Posts Tagged ‘Ovulation’
Menstruation and the Menstrual Cycle
The menstrual cycle involves a series of changes that passes through the body of the woman. These changes are governed by the female hormones estrogen and progesterone produced in the ovaries by the body. The menstrual cycle is repeated over many years, from puberty to menopause, except when interrupted if pregnancy occurs.
In the menstrual cycle can identify two phases: the follicular and luteal, both divided by the phenomenon of ovulation.
The follicular phase begins on the first day of menstruation and ends at the time of ovulation. During this phase the pituitary gland begins to secrete a hormone that travels through the bloodstream to act on the ovaries, which favors the development and maturation of a follicle. This is called an ovarian follicle because the follicle develops, where the future egg.
The follicle grows and matures when ruptures and releases an egg. During this phase, changes occur inside the uterus to prepare it for nest egg if it is fertilized with sperm. The cervix secretes or produces large amounts of mucus to facilitate their arrival from the vagina to the fallopian tubes where it will meet the egg.