All about the menstrual cycle.
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Welcome to podcast episode 53.
In this podcast, we’re discussing everything about the menstrual cycle. We have many frequent questions from listeners about their periods and the symptoms they’re experiencing so Dr Pat is pulling back the curtain today to answer every question that impacts the cycle.
We’ll delve into how the menstrual cycle works, the days of the cycle, how the cycle changes throughout a woman’s life, the causes for irregularities, PCOS, Endometriosis, treatments, pregnancy and so much more.
There are many temporary factors that can impact your period such as weight loss, emotional stress, the Covid vaccine and over-exercising to name a few. Dr Pat will explore each of them to explain how they impact your body and what they mean for your cycle.
This episode is perfect for all women to learn more about their menstrual cycles and understand when there may be a need to seek medical help.
During the podcast, Dr Pat talks about the menstrual cycle and suggests for you to reference a diagram when you follow along. Here is one he likes, from wikipedia.
TOPICS DISCUSSED
[2:28]: Testimonial from listener.
[3:04]: The Grow My Baby program is a pregnancy program that provides information directly from experts. Find out more here.
[3:46]: We’re building our new clinic – The Ballarat Women’s Clinic.
[4:15]: Dr Pat explains how the menstrual cycle works in the body and the days in the cycle.
[7:50]: Oestrogen rises progressively through the first half of the cycle and peaks in the middle, and progesterone is the dominant hormone of the second half of the cycle.
[8:28]: The menstrual cycle changes throughout a woman’s life. Dr Pat explores the different phases in a woman’s life.
[10:15]: As few as 10% of the cycles are fully mature ovulatory cycles in the first couple of years of menstruating.
[12:42]: Dr Pat explains his own model for variations of the number of days in each cycle. These can be classed as temporary or long term impacts on your cycle.
[17:12]: An overactive or underactive thyroid can cause a menstrual disturbance. Sudden weight gain, over-exercising, weight loss, emotional stress, and the covid vaccine can all cause disturbances to the menstrual cycle.
[21:06]: A woman with PCOS will have a large number of partially mature ovarian follicles and none are mature enough to be a functional egg.
[22:17]: Endometriosis causes painful periods, pain during intercourse and menstrual disturbances.
[24:46]: Question from Emily regarding shorter Luteal phases. Dr Pat discusses how a shorter luteal phase impacts fertility.
[27:32]: After a miscarriage, the progesterone levels return to baseline and the menstrual cycle begins again – expect a period 4-6 weeks after the miscarriage.
[29:20]: After pregnancy, breastfeeding hormones inhibit menstruation.
[30:01]: Read out of a question about having an irregular period after having a baby. Dr Pat discusses if it’s a problem, return to basics and if there are other factors impacting the cycle.
[32:00]: If after a big event your cycle hasn’t returned to your normal cycle, seek medical help.
LINKS
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