Long menstrual cycle. What does it mean to have a long menstrual cycle?

Today on the Louloucup blog, we’re talking about women’s health and more specifically the menstrual cycle, also known as the ovarian cycle.

In this article, we’re looking specifically at the **long menstrual cycle**. When is a menstrual cycle considered long? What does that mean? Does a long menstrual cycle affect **fertility**, for example? Is it harder to get pregnant? What causes a **long menstrual cycle**? When 28‑ or 30‑day cycles follow one another, why do the next period and next bleeding suddenly take longer to arrive? Is it serious to have long cycles?

As a reminder, the menstrual cycle is a process governed by a whole host of hormones in a woman’s body. The female hormonal cycle repeats itself over and over from puberty to menopause. It’s broken down into different phases which, if there is no fertilization and pregnancy, start again and again. But what actually happens in practice?

A menstrual cycle lasts on average (and we really want to stress the word “average” here) 28 days. So the menstrual cycle lasts about a month. It’s a fairly well-oiled process with a beginning, a middle, and an end. It starts with your period, which lasts, depending on the woman, age, and many other factors, between about 3 and 7 days.

After your period or menstruation comes the best phase of the cycle, the follicular phase. You feel good and your mood is up. This ovulatory period stretches to the middle of the cycle and usually lasts fourteen days. The ovarian follicles have time to reach maturity.

Ovulation occurs around day 15. One ovarian follicle is more mature (Graafian follicle) than the others and manages to break free and release a fertilizable oocyte. Estrogen is at its peak at this time. This is when you’re most likely to get pregnant. To estimate when you ovulate, simply add fifteen days to the first day of your period.

Finally, after ovulation comes the last phase of the menstrual cycle, the luteal or progestative phase. Premenstrual symptoms may appear. This phase always lasts 14 days. The follicle produces progesterone, which thickens the endometrium (the uterine lining) to make it easier for a potential future embryo to implant. Nothing is left to chance.
If there is no fertilization and implantation, progesterone levels plummet, the endometrial lining that had been preparing breaks down, and a new cycle begins with the onset of a new period.

The length of the menstrual cycle varies. Constantly! It’s important to be aware of this and not treat the 28-day cycle as a fixed standard you absolutely have to match.
Stress, diet, illness, medication and many other external factors can influence cycle length.
A cycle is considered short if it lasts less than 21 days. It’s considered rather long if it lasts more than 35 days.

A menstrual cycle lasting 35, 40, or even 50 days is considered long. If you’ve been following the explanations above, it’s the follicular or ovulatory phase—the phase between your period and ovulation—that stretches beyond the average 14 days. During this phase, the body produces the egg which, at ovulation, is released and waits to be fertilized. In the case of a long cycle, the egg takes longer than average to develop and be ready.

Ovulation doesn’t occur 14 days after the first day of your period as it does in a classic cycle. It’s therefore harder to know when you’re ovulating and thus to get pregnant. Ovulation tests or tracking your temperature can help you know when you’re fertile.
Why the delay? It can be explained by a simple variation or shift in certain hormones. The mechanism can sometimes slow down.

Several reasons are possible:

• stress can disrupt your cycle,
• diet,
• anorexia affects the menstrual cycle,
• a psychological shock can disrupt hormonal balance,
• playing high‑level sport,
• a course of medication,
• PCOS, polycystic ovary syndrome, also called ovarian dystrophy,
• thyroid dysfunction,
• a hormonal imbalance,
• birth control,
• an infection or disease affecting the uterus, vagina, or fallopian tubes.

In short, the causes of a long cycle are very diverse.

As you’ve probably gathered, ovulation periods and fertile windows are much more spread out in long cycles. That said, women with long cycles are not infertile! Their oocytes are even thought to be of better quality. However, you should talk to your gynecologist about these irregularities and long cycles.

Your cycles are more or less regular, around 28 to 32 days, and suddenly your period is late? You can start by taking a pregnancy test. Be aware that the more you stress, the more your period may be delayed. Have you noticed mood changes, experienced issues or pain? Don’t hesitate to see your midwife or gynecologist. It’s never trivial.

Your cycle is long but your period has finally arrived? Here are our three tips to help you navigate this particular phase of your hormonal and feminine cycle.

Having a good period routine can really help many of us. Having the right products, slowing down, taking care of yourself and your body, and listening more closely to what you can handle. As we mentioned recently, a hot‑water bottle, a pair of period panties and a bit of meditation can really make a difference. So take care of yourself!

Whatever protection you use, it’s important to wash properly during your period. For your health and comfort, have a gentle, non-irritating intimate wash every day. Water or a fragrance-free, alcohol-free intimate cleanser is perfect for washing your vulva.