Decoding Your Menstrual Cycle

How well do you know your body? Get ready to decode the highs and lows, cravings, crankiness, and everything in between. Welcome to the (oh-so-wonderful) world where hormones rule.

What’s a Menstrual Cycle

Menstruation, also known as a period, is a normal part of a woman’s reproductive cycle. According to the Cleveland Clinic, the onset of menstruation typically occurs between the ages of 9 and 15. While periods may be irregular at first, they may eventually settle into a predictable cycle occurring every 21 to 35 days.¹

4 stages of the menstrual cycles

Your menstrual cycle is divided into 4 stages:¹

Menstruation:

This marks the start of your period. As your body begins shedding the lining of your uterus, you may experience cramps and back pain. Typically, this stage lasts 3 to 8 days.¹

Follicular phase:

The pituitary gland releases follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) which is necessary for the growth of follicles in your ovaries. One of these follicles will eventually mature and release an egg.¹

Ovulation:

Around 12-16 days before the start of your next menstruation cycle, a mature egg is released from the ovary. This is the time when you are most fertile.¹

Luteal phase:

Post ovulation, the follicle transforms into the corpus luteum, which produces progesterone and prepares the uterine lining for a potential pregnancy.¹

How cycles evolve over a woman's lifetime

Menstrual Cycles in Your Tween/Teen Years

Going through puberty, your body undergoes many changes that are both emotional and physical. One of the most important changes is your first period. While the age you get your first period depends on many factors, such as your family history, on average girls in the United States get their first flow around 12.²

In the early years, your average menstrual cycle length can be irregular and unpredictable.² You might even skip it for months at a time, but in time your menstrual cycle will find its rhythm and should settle into a more regular pattern. Common physical changes include pubic and underarm hair growth, skin changes like acne breakouts, body odor, and breast development.³

Puberty is also a rollercoaster of emotional changes that can be very challenging; mood swings, irritability, and anxiety are common experiences.³

Menstrual Cycles in Your 20s and 30s

Get ready for a smoother ride in your 20s! Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) symptoms typically start to mellow out by now: generally, your flows become lighter and more predictable, and cramps become less painful.³ This is also the time when women become more attuned to their bodies and some may start to question whether their symptoms of menstruation are common or something more serious like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) or endometriosis.³ If your period flow is super heavy, longer than usual, or very painful, be sure to reach out to your healthcare professional and let them know what’s going on.³ Your 20s are a time of peak fertility, but everyone's journey is different. As you reach your 30s, don't feel pressured to conform to societal expectations about motherhood. Effective birth control options are a great way to take charge of your reproductive health, but remember that fertility starts to decline in your 30s. If motherhood is on your wish list, use the Clearblue® Advanced Digital Ovulation Test along with the Clearblue® Period & Cycle Tracker App to learn more about your cycle.

Menstrual Cycles in Your 40s and 50s

Similar to the unpredictable nature of periods in adolescence, your 40s and 50s bring about significant changes in your menstruation cycle.

Perimenopause

While it can begin as early as your mid-30s, symptoms of perimenopause are more common in your 40s.³ Hormonal fluctuations during perimenopause can cause irregular bleeding patterns, including unexpected spotting, heavier flow, and changes in the duration of your menstrual cycle.³

While an irregular menstrual cycle is a common sign of perimenopause, it isn’t a definitive sign, pay attention to further signs such as a drier-than-usual vagina, hot flashes, night sweats, and moodiness.³

Call your healthcare professional if you experience anything unusual.

Menopause

Menopause is something all women will go through and is officially complete when she has gone 12 consecutive months without a period. It is a natural transition marking the end of a woman’s menstruation cycle as well as her reproductive years.³

Some women may experience vaginal dryness (called vaginal atrophy) or tightness which can make sex painful. Another common condition is urinary incontinence, the involuntary leakage of urine that may appear postmenopause due to reduced estrogen levels and a thinning of the lining of the urethra.⁴

Common Concerns

By understanding your menstrual cycle and recognizing your physical and mental changes, you can proactively address any emerging health concerns that may come along. Seeking appropriate medical care and staying educated is key.

Related Articles

• What is menopause?

• Understanding your menstrual cycle

• 6 period myths we need to debunk right now