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Menstrual cycle: What's normal, what's not
Your menstrual cycle can say a lot about your health. Understand how to start tracking your menstrual cycle and what to do about irregularities.
By Mayo Clinic staffDo you know when your last menstrual period began or how long it lasted? If not, it might be time to start paying attention. Tracking your menstrual cycles can help you understand what's normal for you, time ovulation and identify important changes — such as a missed period or unpredictable menstrual bleeding. While menstrual cycle irregularities usually aren't serious, sometimes they can signal health problems.
What's the menstrual cycle?
The menstrual cycle is the monthly series of changes a woman's body goes through in preparation for the possibility of pregnancy. Each month, one of the ovaries releases an egg — a process called ovulation. At the same time, hormonal changes prepare the uterus for pregnancy. If ovulation takes place and the egg isn't fertilized, the lining of the uterus sheds through the vagina. This is a menstrual period.
What's normal?
The menstrual cycle, which is counted from the first day of one period to the first day of the next, isn't the same for every woman. Menstrual flow may occur every 21 to 35 days and last two to seven days. For the first few years after menstruation begins, long cycles are common. However, menstrual cycles tend to shorten and become more regular as you age. Your menstrual cycle may be regular — about the same length every month — or somewhat irregular, and your period may be light or heavy, painful or pain-free, long or short, and still be considered normal. Within a broad range, normal is what's normal for you.
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- Menstruation and the menstrual cycle. The National Women's Health Information Center. http://www.womenshealth.gov/faq/menstruation.pdf. Accessed Oct. 13, 2010.
- Menstruation and the menstrual cycle. National Institute of Child Health & Human Development. http://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/menstruation_and_the_menstrual_cycle.cfm. Accessed Oct. 13, 2010.
- Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). The National Women's Health Information Center. http://www.womenshealth.gov/faq/polycystic-ovary-syndrome.pdf. Accessed Oct. 13, 2010.
- Amenorrhea. National Institute of Child Health & Human Development. http://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/amenorrhea.cfm. Accessed Oct. 13, 2010.
- Menstruation. American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. http://www.acog.org/publications/patient_education/bp049.cfm. Accessed Oct. 13, 2010.
- Welt CK. Evaluation of the menstrual cycle and timing of ovulation. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Oct. 13, 2010.
- Welt CK. The normal menstrual cycle. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Oct. 13, 2010.
- Ovarian cysts. American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. http://www.acog.org/publications/patient_education/bp075.cfm. Accessed Oct. 14, 2010.
- Pelvic inflammatory disease. American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. http://www.acog.org/publications/patient_education/bp077.cfm. Accessed Oct. 14, 2010.
- Gallenberg MM (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Oct. 19, 2010.
- Harms RW (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Nov. 8, 2010.
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