First Clue - Menstruation Occurs

 

Menstruation or menses typically marks the beginning of a new cycle and its onset is a positive sign of Phase 1 infertility. In many cases, FAM relies on the accurate recording of the menstruation start date to properly compute the arrival of the Phase 2 fertile period.

While many people regard menstruation as the start of a new cycle, so does GenderLabs™, it is actually the end of the previous cycle. Why do we say this? Menstruation is the process of shedding the endometrium (lining of the uterus) that had built up during the previous menstrual cycle. Therefore, it truly is the end of the previous cycle. Because it is so easy to identify, however, it has become symbolic of the start of another "period" and is used as such in GenderLabs™ and FAM, as well. The endometrium is a lining of tissue on the walls of the uterus that builds up before ovulation in anticipation of the implantation of a fertilized egg. If the egg is not fertilized, it does not implant and roughly two weeks later the built-up tissue is sloughed off. The uterus will build it up again in the new cycle in preparation for the next ovulation.