Monthly cycle

Menstrual cycle of the woman - the basis for new life

Discover your menstrual cycle and determine your fertility!

The menstrual cycle of women, controlled by a complex interaction of different hormones, forms the basis for the occurrence of pregnancy and the emergence of new life. Get to know your personal menstrual cycle better now and calculate your fertile and infertile phases!

Overview of the contents of the monthly cycle

Basics of the monthly cycle

A woman's menstrual cycle refers to the diverse and complex processes required for the emergence of a new life. These include the maturation of an egg in the ovaries, ovulation, and the best possible preparation of the uterus for possible implantation.

A "normal" menstrual cycle is 23 to 35 days long, but about 5% of cycles last longer than 35 days. A particularly short or long menstrual cycle can also be perfectly normal. As long as you ovulate regularly and your uterine lining can build up enough, there is usually nothing to stop you getting pregnant. On the other hand, this also means that you can theoretically become pregnant even if your menstrual cycle is very short, and if you do not want to, you must take appropriate precautions.

For you, your menstrual cycle is mainly indicated by your menstruation. However, menstruation is only the tip of the iceberg: numerous other processes take place in your body, most of which you are unaware of. These processes are controlled by several hormones that influence each other.

Cycle day 1: Everything starts with menstruation

Cycle day one was set as the first day of menstruation. This was done mainly because menstruation is the only really clear and easily recognizable sign. Thus, every woman can recognize the beginning of a new cycle by herself. In addition, the onset of menstruation is also considered a very sure sign that no implantation has taken place and therefore there is no pregnancy.

Menstruation lasts an average of three to five days and you lose about 1,01 fl.oz. to 2,02 fl.oz of blood. Usually the second day of menstruation is the one with the heaviest bleeding. However, these are only average values. There are women for whom menstruation is spread over seven days or is much heavier.

Many women suffer from menstrual cramps, water retention or mood swings during menstruation. This is due to the hormones involved as well as the fact that the muscles of the uterus contract in a spasmodic manner to expel the mucous membrane that is no longer needed. The pain can vary greatly from woman to woman.

There are many ways to relieve period pain; here are some natural tips:

  •     Heat: A hot bath, hot water bottle or a grain pillow can help with the muscle cramps
  •     Abdominal massage: A mixture of jojoba and marjoram oil has proven to be particularly effective in this regard
  •     Magnesium: Abundant in nuts and green smoothies, supports the muscles
  •     Tea: Chamomile, yarrow and goose cinquefoil are also said to contribute to relaxation.
  •     Yoga: Conscious breathing and special postures can relieve the pain

Phase 1: Follicular phase or egg maturation phase

The follicular phase, also called the egg maturation phase, begins with the first day of menstruation and lasts until ovulation. This phase of the monthly cycle can vary greatly in length from woman to woman as well as from cycle to cycle. Stress, poor diet and other harmful influences can also greatly affect the length of this phase. Thus, the first half of the cycle can last from a few days to several weeks.

During the follicular phase, several eggs mature in the ovaries, but only one of them matures to the point where it is later transferred to the oviduct during ovulation. From which ovary an egg ultimately "jumps" into the fallopian tube is random and unpredictable. It is quite possible that in two consecutive cycles, the egg comes from the same ovary both times. If there is only one functioning ovary left, it will take over completely, so there will be ovulation in the remaining ovary in each cycle. This means that the chances of pregnancy in women with only one ovary left are in principle just as high as in women who still have both ovaries.

In addition to egg maturation, the follicular phase also marks the start of the renewed build-up of the uterine lining. When this process begins varies greatly and is in turn controlled by hormones.

The climax of the menstrual cycle: ovulation

Ovulation is not a phase in its own right, but rather describes the time between the two halves of the cycle. On the day of ovulation, a mature egg, about 0.0039 inch in diameter, is transferred from the ovary into the oviduct. Some women recognize ovulation by a sharp pain, sometimes lasting for several hours, called mittelschmerz.

Ovulation occurs on the 14th or 15th day of the cycle in only about 25% of women. In about 60% of women, it does not occur until after the 14th day of the cycle, and in only about 5% does it occur on the 11th day of the cycle or even earlier. In addition, the time of ovulation can shift at any time, even in an otherwise regular monthly cycle. Determining ovulation using a calendar (calendar method) is therefore purely a game of chance and in no way suitable for avoiding pregnancy!

Ovulation is also initiated by the interaction of hormones. Shortly before ovulation, the estrogen concentration in the blood is at its highest. Hormone levels of lutenizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) also peak at the time of ovulation.

Fertilization of the ruptured egg can only occur in the outer third of the fallopian tube and only during the first 12-18 hours after ovulation. After successful fertilization, the egg must still migrate to the uterus to attempt implantation. This migration takes about three to four days.  During this time, the uterine lining, which is only moderately thick so far, is built up even further.

Phase 2: Corpus luteum or luteal phase

The second half of the cycle, the so-called luteal phase, lies between ovulation and the onset of the next menstrual period. In all healthy women, it lasts between 10 and 16 days. Due to the increase in progesterone levels, the mucous membrane continues to build up and is optimally prepared for the implantation of the fertilized egg.

If fertilization does not take place, the egg dissolves and is absorbed. Due to a sharp drop in hormones at the end of the menstrual cycle, the body gives the signal to reject the uterine lining. This leads to the next menstrual period and the menstrual cycle begins again.

Monthly cycle during pregnancy and breastfeeding

If the egg is fertilized in time and successfully, it can subsequently implant in the uterine wall with a 25-30 percent probability. Only when this implantation is successful, the pregnancy is finally confirmed by the doctor. In advance, home pregnancy tests or blood tests at the doctor's office can suggest the likelihood of pregnancy.

During pregnancy, no further ovulation takes place, thus double fertilization is impossible. This is also due to the fact that the cervix is tightly closed and also the cervical mucus makes it almost impossible for further sperm to get through.

When the menstrual cycle occurs again after birth depends on how long and intensively breastfeeding takes place and how high the prolactin level is. The hormone prolactin suppresses FSH and LH release, which is necessary for egg maturation. However, how prolactin levels develop during breastfeeding varies greatly from individual to individual. Despite breastfeeding, some women have a regular menstrual cycle again just a few weeks after giving birth, while for others it takes a few months after weaning before the menstrual cycle returns to its usual pattern.

In addition, it should be noted that the first menstrual period after pregnancy means that ovulation has already occurred again. So one is already fertile again before the first menstruation! Therefore, breastfeeding can not protect against another pregnancy.

Overview menstrual cycle:

  •     Average duration: 23 to 35 days
  •     1st day of cycle = 1st day of menstruation
  •     Phase 1: Egg maturation phase until ovulation
  •     Ovulation: Oocyte jumps into the oviduct
  •     Phase 2: Corpus luteum phase until the next menstrual period
  •     Pregnancy: Fertilization + ovum implants
  •     No pregnancy: Oocyte dies + menstruation

Menstrual cycle woman: phases of fertility

A woman's fertility during the monthly cycle is always the same: there are both fertile and infertile phases within the cycle. The length of the infertile phase can vary and depends on the length of the cycle. The fertile phase, on the other hand, is always a maximum of six days long, regardless of the length of the menstrual cycle.

The highest fertility occurs on the day of ovulation. On this day, there is the greatest probability that a pregnancy can be induced through sexual intercourse. But even on up to five days before ovulation, sex can lead to fertilization and subsequent pregnancy. This is due to the fact that the sperm can wait for several days in the woman's egg cells. How long this survival period is depends on the quality and speed of the sperm cells and varies from man to man. If the sperm survive only three days, the fertile period is only four days long. On all other days, pregnancy cannot be induced by sexual intercourse.

Timing is therefore crucial if you wish to have a child. Only if the fertile days are recognized and optimally used can the chance of a quick pregnancy be maximized. On the other hand, this also means that knowledge about one's own fertility can be used to specifically avoid pregnancy by abstaining on the fertile days. However, this method of Natural Family Planning only works if one's own fertility can be determined perfectly and safely. This is possible in various ways.

Signs of the body - recognizing fertility

The female body gives a number of signs that the fertile phase is about to begin or has already begun. Some of the changes inside the female body can also be seen or measured from the outside.

One of the most measurable signs is the rise in basal body temperature just before ovulation. Basal body temperature is the internal body temperature measured at absolute rest. Usually, this means measuring before you first get up and after you have had enough restful sleep to get correct readings.

Another measurable sign is the increase in lutenizing hormone (LH) in the first morning urine. This rise is made visible by special ovulation tests that are held briefly in the midstream of the morning urine. Based on the LH rise, the chance of pregnancy can be increased by having sex on the days recognized as fertile.

In addition to these two signs, which can be measured with tools, there are also physical signals that can be detected with a little experience by observation and palpation. One of these signs is the change in cervical mucus. The cervical mucus is formed at the mouth of the uterus and on infertile days ensures that as few germs or sperm cells as possible can enter the uterus. On fertile days, the consistency of the mucus changes in such a way that the sperm are given the best possible support on their way to the fallopian tube. With a little practice and close observation, this individual change can be easily recognized and interpreted as a sign of one's own fertility.

The second physical signal, which can also be recognized without tools, is the change in the cervix. The cervix can be felt and its texture assessed with a little practice. Within the fertile days it feels softer, lies a little further back in the vagina and is slightly open. In the infertile phase, on the other hand, it protrudes further into the vagina, is firm and closed. It requires a few cycles of practice and then gives a first indication of the current fertility status.

Signals of your fertility at a glance:

  •     Increase in basal body temperature shortly before ovulation
  •     Increase in lutenizing hormone (LH) in morning urine
  •     Changes in cervical mucus
  •     Changes in the cervix

To use these signs in the context of Natural Family Planning (NFP) to monitor the menstrual cycle and determine fertility, there are two options: Manual calculation using the Symptothermal Method or use of a cycle computer such as Lady-Comp or Pearly.

Monitor menstrual cycle for natural family planning

In the Symptothermal Method, taking the basal body temperature in the morning is combined with another physical sign, such as examining the cervical mucus, to obtain the most reliable result possible.

For the temperature measurement, a particularly accurate thermometer is required, which shows the temperature to two digits. The measurement should be taken lying down, rectally or vaginally and for a period of five minutes before getting up for the first time. This is the only way to ensure that a truly accurate result is obtained. Subsequently, the result is entered into a temperature curve (manually or via app).

In the case of cervical mucus observation, consistency and color are usually classified according to a fixed scheme and also entered.

The time of ovulation is then determined using fixed rules. If the monthly cycle is regular and ovulation could be clearly identified, the period from the second day after ovulation until the onset of the next menstrual period is considered safely infertile. Depending on the method, the length of the cycle and the regularity of the menstrual cycle, there are additional days in the first half of the cycle that are considered infertile.

A major disadvantage of the symptothermal method is the relatively large amount of time and discipline required. This method is only safe if it is used consistently and carried out meticulously.

If you don't have time or don't want to deal with your monthly cycle and your fertility in such detail, we have good news for you: It is also easier, more comfortable and faster!

The new Lady-Comp

Natural family planning with Lady-Comp and Pearly

For all women who want to focus on Natural Family Planning in their lives, but do not want to invest so much time, we have developed Lady-Comp or Pearly. Our cycle computers have been successfully on the market for over 30 years, helping women worldwide to live and love in harmony with their bodies.

In order for our cycle computers to show you very accurately whether you are fertile, you only need to take your basal body temperature briefly in the morning. With Lady-Comp or Pearly this can be done comfortably under the tongue and takes only about 60 seconds!

Immediately afterwards, your fertility status is displayed with a colored light in the traffic light system. Red means you are currently fertile and can try to get pregnant with sexual intercourse. Green means you are currently not fertile.

In addition to your current fertility status, Lady-Comp or Pearly also provide you with a lot of additional information about you and your monthly cycle.

Advantages of our cycle computers at a glance:

  •     Very high accuracy - 100% natural!
  •     Fast measurement only about 60 seconds
  •     Convenient measurement under the tongue
  •     Current fertility via color display
  •     Measured value and cycle day
  •     Fertility and ovulation prognosis
  •     6 months menstruation prognosis
  •     Average cycle length
  •     BMI (Body Mass Index)
  •     Alarm clock

With Lady-Comp or Pearly you always keep an eye on your menstrual cycle: fast, comfortable and safe. Get to know your menstrual cycle and plan your life the way you want it!

Your body, your menstrual cycle, your choice!

The new Lady-Comp