It’s that time again: your monthly cycle! But do you know the stages of your menstrual cycle? By understanding your cycle, you can learn what’s normal and what’s irregular.
What’s Happening During Your Menstrual Cycle?
Your menstrual cycle is a 28-day process caused by the rise and fall of your hormone levels. The specific events happening during your menstrual cycle are separated into four phases.
- Menses Phase (Day 1 – 5): This phase begins on the first day of your period. If you aren't pregnant, the lining of your uterus sheds and causes bleeding for three to five days.
- Follicular Phase (Day 6 – 14): The phase begins on the day you get your period and ends at ovulation. Your estrogen levels rise and cause the lining of your uterus to grow and thicken. The follicles in your ovaries are also growing. Between days 10 – 14, one of your follicles will form a mature egg.
- Ovulation (Day 14): This phase occurs around day 14 in a 28-day menstrual cycle. Your ovary releases its egg after a sudden increase in hormones.
- Luteal Phase (Day 15 – 28): The phase is between days 15 and 28. Your egg leaves your ovary and travels through your fallopian tubes into your uterus. If your egg is fertilized and attaches to your uterine wall, you're pregnant! If pregnancy doesn't occur, estrogen and progesterone levels drop and the thick lining of your uterus sheds during your period.
What is a “Normal” Period?
While the menstrual cycle process is the same for everyone, the cycles themselves can vary from person to person. Your cycle is considered normal if:
- your cycle (days between your periods) is 21 – 35 days in length
- your period lasts around 3 – 7 days
How Can You Tell When It's Time for Your Period?
Just like the cycle itself, symptoms of menstruation are different for each person. A few common signs that it's your time of the month are:
- cramps
- mood changes
- trouble sleeping
- headaches
- food cravings
- bloating
- breast tenderness
- acne
What Can Impact Your Cycle?
It's normal for your period to vary from month to month. You may find you're bleeding heavier or for a longer amount of time. You may have irregular cycles that don't always line up with your calendar. These factors and a variety of others can impact your menstrual cycle:
- Metabolism and diet. Your body needs energy to complete your menstrual cycle. You may stop ovulating if you aren't getting enough calories, are underweight or are exercising heavily. Being overweight can also affect your hormone levels and your cycle.
- Hormone regulation. Certain medications like birth control and other medical conditions can cause changes in your cycle.
- Stress and sleep. Both can affect your body's hormone levels and cause an irregular cycle.
What is an Irregular Period?
Wondering if your periods are “normal?" A few examples of an irregular period are:
- less than 21 days or more than 35 days apart
- not having a period for 90 days
- bleeding that is significantly heavier or lighter than usual
- bleeding for more than seven days
- severe pain, cramping, nausea or vomiting
- spotting between periods
If you're concerned your period may be irregular or have questions about your cycle, consult with your provider.
Resources for TRS-Active Care and TRS-Care Standard
Provider Finder®
Use Provider Finder® to search for an in-network OB-GYN that fits your needs.
Ovia Fertility & Cycle Tracker
Your TRS-ActiveCare plan includes the Ovia Fertility & Cycle Tracker at no additional cost to you! To get started with Ovia:
- Download any of the Ovia Health apps from the Apple App Store or on Google Play.
- When signing up, choose I have Ovia Health as a benefit
- Then select Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas as your health plan.
Resources for TRS-Care Medicare
Annual Wellness Visits
Your plan covers one physical exam and one wellness visit per calendar year. You can ask your provider to combine the visits into one convenient annual care appointment. You and your provider can work as a team to create a preventive care plan for the year.