Getting Pregnant: Hormones and the Menstrual Cycle
Hormones run our bodies and the menstrual cycle is not different. They control the when an egg is released (ovulation) and when the lining of the uterus is shed (menstruation). Menstruation is necessary for reproduction and is considered the hallmark beginning of the reproductive years of women. When young women begin their periods the time is called menses and at the end of a woman’s child bearing years the period is called menopause. Many times women have questions about what is normal and what isn’t in their menstrual cycles. Sometimes, when trying to get pregnant women aren’t sure what is happening with their bodies, when they are fertile or if there is a time of the month that is more fertile than others. All women should have a basic knowledge of what is happening in their bodies to help their physician diagnose any problems if they come up. Your menstrual cycles are actually counted from the start of your bleeding of one cycle to the 1st day of bleeding of the next NOT from the ...