Menstrual Cycle

There is a popular misconception regarding the menstrual cycle in the belief that it occurs religiously every 28 days. Although this assumption is considered the typical duration of a cycle, most women in general do have menstrual cycles with different intervals, ranging from 21 days to up to 35.

Furthermore, variations in the menstrual cycle are more common during adolescence, when the cycles are unusually long or unusually short. During pregnancy, cycles can continue for one or two months after conceiving, so there is no general rule applying to all women and all cases.

Menstrual cycles are divided into 2 halves. The first of them running from day 1 to day 14 in a typical 28 cycle, and the second going from day 14 to day 28, being considered the midpoint of the menstrual cycle, which the first day is day 1 of your actual ordinary cycle.

Ovulation occurs when an egg released by the ovary is mature. This usually occurs around day 12 to 16 of your menstrual cycle, the point where your odds of getting pregnant are higher whenever sexual intercourse takes place. Although a "period of grace" is considered from 2 to 5 days before and after ovulation occurs.

Due to the fact that sperm can live in your vagina for up to 72 hours, chances of conceiving remain even if the menstrual cycle goes on like every month, before receiving any sign from your body to begin the pregnancy process. That is the reason why some women menstruate during the early days of pregnancy.