a) Phases of the Menstrual Cycle:
Menstruation is the blood flow from a woman’s vagina that occurs every 28 days. The number of days varies among women anywhere from 23 to 35 days. A woman usually starts to menstruate during puberty, about 9 or 12 years of age until she is about 40 or 50 years old. What happens during the phases in the menstrual cycle? i.
Starts on first day of menses • If the egg is not fertilized, the thickened uterine lining will be shed off. • Woman observes bleeding which indicates that there is no pregnancy. • This is the first day of the menstrual bleeding. • The phase includes all days of menstrual bleeding which usually last 3-5 days.
ii.
Pre-ovulatory phase • Bleeding has stopped. • Egg cells begin to develop. • Lining of the uterus starts to thicken. • Mucus forms a plug. This mucus prevents entry of sperms. • A woman experiences dry feeling and no mucus. • The pre-ovulatory is the infertile phase which includes all dry days after the menstrual bleeding stops.
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Pre - Marriage Counseling Nurturing the Marriage and Family - A Content Guide