Menstrual Cycle Length
Is the Length of your Menstrual Cycles
Long, Short, Normal or Irregular?

Your menstrual cycle length is from the beginning of one menstruation period to the start of the next. And is normally anywhere from 21 to 35 (or more) days long. The average length of menstrual cycles is typically considered to be 28 days.

Every women is different. Your length of menstrual cycle could be short or long and may vary each cycle. Or menstrual cycle length could even change over the years. What is normal for you may not be normal for someone else.

A variance of 7 days or less between cycles is considered normal and regular. If the length of your menstrual cycles vary 8 to 20 days is moderately irregular. And 21 days or more is very irregular.

The first day of regular bleeding marks the first day of your menstrual cycle. This is considered cycle day 1 or CD1. Spotting before regular flow, however, is not considered a part of the new cycle and should not be counted as CD1.

Menstruation can last from 2 to 8 days and the average is 4 or 5. The menstrual flow (abbreviated AF on many fertility charts) and blood loss is usually consistent each cycle.

The time before you ovulate is the follicular phase or pre-ovulatory phase. This is the part of the menstrual cycle varies the most in length from cycle to cycle. Ovulation is considered cycle day 14 (CD 14) in a typical 28 day cycle. Of course this number is not typical for every woman. Ranging from CD 10 to CD 21 or more giving a variance of 11 days or more.

After ovulation, the menstrual cycle length usually varies little between cycles. This part is called the luteal phase, or post-ovulatory phase. The average length is 14 days and is why this time frame is referred to as the two week wait. Normal ranges are from 10 to 16 days. And variances are usually very slight at about 1 to 2 days from cycle to cycle. This means that if your luteal phase is 12 days long one cycle then the next cycle it will be 11, 12, or 13 days long.

If your luteal phase is shorter than 10 days then you might have a luteal phase defect. Fortunately this problem is one the easiest of the fertility problems to correct.

If you find that your periods are irregular, then a natural fertility herb called vitex agnus castus may be of help to get your cycle back on track.

Another excellent women's herbal remedy for cycle irregularities is evening primrose oil. This oil comes from the seeds of the evening primrose plant. It contains EFAs (Essential Fatty Acids) required for hormone balance.

Related pages

Irregular Periods | Evening Primrose Oil (EPO) | Vitex Agnus Castus | Getting Pregnant After the Pill | How Long to Get Pregnant? | Weight and Fertility | When Does Ovulation Occur? | Luteal Phase Defect | Ways to Increase Fertility Naturally |