Female Cycle: Function, Tasks, Role & Diseases

The female cycle, or menstrual cycle, refers to a woman’s monthly menstrual period. Its length is on average 28 days.

What is the female menstrual cycle?

The female cycle, or menstrual cycle, is understood to be a woman’s monthly menstrual bleeding. The female cycle is also known as menstruation, ovarian cycle, period, monthly cycle or menstruation. At an interval of about three to four weeks, it occurs regularly in women between about 12 and 50 years of age. Its characteristics include bleeding from the uterus (womb). During the cycle, there is a buildup of the uterine lining. If the egg is not fertilized, the mucous membrane is shed. The female cycle is caused by an interplay of different sex hormones. These are the corpus luteum hormone (progesterone), estrogens and messenger substances that exert their effect in the brain, such as luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and gonadoliberin (GnRH). The menstrual cycle can be divided into three distinct phases. The first phase lasts from day 1 to day 4 and is called the menstrual or shedding phase. During this actual period, the body rejects the previously formed top layer of uterine mucous membrane, which is noticeable through bleeding. The second phase between the 5th and the 15th day is the growth phase. During this period, the uppermost endometrial layer is rebuilt. The third and final phase is considered the shedding phase. Between the 16th and the 28th day, the mucous membrane of the uterus prepares to receive a fertilized egg. During this process, a mucous secretion is secreted by the endometrial glands.

Function and task

The female cycle occurs because of the woman’s ability to have children. Thus, the periodic change serves to produce the most optimal conditions possible for eventual pregnancy. This is especially true for the development of the endometrium, because an egg nests in it after fertilization by male sperm. However, these perfect conditions can only be created by the body for a certain period of time. If the egg is not fertilized, the top layer of the uterine lining is shed. If a new egg cell then matures, the mucous membrane is again optimally built up to enable implantation of the cell. This constant cycle takes place between the first monthly bleeding and menopause, which marks the end of bleeding. Since the menstrual cycle does not last for the same period of time in every woman, its length can range from 25 to 35 days. While in one woman the menstrual cycle is only 26 days, in others it lasts 28 or even 31 days. An important role in the female menstrual cycle is played by the woman’s ovaries. They are located on the right and left side of the uterus and reach a size of about three centimeters. The eggs are expelled by the ovaries, the creation of which takes place before birth. Thus, there can be up to 400,000 eggs in the ovaries. Each individual egg is surrounded by a follicle (egg sac), which allows the egg to last for decades. When an egg is expelled from the ovary, it is called a follicular rupture or ovulation. However, the egg can be fertilized in a period of a few hours. If sexual intercourse occurs during this period, the man’s sperm reaches the fallopian tubes, which can result in fertilization. However, if fertilization does not take place, the egg dies. Over a period of 14 days, the corpus luteum in the ovary then regresses until it becomes scarred. At the same time, fewer hormones are produced. Because the mucous membrane of the uterus no longer receives incentives to grow, it collapses. At the same time, bleeding begins, which flushes the mucous membrane out of the woman’s body.

Diseases and ailments

If there are disturbances or complaints within the normal cycle, we talk about menstrual disorders or cycle disorders. In this case, either the extent of menstruation or the period between menstruation changes. Other possible cycle disorders include intermenstrual bleeding or the absence of periods.In rare cases, diseases are also responsible for menstrual disorders. If menstruation fails to occur without pregnancy, this usually has organic or hormonal causes. In this case, a specialist should be consulted. The causes of menstrual disorders are manifold. If the interval between two cycles lasts more than 35 days, doctors speak of oligomenorrhea, which is characterized by short and weak bleeding. Oligomenorrhea is usually triggered by excessive strains and stress. Sometimes, however, ovarian cysts can also be the cause of a long cycle. Another possible condition is polymenorrhea. In this case, the cycle lasts less than 21 days. A possible reason for this is a lack of ovulation or ovulation that occurs too early. A shortened corpus luteum phase can also be considered as a trigger. In addition to menopause, various diseases can also be associated with cycle disorders. These include polycystic ovary syndrome (PCO syndrome), cervical cancer, menorrhagia or Turner syndrome. If an organic disorder is the cause of the menstrual irregularity, a specialist must be consulted. Depending on the underlying disorder, the woman may receive antibiotics (for bacterial inflammation) or hormonal preparations.