
- changes in sexual desire
- food cravings
- trouble sleeping
The luteal phase lasts for 11 to 17 days. The average length is 14 days.
How Zobo Drink Affect Menstruation
Zobo Drink is one of the many nutritional drinks found in West Africa, it derives its name from the Hausa name of its parent plant “Zoborodo” Habiscus Sabdariffa (Roselle). Although several recipes for zobo drink preparation exist, the beverage is generally produced by steaming flower petals of the plant in hot water, additional flavorings and ginger are sometimes added to improve taste and nutritional content. There is widespread consumption of Zobo across Nigeria especially during festivities owing to perceived nutritional benefits. A study published in the American Journal of food technology noted the three varieties of Habiscus Sandarifa used in producing Zobo each had their own specific nutritional value.
Zobo has affects on estrogen levels and drinking zobo tea can actually induce menstruation. For some women, inducing menstruation is a good thing. If you have an irregular cycle, it can actually help regulate your period. Or, even if you’re already regular, you can brew a cup of zobo tea to also help with cramps. According to a newly published study, zobo drink has a beneficial effect in reducing the symptoms of Oligomenorrhea ( irregular and inconsistent menstrual blood flow in a woman).
Nevertheless, it is important to note that every woman’s menstrual cycle is different. Some women get their period at the same time each month. Others are more irregular. Some women bleed more heavily or for a longer number of days than others. Your menstrual cycle can also change during certain times of your life. For example, it can get more irregular as you get close to menopause.
One way to find out if you’re having any issues with your menstrual cycle is to track your periods. Write down when they start and end. Also record any changes to the amount or number of days you bleed, and whether you have spotting between periods.
Any of these things can alter your menstrual cycle:
Birth control. The birth control pill may make your periods shorter and lighter. While on some pills, you won’t get a period at all.
Pregnancy. Your periods should stop during pregnancy. Missed periods are one of the most obvious first signs that you’re pregnant.
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). This hormonal imbalance prevents an egg from developing normally in the ovaries. PCOS causes irregular menstrual cycles and missed periods.
Uterine fibroids. These noncancerous growths in your uterus can make your periods longer and heavier than usual.
Eating disorders. Anorexia, bulimia, and other eating disorders can disrupt your menstrual cycle and make your periods stop.
