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Menstrual cycle The menstrual cycle is a series of natural changes in hormone production and the structures of the uterus and ovaries of the female reproductive system that makes pregnancy possible. The ovarian cycle controls the production and release of eggs and the cyclic release of estrogen and progesterone. The uterine cycle governs the preparation and maintenance of the lining of the ...
Diagram illustrating how the uterus lining builds up and breaks down during the menstrual cycle Menstruation (also known as a period, among other colloquial terms) is the regular discharge of blood and mucosal tissue from the inner lining of the uterus through the vagina. The menstrual cycle is characterized by the rise and fall of hormones. Menstruation is triggered by falling progesterone ...
Chance of fertilization by menstrual cycle day relative to ovulation [15] Pregnancy rates for sexual intercourse are highest during the menstrual cycle time from some 5 days before until 1 to 2 days after ovulation. [16] For optimal pregnancy chance, there are recommendations of sexual intercourse every 1 or 2 days, [17] or every 2 or 3 days. [18]
In many circumstances, menstrual intervals are prolonged, reaching 35–180 days (oligomenorrhea) or even longer . In other cases, menstruation may be fairly regular (eumenorrhea), more frequent (intervals of less than 21 days) or there may be a loss of menstrual pattern (menorrhagia, dysfunctional uterine bleeding).
Ovulation is an important part of the menstrual cycle in female vertebrates where the egg cells are released from the ovaries as part of the ovarian cycle. In female humans ovulation typically occurs near the midpoint in the menstrual cycle and after the follicular phase. Ovulation is stimulated by an increase in luteinizing hormone (LH).
One ovum is released and it passes through the fallopian tube into the uterus. Hormones produced by the ovaries prepare the uterus to receive the ovum. The lining of the uterus, called the endometrium, and unfertilized ova are shed each cycle through the process of menstruation. If the ova is fertilized by sperm, it attaches to the endometrium ...
The endocrine system coincides with the menstrual cycle and goes through thirteen cycles (and thus thirteen LH spikes) during the course of normal folliculogenesis. However, coordinated enzyme signalling and the time-specific expression of hormonal receptors ensures that follicle growth does not become disregulated during these premature spikes.
The menstrual cycle is on average 28 days in length. It begins with menses (day 1–7) during the follicular phase (day 1–14), followed by ovulation (day 14) and ending with the luteal phase (day 14–28).