5 Interesting Facts About Menstrual Cycle You Must Know

The menstrual cycle is one of the most important aspects of a woman’s Health, but it can also be the least understood. The truth is that every woman’s cycle is different.

When you think about menstruation, do you associate it with cramps, bloating, and mood swings? While all those symptoms are real and can significantly affect your life, there’s so much more to your menstrual cycle than the period itself. If you’re pregnant or planning to get pregnant, your menstrual cycle plays a vital role in your due date calculator.

# It Is Okay To Skip Your Period

It’s normal to miss a period once in a while. It could just be your body’s response to stress or changes in your eating or exercise habits.

But if you’re on the pill and miss your period, it’s time to get concerned. If you’re not pregnant, there could be something wrong with how the pill works for you.

It’s safe to skip your period while taking birth control, but it might not be the best idea if you’re trying to avoid pregnancy. Some types of birth control are designed specifically for women who don’t want to have their period each month, so talk to your healthcare provider about those options if this is an issue for you.

# You Can Get Pregnant if You Have Sex During Your Period

The age-old myth has been nipped in the bud: Your period doesn’t protect you from pregnancy. Many assume you can’t get pregnant while on your period and won’t have a period if you’re pregnant. We hate to break it to you, but neither of these assumptions is true.

Though you typically ovulate about 14 days after the start of your period, some people can ovulate unpredictably.

# Heavy periods could mean you have a hormone imbalance

Heavy periods could mean you have a hormone imbalance. Some women experience heavier than regular periods; however, if you are wondering what constitutes a heavy period, we recommend you consult your doctor.

Hormone imbalances can also cause irregularity in the menstrual cycle which involves changes in the frequency and length of your period. Symptoms of hormone imbalances include irregular periods, heavy bleeding, and pain during sex or ovulation (the release of an egg from your ovaries).

# Probably Lose a Lot Less Blood Than You Think

You may be wondering how much blood you lose during your period. It may seem like a lot, but you’re only losing between 30 and 40 milliliters, or two to three tablespoons, of blood during menstruation. But some researchTrusted Source suggests that this figure may be closer to 60 milliliters, or about four tablespoons.

Another research by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says women lose between 10 and 35ml of blood throughout each period. This is only around 1 – 2 tablespoons of blood, and it is spread over five days, so it probably isn’t as much as you think!

# The menstrual cycle is tied to brain activity

Notice how you feel a little bit off during your period? Well, it turns out that’s not just in your head. A new study has found that the menstrual cycle is tied to brain activity and that cells in a brain region called the hippocampus generate different types of receptors for the brain chemical GABA during various menstrual cycle phases. These changes may affect a woman’s susceptibility to anxiety, depression, and seizures.

The new study suggests that these changes could be related to the shift from high estrogen levels during the follicular phase (when ovulation occurs) to low during the luteal phase (when progesterone levels rise).