Menstruation

  MENSTRUATION  PHASES OF MENSTRUAL PHASE ã Women experience menstruation for an average of 35 to 40 years of their lives. Since each menstrual period lasts for about five days amonth, most women have to deal with it for more than six and a half years over their lifetimes. Menstruation is an important process in women’s bodies.   ã There are 4 phases in the menstrual process:  1. PROLIFERATIVE (FOLLICULAR)PHASE ã Day 1-5 ã During this phase, a primary follicle begins to grow in the ovary,induced by a follicle-stimulating hormone secreted from the pituitarygland. As the follicle matures and the estrogen hormone is secreted,the uterine lining starts to gradually thicken.  2. OVULATION ã Day 6-10 ã The ovum bursts out of its follicle when the levels of the follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and the luteinizing hormone (LH) reachtheir peaks, stimulating the matured follicle. This is referred to asovulation. Some women experience lower abdominal pain at thistime.