What is a healthy menstrual cycle?
A healthy menstrual cycle can be recognized by the following:
- menstruation lasts from 3 to 6 days
- menstrual flow is bright and fluid, like raspberry or currant jelly
- menstrual flow is about 30ml to 80ml in volume
- there should be no severe menstrual cramping or heavy bleeding
- the preovulatory phase contains dry days before the onset of cervical mucus
- the preovulatory phase contains from 3 to 7 days when cervical mucus is present
- at least one day of cervical mucus is Peak-type (clear, stretchy, or lubricative)
- the postovulatory phase lasts from 12 to 16 days
- the total cycle length should range from between 26 to 35 days in length
- premenstrual symptoms should be mild to non-existent
A healthy menstrual cycle depends on balanced nutrition, regular physical activity, healthy emotional state, absence of chronic physical or emotional stress. The health of a woman's menstrual cycle is a mirror of her overall body health. If her cycle is not healthy then she is not healthy.
