Menstrual Cycle-Process of Ovulation

Menstrual Cycle-Process of Ovulation

The cyclic events that take place in a rhythmic fashion during the reproductive period of a woman’s life is called menstrual cycle. In human females the menstrual cycle starts at the age of 11- 13 years which marks the onset of puberty and is called menarche , and ceases around 48-50 years of age and this stage is termed menopause. The reproductive period is marked by characteristic events repeated almost every month in physiologically normal women (28 days with minor variation) in the form of a menstrual flow. The menstrual cycle consists of 4 phases

1. Menstrual or Destructive Phase

2. Follicular or Proliferative Phase

3. Ovulatory Phase

4. Luteal or Secretory Phase

These phases show simultaneous synchrony of events in both ovary and uterus. Changes in the ovary and the uterus are induced by the pituitary hormones (LH and FSH) and ovarian hormones (estrogen and progesterone).