Despite it being a normal physiologic process for young girls after puberty and for women before menopause, there is often confusion about what constitutes a normal menstrual cycle. Sometimes unusual patterns in the menstrual cycle may be deemed as abnormal variations. However, at other times an abnormal menstrual cycle are due to diseases that require medical treatment. What is a normal menstrual cycle? The menstrual cycle is the sequence of hormonal an physiologic changes that occur in preparation for pregnancy. This should occur in every female of reproductive age. It is a carefully coordinated sequence of fluctuation in female hormone levels. This causes changes in the anatomy and physiology of the female reproductive system. However, if pregnancy does not occur then the cycle is “reset” to recur again approximately every month. Read more on menstrual cycle. The menstrual cycle is marked by two major events – ovulation and menstruation. Ovulation occurs about midway through the cycle. The ovary releases an egg cell (ovum) which travels down the fallopian tube to the uterus (womb). If this ovum is not fertilized within days then the body prepares to remove it and “reset” the cycle. This is marked be menstruation where there is … Continue reading Abnormal Menstrual Cycle (Length, Bleeding) Duration and Causes