menstrual cycle

• Fertilisation occurs

  Corpus luteum does not degenerate and progesterone levels remain high
• Corpus luteum

  Develops from the follicle after ovulation and secretes progesterone
• FSH

  Develops follicle and production of oestrogen by follicle in the follicular phase of the uterus endometrium
• LH surge


  Triggered by peak levels of oestrogen, triggers ovulation
• Luteal phase


  Second half of the menstrual cycle when the corpus luteum is present
• The menstrual cycle takes approximately 28 days
• Progesterone


  Produced by the corpus luteum, promotes further development and vascularisation of the endometrium preparing it for implantation if fertilisation occurs
• Follicular phase


  First half of the menstrual cycle where the follicle develops
• Oestrogen


  A hormone produced by the ovary that stimulates proliferation of the endometrium
• Lack of progesterone


  Leads to degeneration of corpus luteum with a subsequent drop in progesterone levels which leads to menstruation
• Ovulation is the release of an egg from the ovary