All healthy women go through a monthly menstrual cycle. This cycle indicates that the woman is in good reproductive health and the body is ready to become pregnant. Let us understand what the menstrual cycle is all about.
The Reproductive Organs in a Woman’s BodyThe following are the reproductive organs in a woman’s body.
While the lining of the uterus is thickening, the egg travels down the fallopian tubes in order to meet the sperm. If a sperm fertilizes the egg, a pregnancy can occur. The egg can last for up to 24 hours. After 24 hours, the egg is absorbed back into the body. The uterus gets the signal that there is to be no pregnancy, and the thick lining starts to come away. While the lining is coming away, the uterus may contract to aid the process along. When the muscular walls of the uterus contract, they may press upon blood vessels supplying the uterus, temporarily cutting off its blood supply and triggering period pain.
The lining of the womb exits your body through the vagina mixed with blood. Thus, your menstrual cycle effectively starts when the uterus is shedding its lining in preparation for the next egg and next possible pregnancy. Mid way through, there is ovulation. If the egg is not fertilized, the lining starts to come away, and the next menstrual cycle begins.
The menstrual cycle begins when girls hit puberty, usually between the ages of 8 to 14. The cycle continues till after menopause, which begins in the late 40s to mid-50s.
The Reproductive Organs in a Woman’s BodyThe following are the reproductive organs in a woman’s body.
- Two ovaries- where eggs are developed, stored and released
- Uterus- also known as the womb, where a fertilized egg implants when pregnancy develops
- Fallopian tubes- two narrow tubes that connect the ovaries to the uterus
- Cervix- the lower part of the uterus that connects to the vagina
- Vagina- a muscular tube going from the cervix to outside the body
While the lining of the uterus is thickening, the egg travels down the fallopian tubes in order to meet the sperm. If a sperm fertilizes the egg, a pregnancy can occur. The egg can last for up to 24 hours. After 24 hours, the egg is absorbed back into the body. The uterus gets the signal that there is to be no pregnancy, and the thick lining starts to come away. While the lining is coming away, the uterus may contract to aid the process along. When the muscular walls of the uterus contract, they may press upon blood vessels supplying the uterus, temporarily cutting off its blood supply and triggering period pain.
The lining of the womb exits your body through the vagina mixed with blood. Thus, your menstrual cycle effectively starts when the uterus is shedding its lining in preparation for the next egg and next possible pregnancy. Mid way through, there is ovulation. If the egg is not fertilized, the lining starts to come away, and the next menstrual cycle begins.
The menstrual cycle begins when girls hit puberty, usually between the ages of 8 to 14. The cycle continues till after menopause, which begins in the late 40s to mid-50s.