The "typical" cycle is 28 days, hence reference to a lunar cycle. On day 1, the uterus sheds its lining which was there and prepared to become pregnant. The shedding is the "period" and usually lasts about five days. The uterus then begins to develop a new, nutrient rich lining to feed the fertilized egg. About fourteen days after the first day of bleeding, an egg is released from one of the ovaries and travels daow the fallopian tubes to the uterus. Fertilization would take place in the tube and a fertilized egg would move into the uterus and implant in the rich lining. Voila, pregnancy!
If fertilization does not take place, the egg drops on through the cervical os and out the vagina. In rare instances the woman can actually see the egg in her pants. The chance of pregnancy is now over and the hormones in her system change. They hit a low point (physically, psychologically, emotionally) a few days before her next period. Many of us (me) feel lousy for these few days. And the the flow starts and the cycle begins all over again.
All of this is orchestrated by the mixture of estrogen and progestin in the bloodstream. This all seems too perfect and, inf act, younger women, especially, tend to be highly irregular in both menstruating and ovulating. Pregnancy is possible any day of the cycle although more likely in mid-cycle. While the typical cycle is 28 days, they can vary from 23-35 days. In young teens, little periods appear and disappear and are often referred to as spotting. The variation in hormones in puberty confuse the body and the period appears to start and stop randomly.
OP Brandye 09/06/2007
Posted: 23 Sep 03:44