Pregnancy Signs & Symptoms, Week by Week Pregnancy Guide

In case you are thinking about the menstrual cycle and pregnancy, you should know that ovulation is one of the most important things that you have to think about if you want to get pregnant or you want to avoid pregnancy.

If you have the needed information you will be able to feel as in charge.

Pregnancy and menstrual cycle

All the changes during the menstrual cycle are caused by the fluctuations of the hormones. Usually the cycles of women last for 29 days and it is normal to have small variations from one cycle to the other. The first day of the bleeding is considered to be the first day of the menstrual cycle.

If you are interested about the menstrual period and pregnancy, it is good to know that the menstrual cycle lasts from the first day of the bleeding until the last day before the following menstrual period. In the majority of the cases ovulation takes place during the 14^th day of the menstrual cycle.

Ovulation is the process during which a mature egg is released by the ovaries. The egg travels down the fallopian tubes, waiting for the sperm to be fertilized. In the same time the lining of the uterus thickens.

When it comes to pregnancy and menstrual cycle, if the egg doesn’t get fertilized, it disintegrates in 24-48 hours, the endometrium sheds and the uterus is cleared out. This is known as the menstrual period. The cycle can be divided into two phases: uterine cycle and ovarian cycle.

Ovarian cycle, menstrual cycle and pregnancy

The first phase of this process is the follicular phase. This starts on the first day of your period and it ends when ovulation occurs. It has this name because the egg develops in the follicles of the ovaries. The egg is released from the ovaries because there is a surge of the luteinizing hormone

Luteal phase

In case you would like to know about pregnancy and period it is good to know that this phase starts at ovulation and it lasts until the next period. The phase usually lasts for 12-16 days. It is important to remember that the time of ovulation determines the length of your menstrual period.

Uterine cycle

If you would like to know more about menstrual cycle and pregnancy, you should know that this phase is all about the changes in the uterus. These happen simultaneously with the ovarian cycles. There is the proliferative phase that involves the period and the time before ovulation when the endometrium thickens.

The next phase regarding period and pregnancy is the secretory phase. This is the phase after ovulation. If the egg isn’t fertilized, the progesterone and estrogen levels drop and the lining of the uterus will shed, leading to your period.

You should know that the menstrual cycle and pregnancy are closely related because the changes occurring during the menstrual cycle make it possible for you to get pregnant.