kuukautiskierrot

Kuukautiskierrot, also known as menstrual cycles, are a series of natural changes in hormone production and the tissues of the uterus and ovaries that occur each month in sexually mature females. The primary purpose of the cycle is to prepare the body for a potential pregnancy.

The menstrual cycle typically lasts around 28 days, though variations are common and considered normal. It is divided into several phases. The menstrual phase, commonly referred to as a period, is when the uterine lining sheds if pregnancy has not occurred, resulting in bleeding. This phase usually lasts for 3 to 7 days. Following menstruation is the follicular phase, during which an egg matures within an ovary. Simultaneously, the uterine lining begins to thicken in preparation for a fertilized egg.

The ovulatory phase, or ovulation, occurs around the middle of the cycle, when a mature egg is released from the ovary and travels down the fallopian tube. This is the time when pregnancy is most likely to occur. The final phase is the luteal phase, where the body prepares for potential pregnancy by maintaining the thickened uterine lining. If fertilization does not happen, hormone levels drop, leading to the shedding of the uterine lining and the start of a new menstrual cycle. Factors such as stress, illness, and weight changes can influence the regularity of menstrual cycles.