Your menstrual cycle | Office on Women's Health (2024)

A menstrual cycle begins with the first day of your period, or menstruation [MEN-stroo-AY-shuhn] and starts over again when the next period begins. Throughout a monthly menstrual cycle, your body makes different amounts of chemicals called hormones to prepare for pregnancy. These changing hormone levels can cause menstrual symptoms. Menstrual cycles often change as a woman gets older. A normal cycle lasts between 24 and 38 days.

What is menstruation?

Menstruation is a woman’s monthly bleeding, often called your “period.” When you menstruate, your body discards the monthly buildup of the lining of your uterus (womb). Menstrual blood and tissue flow from your uterus through the small opening in your cervixand pass out of your body through your vagin*.

During the monthly menstrual cycle, the uterus lining builds up to prepare for pregnancy. If you do not get pregnant, estrogen and progesterone hormone levels begin falling. Very low levels of estrogen and progesterone tell your body to begin menstruation.

What is the menstrual cycle?

The menstrual cycle is the monthly hormonal cycle a female’s body goes through to prepare for pregnancy. Your menstrual cycle is counted from the first day of your period up to the first day of your next period. Your hormone levels (estrogen and progesterone) usually change throughout the menstrual cycle and can cause menstrual symptoms.

How long is a typical menstrual cycle?

The typical menstrual cycle is 28 days long, but each woman is different.2 Also, a woman’s menstrual cycle length might be different from month-to-month. Your periods are still “regular” if they usually come every 24 to 38 days.3 This means that the time from the first day of your last period up to the start of your next period is at least 24 days but not more than 38 days.

Some women’s periods are so regular that they can predict the day and time that their periods will start. Other women are regular but can only predict the start of their period within a few days.

What is ovulation?

Ovulation is when the ovary releases an egg so it can be fertilized by a sperm in order to make a baby. A woman is most likely to get pregnant if she has sex without birth control in the three days before and up to the day of ovulation (since the sperm are already in place and ready to fertilize the egg as soon as it is released). A man’s sperm can live for 3 to 5 days in a woman’s reproductive organs, but a woman’s egg lives for just 12 to 24 hours after ovulation.

Each woman’s cycle length may be different, and the time between ovulation and when the next period starts can be anywhere from one week (7 days) to more than 2 weeks (19 days).4

At different times in a woman’s life, ovulation may or may not happen:

  • Women who are pregnant do not ovulate.
  • Women who are breastfeeding may or may not ovulate. Women who are breastfeeding should talk to their doctor about birth controlmethods if they do not want to get pregnant.
  • During perimenopause, the transition to menopause, you may not ovulate every month.
  • After menopause you do not ovulate.

How do I know if I’m ovulating?

A few days before you ovulate, your vagin*l mucus or discharge changes and becomes more slippery and clear. This type of mucus helps sperm move up into your uterus and into the fallopian tubes where it can fertilize an egg. Some women feel minor cramping on one side of their pelvic area when they ovulate. Some women have other signs of ovulation.

Luteinizing hormone (LH) is a hormone released by your brain that tells the ovary to release an egg (called ovulation). LH levels begin to surge upward about 36 hours before ovulation, so some women and their doctors test for LH levels. LH levels peak about 12 hours before ovulation.1 Women who are tracking ovulation to become pregnant will notice a slight rise in their basal temperature (your temperature after sleeping before you get out of bed) around ovulation. Learn more about tracking ovulation to become pregnant.

How does my menstrual cycle change as I get older?

Your cycles may change in different ways as you get older. Often, periods are heavier when you are younger (in your teens) and usually get lighter in your 20s and 30s. This is normal.

  • For a few years after your first period, menstrual cycles longer than 38 days are common. Girls usually get more regular cycles within three years of starting their periods. If longer or irregular cycles last beyond that, see your doctor or nurse to rule out a health problem, such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).5
  • In your 20s and 30s, your cycles are usually regular and can last anywhere from 24 to 38 days.
  • In your 40s, as your body starts the transition to menopause,your cycles might become irregular. Your menstrual periods might stop for a month or a few months and then start again. They also might be shorter or last longer than usual, or be lighter or heavier than normal.

Talk to your doctor or nurse if you have menstrual cycles that are longer than 38 days or shorter than 24 days, or if you are worried about your menstrual cycle.

Why should I keep track of my menstrual cycle?

If your periods are regular, tracking them will help you know when you ovulate, when you are most likely to get pregnant, and when to expect your next period to start.

If your periods are not regular, tracking them can help you share any problems with your doctor or nurse.

If you have period pain or bleeding that causes you to miss school or work, tracking these period symptoms will help you and your doctor or nurse find treatments that work for you. Severe pain or bleeding that causes you to miss regular activities is not normal and can be treated.

How can I keep track of my menstrual cycle?

You can keep track of your menstrual cycle by marking the day you start your period on a calendar. After a few months, you can begin to see if your periods are regular or if your cycles are different each month.

You may want to track:

  • Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) symptoms: Did you have cramping, headaches, moodiness, forgetfulness, bloating, or breast tenderness?
  • When your bleeding begins: Was it earlier or later than expected?
  • How heavy the bleeding was on your heaviest days: Was the bleeding heavier or lighter than usual? How many pads or tampons did you use?
  • Period symptoms: Did you have pain or bleeding on any days that caused you to miss work or school?
  • How many days your period lasted: Was your period shorter or longer than the month before?

You can also download apps (sometimes for free) for your phone to track your periods. Some include features to track your PMS symptoms, energy and activity levels, and more.

When does a girl usually get her first period?

The average age for a girl in the United States to get her first period is 12.6 This does not mean that all girls start at the same age.

A girl may start her period anytime between 8 and 15. The first period normally starts about two years after breasts first start to develop and pubic hair begins to grow. The age at which a girl’s mother started her period can help predict when a girl may start her period.

A girl should see her doctor if:

  • She starts her period before age 8.
  • She has not had her first period by age 15.
  • She has not had her first period within three years of breast growth.

Get more information for girls about getting their period at girlshealth.gov.

How long does a woman usually have periods?

On average, women get a period for about 40 years of their life.6,7 Most women have regular periods until perimenopause, the time when your body begins the change to menopause. Perimenopause, or transition to menopause, may take a few years. During this time, your period may not come regularly. Menopause happens when you have not had a period for 12 months in a row. For most women, this happens between the ages of 45 and 55. The average age of menopause in the United States is 52.

Periods also stop during pregnancy and may not come back right away if you breastfeed.

But if you don’t have a period for 90 days (three months), and you are not pregnant or breastfeeding, talk to your doctor or nurse. Your doctor will check for pregnancy or a health problem that can cause periods to stop or become irregular.

What is a normal amount of bleeding during my period?

The average woman loses about two to three tablespoons of blood during her period.8 Your periods may be lighter or heavier than the average amount. What is normal for you may not be the same for someone else. Also, the flow may be lighter or heavier from month to month.

Your periods may also change as you get older. Some women have heavy bleeding during perimenopause, the transition to menopause. Symptoms of heavy menstrual bleedingmay include:

  • Bleeding through one or more pads or tampons every one to two hours
  • Passing blood clots larger than the size of quarters
  • Bleeding that often lasts longer than eight days

How often should I change my pad, tampon, menstrual cup, sponge, or period panties?

Follow the instructions that came with your period product. Try to change or rinse your feminine hygiene product before it becomes soaked through or full.

  • Most women change their pads every few hours.
  • A tampon should not be worn for more than 8 hours because of the risk of toxic shock syndrome (TSS)
  • Menstrual cups and sponges may only need to be rinsed once or twice a day.
  • Period panties (underwear with washable menstrual pads sewn in) can usually last about a day, depending on the style and your flow.

Use a product appropriate in size and absorbency for your menstrual bleeding. The amount of menstrual blood usually changes during a period. Some women use different products on different days of their period, depending on how heavy or light the bleeding is.

What is toxic shock syndrome?

Toxic shock syndrome (TSS) is a rare but sometimes deadly condition caused by bacteria that make toxins or poisons. In 1980, 63 women died from TSS. A certain brand of super absorbency tampons was said to be the cause. These tampons were taken off the market.

Today, most cases of TSS are not caused by using tampons. But, you could be at risk for TSS if you use more absorbent tampons than you need for your bleeding or if you do not change your tampon often enough (at least every four to eight hours). Menstrual cups, cervical caps, sponges, or diaphragms (anything inserted into your vagin*) may also increase your risk for TSS if they are left in place for too long (usually 24 hours). Remove sponges within 30 hours and cervical caps within 48 hours.9

If you have any symptoms of TSS, take out the tampon, menstrual cup, sponge, or diaphragm, and call 911 or go to the hospital right away.

Symptoms of TSS include:10

  • Sudden high fever
  • Muscle aches
  • Vomiting
  • Nausea
  • Diarrhea
  • Rash
  • Kidney or other organ failure

How does the menstrual cycle affect other health problems?

The changing hormone levels throughout the menstrual cycle can also affect other health problems:

  • Depressionand anxiety disorders.These conditions often overlap with premenstrual syndrome (PMS). Depression and anxiety symptoms are similar to PMS and may get worse before or during your period.
  • Asthma. Your asthma symptoms may be worse during some parts of your cycle.11
  • Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).IBS causes cramping, bloating, and gas. Your IBS symptoms may get worse right before your period.
  • Bladder pain syndrome.Women with bladder pain syndrome are more likely to have painful cramps during PMS.

Learn more about your menstrual cycle and your health.

Did we answer your question about the menstrual cycle?

For more information about the menstrual cycle, call the OWH Helpline at 1-800-994-9662 or check out the following resources from other organizations:

Sources

  1. Reed, B.G., Carr, B.R. (2015). The Normal Menstrual Cycle and the Control of Ovulation. Endotext [Internet]. South Dartmouth (MA): MDText.com, Inc.
  2. Chiazze, L., Brayer, F.T., Macisco, J.J., Parker, M.P., Duffy, B.J. (1968). The Length and Variability of the Human Menstrual Cycle.JAMA; 203(6): 377–380.
  3. Fraser, I.S., Critchley, H., Broder, M., Munro, M.G. (2011). The FIGO Recommendations on Terminologies and Definitions for Normal and Abnormal Uterine Bleeding.The Seminars in Reproductive Medicine; 29(5): 383-390.
  4. Wilcox, A. J., Dunson, D., Baird, D. D. (2000). The timing of the "fertile window" in the menstrual cycle: day specific estimates from a prospective study. British Medical Journal, 321(7271):1259-1262.
  5. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. (2015). Menstruation in Girls and Adolescents: Using the Menstrual Cycle as a Vital Sign.
  6. McDowell, M.A., Brody, D.J., Hughes, J.P. (2007). Has Age at Menarche Changed? Results from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 1999–2004.Journal of Adolescent Health; 40(3): 227–231.
  7. Shifren, J.L., Gass, M.L.S., for the NAMS Recommendations for Clinical Care of Midlife Women Working Group. (2014). The North American Menopause Society Recommendations for Clinical Care of Midlife Women. Menopause; 21(10): 1038–1062.
  8. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2015). Heavy Menstrual Bleeding.
  9. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. (2016). Barrier Methods of Birth Control: Spermicide, Condom, Sponge, Diaphragm, and Cervical Cap.
  10. Matsuda, Y., Kato, H., Ono, E., Kikuchi, K., Muraoka, M., Takagi, K. (2008). Diagnosis of toxic shock syndrome by two different systems; clinical criteria and monitoring of TSST-1-reactive T cells.Microbiol Immunol; 52(11):513-21.
  11. Zein, J.G., Erzurum, S.C. (2015). Asthma is Different in Women. Current Allergy and Asthma Reports; 15(6): 28.
Your menstrual cycle | Office on Women's Health (2024)

FAQs

What is menstrual cycle question answer? ›

The menstrual cycle is a natural process. It is a complex cycle controlled by female hormones that cause regular bleeding (periods). The menstrual cycle has four phases: menstruation, the follicular phase, ovulation and the luteal phase.

What does your menstrual cycle say about your health? ›

Regular periods between puberty and menopause mean your body is working normally. Period problems like irregular or painful periods may be a sign of a serious health problem. Period problems may also lead to other health problems, including problems getting pregnant.

What is the normal menstrual cycle of a healthy woman? ›

How long is a normal menstrual cycle? The average length of a menstrual cycle is 28 days. However, a cycle can range in length from 21 days to about 35 days and still be normal.

What are the signs that your period is not coming? ›

Depending on the cause of amenorrhea, you might experience other signs or symptoms along with the absence of periods, such as:
  • Milky nipple discharge.
  • Hair loss.
  • Headache.
  • Vision changes.
  • Excess facial hair.
  • Pelvic pain.
  • Acne.
Feb 9, 2023

How long does a regular menstrual cycle last? ›

Your menstrual cycle lasts from the first day of your period to the first day of your next period. The average menstrual cycle is about 25-30 days, but it can be as short as 21 days or longer than 35 — it's different from person to person. The number of days in your cycle may also vary from month to month.

How do I know when my next period will come? ›

So, if you want a very general estimate of when your next period is coming, count 28 days from the first day of your last period. However, just be aware that 28 is only an average, so the number varies from girl to girl. What's even more helpful is to work out the average for your individual menstrual cycle.

Does drinking water help your period end faster? ›

A 2021 study suggests that drinking water might help shorten the length of your period. That said, more research is necessary to confirm these findings. However, staying hydrated while on your period is also important because heavy bleeding can cause dehydration, as well as symptoms like weakness or fatigue.

What is an unhealthy period? ›

Examples of irregular menstruation include: Periods that occur fewer than 21 days or more than 35 days apart. Missing three or more periods in a row. Menstrual flow (bleeding) that's much heavier or lighter than usual. Periods that last longer than seven days.

What is the healthiest menstrual cycle? ›

According to the NHS, 'regular cycles that are longer or shorter than this, from 23 to 35 days, are normal. ' Periods are considered irregular if the gap between them is less than 21 days or more than 35 days, but irregular periods aren't necessarily a sign of a problem.

How to flush out period blood faster? ›

These include:
  1. exercise.
  2. having sex.
  3. choosing an alternative to a tampon.
  4. using hormonal birth control.
  5. reaching and maintaining a healthy body weight.
  6. nutritional supplements, such as zinc and vitamin B6.
  7. staying hydrated.
  8. trying herbal remedies.
Oct 28, 2020

Does free bleeding make your period end faster? ›

Does free bleeding make your period end faster? There is no scientific research that links free bleeding to shorter menstruation. Some people may anecdotally report a shorter period, but this may be because they aren't using traditional products, so they aren't keeping track of their product use as closely.

What is the color of a healthy period? ›

‌It's considered normal for blood to vary between shades of red and brown during the first few years after menarche, or when you start having your periods. Even in later years, or as an adult, such color changes are considered normal. The color of period blood can change during the same period cycle as well.

What is a ghost period? ›

October 27, 2022 | by drseckin.com. Periods without actual flow, also known as phantom periods or phantom flow, have symptoms that are very similar to those of a normal periods except that there is no actual blood release. Phantom periods can occur due to a variety of reasons including stress and endometriosis.

Is it normal to still have a period at 55? ›

Any woman still experiencing a menstrual cycle in her late 50s and 60s should see a doctor. However, it's important to note that each woman's reproductive system is different. Just as each young woman starts menstruating at a different age, menopause comes at a different age for each woman.

Why is there no blood on my pad but blood when I wipe? ›

Hormonal fluctuations: Changes in hormone levels, particularly estrogen and progesterone, can cause spotting. This is common around ovulation, the beginning or end of your menstrual cycle, or during perimenopause. Birth control: Starting, stopping, or missing doses of hormonal birth control can lead to spotting.

How do you define a menstrual cycle? ›

(MEN-stroo-ul SY-kul) The monthly cycle of hormonal changes from the beginning of one menstrual period to the beginning of the next. During the monthly menstrual cycle, the lining of the uterus thickens to prepare for pregnancy.

What is menstrual short answer? ›

Menstruation is the breakdown of the uterus' endometrial lining and blood vessels, resulting in a liquid that is expelled through the vagin*l canal. The menstrual flow lasts for three to five days. Menstruation occurs every 28/29 days in human females.

What is the definition of the menstrual cycle quizlet? ›

Terms in this set (7) menstrual cycle: define. -a series of events that occur over a period of 28 days that relate to the growth and degeneration of the female endometrium. Menarche. -the first menses or menstrual cycle.

What is the menstrual phase of the menstrual cycle? ›

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.

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