menstrual cycle

• Menstrual cycle


  A female reproductive process which takes about 28 days and involves menstruation and ovulation
• Menstruation


  The monthly discharge of the uterus lining in the form of blood
• Ovulation


  The monthly release of an egg from the ovary
• Menarche


  The first menstrual cycle, which occurs during puberty, starting around age 9 or may be delayed to age 15 or 16
• A late start of menarche is nothing to worry about
• Stages of the menstrual cycle

  • Menstruation
  • Follicular
  • Ovulation
  • Luteal
• Menstruation


  1. First day of menstrual cycle

  2. Uterus lining breaks down and exits vagina as blood

  3. Lasts 4-7 days

  4. Due to low levels of estrogen and progesterone

  5. Females often feel cramps and have mood swings
• Follicular stage


  1. Progesterone level remains low

  2. Estrogen increases

  3. Uterus lining regrows and thickens

  4. Egg matures inside ovary
• Ovulation


  1. Mature egg released from ovary

  2. Caused by decrease in estrogen

  3. Usually occurs on day 14 of cycle
• Luteal stage


  1. Egg moves through fallopian tube to uterus

  2. Estrogen decreases, progesterone increases

  3. If egg not fertilized, uterus lining breaks down

  4. Menstrual cycle restarts
• Ovulation occurs about day 14 of a 28 day menstrual cycle
• Calculating ovulation date


  1. Count 14 days from first day of menstruation

  2. Example: Menstruation starts March 13, 2024

  3. Ovulation likely March 26, 2024
• For a 28 day menstrual cycle starting April 7, 2024, ovulation will occur on April 21, 2024
• The menstrual cycle lasts about 28 days and consists of 4 stages: menstruation, follicular, ovulation, and luteal
• If fertilization does not occur, the unfertilized egg exits the female's body and the uterus lining breaks down to start another menstrual cycle
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