7 Myths and Truths about Menstrual Cycle
Even though menstrual cycle is an everyday companion of all women, more myths exist about it than truths.
Women who are trying to get pregnant as well as women who don't, should know their menstrual cycle in detail. (Photoxpress)
1. Menstrual cycle myth: Ovulation starts on the 14th day of the cycle.
This is probably the most well known myth about fertility. If it was true, contraception almost wouldn't be necessary and couples who don't want to have children would simply avoid having intercourse on this particular day. Unwanted pregnancy usually occurs because the couples think that unprotected sexual intercourse is safe any other day of the menstrual cycle. Many couples who want to get pregnant plan intercourse on the fourteenth day of the cycle, which actually prevents them from getting pregnant quickly, because a woman can get pregnant much sooner or later than on this day.
2. Menstrual cycle myth: A normal menstrual cycle lasts for 28 days.
A normal menstrual cycle lasts from 24 to 36 days. Menstrual cycles are not only different among women, but also with each individual woman. One of the saddest result of this myth is an unnecessary fear experienced by women who don't want to get pregnant , if their period is
''late''. Contraceptive pills, which make the cycle last ''normal'' 28 days, also contributed to this false conception.
3. Menstrual cycle myth: Menstrual cycle is impossible to understand.
Many women were lead to believe that menstrual cycle is so complicated only expert can understand it. In reality, a woman can take control over her fertility just by observing her own menstrual cycle on a daily basis.
4. Menstrual cycle myth: A woman can ovulate any day of the cycle.
The time of ovulation is different with every menstrual cycle but it is impossible for a woman to ovulate more times in one menstrual cycle. Once the ovulation begins, hormone progesterone prevents the other eggs from being released until the next cycle. Even in case of multiple ovulation, all eggs are released in the period of two days.
5. Menstrual cycle myth: A woman is fertile for a whole period of her cycle.
Men are always fertile but women are fertile only for a couple of days during ovulation. The fact is that a woman's egg can survive only for 12 to 24 hours after the egg is released. The only reason for women to be fertile for more than 24 or 48 hours in case of multiple ovulation, are the semen which can survive up to five days if a quality uterine mucosa is present.
6. Menstrual cycle myth: An egg is released every time a woman reaches an orgasm.
A myth that orgasm can trigger spontaneous ovulation is especially interesting. We must understand that the process which leads to ovulation depends on the level of estrogen which gradually increases in the period of a couple of days, and it is not caused by an extraordinary wave triggered by an orgasm. Sexual activity has no influence on a woman's menstrual cycle whatsoever.
7. Menstrual cycle myth: A woman can't get pregnant during her period.
It is true that a woman is not fertile during menstrual bleeding because the level of hormones that trigger ovulation is completely different during the period compared to ovulation. A woman can still get pregnant on a fifth or later day of a period, if her ovulation is early, and the sperm survives in the vagina and cervix until the ovulation begins.
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