Uterine Cycle

• Uterine Cycle - a series of cyclic changes that the endometrium goes through each month as it responds to changing blood levels of ovarian hormones
• How long do both female cycles last?

  28 days
• What is the other term for uterine cycle?

  Menstrual Cycle
• What are the three phases of the menstrual cycle?

  Menstrual Phase, Proliferative Phase, Secretory Phase
• Menstrual Phase - usually occurs days 0 to 4
• Menstrual Phase - the superficial functional layer of the thick endometrial ling of the uterus is sloughing off from the uterine wall
• Proliferative Phase - stimulated by a rising level of estrogens produced by the growing follicles of the ovaries
• Proliferative Phase- the basal layer of the endometrium regenerates the functional layer, glands form in it, and the endometrial blood supply increases
• Proliferative Phase - the endometrium once again becomes velvety, thick and well vascularized
• Proliferative Phase - occurs days 5 to 14
• Secretory Phase - a rising level of progesterone production by the corpus luteum acts on the estrogen-primed endometrium and increases its blood supply even more
• Secretory Phase - progesterone causes the endometrial glands to grow and begin secreting nutrients into the uterine cavity
• Secretory Phase - occurs 15 to 28 days