05/07/2022
Doctor Aziba
REGULAR AND IRREGULAR MENSTRUATION
1. Sometimes, menstruation is described as a monthly cycle or a menstrual month. This is because, for many women, it occurs once in a month; 28 to 31 days.
2. Menstruation, however, does not always take place every 28 to 31 days (Some textbooks put the range at 28 to 35 days).
3. A menstrual cycle is described as the total number of days calculated from the first day of one me**es to the first day of the next me**es; every first day of a new me**es marks the beginning of a new cycle.
4. In each process, before ovulation (release of the egg), the lining of the uterus (womb) thickens in preparation for pregnancy. This can be likened to the creation of a nest to house the fetus (child in the womb).
5. If pregnancy does not occur at this time, there would be no need for the nest. So the body begins a gradual process of breaking down the thickened lining (nest) of the uterus (womb). This could take up to two weeks, which means the process is completed two weeks after ovulation must have taken place.
6. The broken nest now leaves the body in what we term as menstruation. This flow of blood (menstruation) can last up to 3 to 5 days. After that, the menstruation stops until the beginning of the next cycle.
7. The cycle can be as short as 19 days or as long as 50 days and still be expected for a particular lady. The emphasis would be on the regularity of the cycle, given a specific number of days that is mostly constant.
8. A completely irregular menstrual cycle can also be expected in a healthy female, requiring no treatment. Only a doctor of competent authority can make this conclusion; hence, a visit to the doctor's clinic is needed for women with irregular menstrual cycles.
9. A woman who has a menstrual cycle shorter than 19 days is not fertile (cannot get pregnant).
10. The exception would be for pre-menopausal women, who may experience longer or much shorter cycles, which can be as short as 17 days.
11. Women with very long cycles probably ovulate only a few times a year, compared to those with a 28 to 31 days cycle who ovulate more often.
12. In premenopausal women, infertile cycles may occur for several months, followed by an unexpected fertile process.
13. Vaginal bleed that is not associated with menstruation should be examined by an Obstetrician/Gynaecologist immediately.