Question

Discribe all the phases of menstrual cycle​

Answer 1

There are four phases: menstruation, the follicular phase, ovulation and

the luteal phase.

- Menstruation:

Menstruation is the elimination of the internal lining of the uterine

wall along with other secretions from the body through the vagina.

It usually lasts three to seven days but this could change to more or

less days from month to month and depending on each woman.

- The follicular phase:

The follicular phase starts on the first day of menstruation and ends

with ovulation. During this phase the pituitary gland (situated at the

base of the brain) releases a follicle (cyst) stimulating hormone. This

hormone produces 10 to 20 follicles in the ovary and each follicle

houses an immature egg. These follicles produce the hormone

estrogen, which in turn thickens the lining of the endometrium in

preparation to receive a fertilized egg. Often, only one follicle keeps

growing and travels to the ovarian surface while the remaining

follicles gradually fade and are absorbed back into the body.

- Ovulation:

Ovulation occurs 12 to 16 days before the following period but not

necessarily in the middle of the cycle. The term “ovulation”

indicates the formation of a mature egg by one of the ovaries. The

release of estrogen during the follicular phase causes the brain to

produce a gonadotrophin-releasing hormone that prompts the

pituitary gland to produce raised levels of luteinising hormone

(luteotropic hormone). This extracts the mature egg from the

follicle (cyst) and transports it from the ovary to the fallopian tube.

If fertilization does not occur during this phase, the egg continues