1. The menstrual cycle is the regular natural change that occurs in the female reproductive system that makes pregnancy possible. The cycle is required for the production of oocytes, and for the preparation of the uterus for pregnancy. The menstrual cycle occurs due to the rise and fall of estrogen.
2. The four main phases of the menstrual cycle are:
menstrual phase- This is the part of the cycle when a person has their period. The cycle starts when the egg from the previous menstrual cycle does not become fertilized. Hormone levels of estrogen and progesterone drop. Because the thickened uterine lining is not needed, it will break down and shed. This lining and the egg then exit through the vagina during the menstrual period. The period consists of a combination of uterus tissue, mucus, and blood. The menstrual phase can last for 3–8 days.
the follicular phase. - The follicular phase, which some people call the proliferative phase, also starts on the first day of a person’s period. It is simultaneous with the menstrual phase. At the start of the cycle, a brain region called the hypothalamus signals the pituitary gland to release follicle stimulating hormone (FSH). FSH stimulates the ovaries to create several small sacs called follicles. These each contain an immature egg. The healthiest egg will mature while the rest of the follicles will absorb back into the body. As the follicle matures, the body releases extra estrogen. This stimulates the uterine lining to thicken. The thickened lining can provide the necessary nutrients to a fertilized egg. The follicular phase typically lasts around 10–16 days. This phase will end when a person ovulates.
The ovulation phase
- The ovulation phase starts when rising estrogen levels signal the pituitary gland to release luteinizing hormone (LH). LH stimulates the process of the ovary releasing a mature egg. This process is called ovulation. During ovulation, the mature egg travels from the ovary, down the fallopian tube, and into the uterus. At any time during the egg’s journey, sperm can fertilize it. People who wish to conceive can watch for signs such as thick, white discharge from the vagina and a slight increase in their basal body temperature. A person can measure their basal temperature at home using a sensitive thermometer. Ovulation typically occurs in the middle of the menstrual cycle. The egg can survive for about 24 hours before it needs to be fertilized. If it does not become fertilized during that time, the egg will dissolve.
The luteal phase
-The final phase of the menstrual cycle is called the luteal phase. During the luteal phase, the follicle morphs into a mass of cells called the corpus luteum. The corpus luteum releases progesterone, which will keep the uterine wall thick and ready for a fertilized egg to implant. If the egg becomes fertilized, the body will produce human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). hCG helps keep the uterine lining thick for the fertilized egg to develop into an embryo. However, if the egg does not become fertilized during ovulation, the corpus luteum will dissolve into the body. Both estrogen and progesterone levels will drop, which marks the beginning of the menstrual phase. During the luteal phase, a person may experience symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS). The length of the luteal phase can vary, but it tends to be around 14 days on average.
4. The menstrual cycle is important in females because it provides important body chemicals, called hormones, to keep you healthy. It also prepares your body for pregnancy each month. A cycle is counted from the first day of 1 period to the first day of the next period. The average menstrual cycle is 28 days long.
1. The menstrual cycle is the regular natural change that occurs in the female reproductive system that makes pregnancy possible.
2. •menstruation -Menstruation, or period, is normal vaginal bleeding that occurs as part of a woman's monthly cycle.
•follicular phase -The follicular phase, also known as the preovulatory phase or proliferative phase, is the phase of the estrous cycle during which follicles in the ovary mature from primary follicle to a fully mature graafian follicle.
•ovulation -Ovulation is the release of an egg from your ovary, into your fallopian tube. It typically happens about 13–15 days before the start of each period (1).
•luteal phase -The luteal phase is the latter phase of the menstrual cycle or the earlier phase of the estrous cycle. It begins with the formation of the corpus luteum and ends in either pregnancy or luteolysis.
3. The endometrium changes throughout the menstrual cycle in response to hormones. During the first part of the cycle, the hormone estrogen is made by the ovaries. Estrogen causes the lining to grow and thicken to prepare the uterus for pregnancy.
4. The menstrual cycle provides important body chemicals, called hormones, to keep you healthy.
Answers & Comments
Answer:
1. The menstrual cycle is the regular natural change that occurs in the female reproductive system that makes pregnancy possible. The cycle is required for the production of oocytes, and for the preparation of the uterus for pregnancy. The menstrual cycle occurs due to the rise and fall of estrogen.
2. The four main phases of the menstrual cycle are:
menstrual phase- This is the part of the cycle when a person has their period. The cycle starts when the egg from the previous menstrual cycle does not become fertilized. Hormone levels of estrogen and progesterone drop. Because the thickened uterine lining is not needed, it will break down and shed. This lining and the egg then exit through the vagina during the menstrual period. The period consists of a combination of uterus tissue, mucus, and blood. The menstrual phase can last for 3–8 days.
the follicular phase. - The follicular phase, which some people call the proliferative phase, also starts on the first day of a person’s period. It is simultaneous with the menstrual phase. At the start of the cycle, a brain region called the hypothalamus signals the pituitary gland to release follicle stimulating hormone (FSH). FSH stimulates the ovaries to create several small sacs called follicles. These each contain an immature egg. The healthiest egg will mature while the rest of the follicles will absorb back into the body. As the follicle matures, the body releases extra estrogen. This stimulates the uterine lining to thicken. The thickened lining can provide the necessary nutrients to a fertilized egg. The follicular phase typically lasts around 10–16 days. This phase will end when a person ovulates.
The ovulation phase
- The ovulation phase starts when rising estrogen levels signal the pituitary gland to release luteinizing hormone (LH). LH stimulates the process of the ovary releasing a mature egg. This process is called ovulation. During ovulation, the mature egg travels from the ovary, down the fallopian tube, and into the uterus. At any time during the egg’s journey, sperm can fertilize it. People who wish to conceive can watch for signs such as thick, white discharge from the vagina and a slight increase in their basal body temperature. A person can measure their basal temperature at home using a sensitive thermometer. Ovulation typically occurs in the middle of the menstrual cycle. The egg can survive for about 24 hours before it needs to be fertilized. If it does not become fertilized during that time, the egg will dissolve.
The luteal phase
-The final phase of the menstrual cycle is called the luteal phase. During the luteal phase, the follicle morphs into a mass of cells called the corpus luteum. The corpus luteum releases progesterone, which will keep the uterine wall thick and ready for a fertilized egg to implant. If the egg becomes fertilized, the body will produce human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). hCG helps keep the uterine lining thick for the fertilized egg to develop into an embryo. However, if the egg does not become fertilized during ovulation, the corpus luteum will dissolve into the body. Both estrogen and progesterone levels will drop, which marks the beginning of the menstrual phase. During the luteal phase, a person may experience symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS). The length of the luteal phase can vary, but it tends to be around 14 days on average.
4. The menstrual cycle is important in females because it provides important body chemicals, called hormones, to keep you healthy. It also prepares your body for pregnancy each month. A cycle is counted from the first day of 1 period to the first day of the next period. The average menstrual cycle is 28 days long.
Answer:
1. The menstrual cycle is the regular natural change that occurs in the female reproductive system that makes pregnancy possible.
2. •menstruation -Menstruation, or period, is normal vaginal bleeding that occurs as part of a woman's monthly cycle.
•follicular phase -The follicular phase, also known as the preovulatory phase or proliferative phase, is the phase of the estrous cycle during which follicles in the ovary mature from primary follicle to a fully mature graafian follicle.
•ovulation -Ovulation is the release of an egg from your ovary, into your fallopian tube. It typically happens about 13–15 days before the start of each period (1).
•luteal phase -The luteal phase is the latter phase of the menstrual cycle or the earlier phase of the estrous cycle. It begins with the formation of the corpus luteum and ends in either pregnancy or luteolysis.
3. The endometrium changes throughout the menstrual cycle in response to hormones. During the first part of the cycle, the hormone estrogen is made by the ovaries. Estrogen causes the lining to grow and thicken to prepare the uterus for pregnancy.
4. The menstrual cycle provides important body chemicals, called hormones, to keep you healthy.