What is a "menstrual cycle" or "period"?

What is a "menstrual cycle" or "period"?

Michael Tahery (Obstetrician & Gynecologist) gives expert video advice on: What is the best way to understand the female reproductive system?; Are all female genitals shaped the same?; What are some common myths about menstrual and pregnancy? and more...

The menstrual cycle starts from one period to the beginning of the next period and that length of time can vary. We hear that 28 days is a normal time interval, but that's not really true. It can go back and forth up to a week in different women, so if someone has a menstrual period between 21 to 35 days it's still within the normal range and not everybody is precisely on the dot. Some people have a period little earlier this month, a little later next month. As long as it comes within that time range for the menstrual cycle, that's a normal cycle.