Menstruation

 A menstrual cycle [the female reproductive cycle] is episodic uterine bleeding in response to cyclic hormonal
changes.
 Purpose: to bring an ovum to maturity and renew a uterine tissue bed that will be necessary for the ova’s growth
should it be fertilized.
 Menstruation is the shedding of the lining of the uterus (endometrium) accompanied by bleeding
 It occurs in approximately monthly cycles throughout a woman’s reproductive life, except during pregnancy.
 Menstruation starts during puberty (menarche-beginning)

Characteristics of a normal menstrual cycle

CHARACTERISTIC
Beginning (menarche)
Interval between cycles
Duration of menstrual flow
Amount of menstrual flow
Colour of menstrual flow
Odor
DESCRIPTION
Average age at onset, 12
years; average range 9-17
years
Average 28 days; cycles of
23-35 days not unusual
Average flow, 4-6 days,
ranges of 2-9 days not
abnormal
Difficult to estimate;
average of 30-80ml per
menstrual period
Dark red; a combination of
blood, mucus, and
endothelial cells
Similar to marigolds

PHASES OF MENSTRUAL FLOW

Proliferative Secretory Ischemic Menses

Endometrium Formation of If [-] fertilization, Menses or
begins to progesterone in the corpus luteum in menstrual flow is a
proliferate corpus luteum of the ovary begin to mixture of blood
the ovary gland regress after 8-10 from ruptured
Estrogen causing the
increases endometrium to
days capillaries; mucin;
making the become corkscrew fragments of
endometrial or twisted in Progesterone and endometrial tissues
lining thicker appearance and estrogen production and the
before ovulation dilated with regresses microscopic,
quantities of protein atrophied and
Also termed as and mucin under With the withdrawal unfertilized ovum
estrogenic, the direction of LH of progesterone,
follicular the endometrium of Menses is the end
phase Also termed as
luteal
the uterus begin to of the menstrual
progestational, or degenerate ( at cycle
premenstrual about 24 or 25 days
phase of the cycle) Iron loss is
Capillaries rupture approximately
with minute 11mg
hemorrhages and
the endometrium Iron supplement
slough off needed to prevent
iron depletion.