How her cycle works? Some advice for a man

[Lyon]

Hi eveyrone, firstly if I'm wasiting anybodys time I apologise now. Right simple question is there a way I can figure out how my girlfriends menstral cycle works. I have some ideas of how it works but not sure, I have some txts of her on my phone off her telling me she has pmt and they are all round 7th to the 11th of each month, and today is the 6th and she's made it clear to me that she's 'grumpy' thats our code word. So again start of the month and it all kinda fits in place. I just think its a very intimate thing for me to learn and I would love if someone could just explain to me. My understanding is that she will be a bit grupmy for bout a week. Thanx any help anybody can provide would be appreciated and again I apologise if I'm just rammpling and not making any sense or if I've offened anyone. Thanx again!

[Brandye]

The "typical" cycle is 28 days, hence reference to a lunar cycle. On day 1, the uterus sheds its lining which was there and prepared to become pregnant. The shedding is the "period" and usually lasts about five days. The uterus then begins to develop a new, nutrient rich lining to feed the fertilized egg. About fourteen days after the first day of bleeding, an egg is released from one of the ovaries and travels daow the fallopian tubes to the uterus. Fertilization would take place in the tube and a fertilized egg would move into the uterus and implant in the rich lining. Voila, pregnancy!

If fertilization does not take place, the egg drops on through the cervical os and out the vagina. In rare instances the woman can actually see the egg in her pants. The chance of pregnancy is now over and the hormones in her system change. They hit a low point (physically, psychologically, emotionally) a few days before her next period. Many of us (me) feel lousy for these few days. And the the flow starts and the cycle begins all over again.

All of this is orchestrated by the mixture of estrogen and progestin in the bloodstream. This all seems too perfect and, inf act, younger women, especially, tend to be highly irregular in both menstruating and ovulating. Pregnancy is possible any day of the cycle although more likely in mid-cycle. While the typical cycle is 28 days, they can vary from 23-35 days. In young teens, little periods appear and disappear and are often referred to as spotting. The variation in hormones in puberty confuse the body and the period appears to start and stop randomly.

[curious_woman]

Originally Posted by Brandye

They hit a low point (physically, psychologically, emotionally) a few days before her next period. Many of us (me) feel lousy for these few days. And the the flow starts and the cycle begins all over again.

Hmm I didn't know that! I guess that explains why my headaches get worse, and I'm more tired/bitchy before my period than during.

[sera300]

Originally Posted by curious_woman

Hmm I didn't know that! I guess that explains why my headaches get worse, and I'm more tired/bitchy before my period than during.

Many also notice they bloat, pants are too tight, and are generally irritable!

[Brandye]

Good points, sera. I often wear an "up-sized" bra for a couple days. And my nurse often notices my period is coming on before I do! She can be a bit bitchy then, too, and we have worked together for ten years.

[sera300]

Your fortunate...your bra size goes up. My pants used to, LOL! Worse part about working with other women regularly is cycles become in-tune to each other so everyone is nasty at the same time!

[xkatex]

I hate it when your pants feel too small. I find around the bloating stage of my period I just feel like crap. As a tip of how to guess when shes getting her period my boyfriend tells me that I tend to complain alot, I second guess most things that I do, I get more irritated such as every little thing bugs me (hes late picking me up, plans suddenly get change etc.) Also I find personally I am more inclined to eat unhealth foods such as fast foods (which I usual hate), chips, anything high in fat lol :P.

My headaches usually get worse and if i eat too much chocolate or caffine they get to the point of hardcore migranes.

Just watch for her to get irritated and being more of a perfectionist. I notice with my sister mother and female friends that perfectionism normally happens. Their hair and makeup needs to be perfect or they will have a mental break down haha. ...The joys of being a woman!!

[sera300]

XK:

FYI; If you thwart of the junk food needs and try to maintain a a healthy diet and exercise; it seriously helps.

[CegMister]

You say a period lasts for 5 days? is she really grumpy and lousy usually for that amount of time or it only the 1st day?

[bamjuju]

oh and guys, while we are doubled over in pain it does not help to point out that we are now fat! grrr.