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There are multiple models people use to categorize and organize the menstrual cycle. A popular method is by dividing the menstrual cycle into the follicular phase, ovulation, and the luteal phase. Although the menstrual cycle is often presented as occurring in 28 days, the length of a menstrual cycle can vary from person to person. A cycle lasting between 21 days and 45 days is also considered normal. Thus, when phases of the menstrual cycle begin  and end are not the same for every person.

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General Overview of Female      Reproduction System

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Diagram of the Female Reproductive System

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Diagram of the Female Reproductive System

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The Female Reproductive System: Myometrium

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The Female Reproductive System: Myometrium

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The middle and thickest layer of the uterus that is composed of smooth muscle.

The myometrium contracts to help expel the shed endometrial lining, or the menstrual flow.

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*Phases of the Menstrual Cycle Part One: Follicular Phase

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*Phases of the Menstrual Cycle Part One: Follicular Phase

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1. Follicular Phase: (Occurs from day 1 to day 13 of the menstrual cycle)

Central Purpose: Preparing a follicle to release a mature egg

Description: The follicular phase’s purpose is to prepare follicles (which are fluid-filled sacs in the ovaries that contain eggs) to release mature eggs. Typically, only one follicle will release a mature egg. The follicular phase lasts from day 1 to approximately day 13 of the menstrual cycle. Menstrual flow (which is where the lining of the uterus, or endometrium, is shed) begins on day 1 of the menstrual cycle and ends anywhere from 2 to 8 days afterwards. Thus, menstrual flow (or a period) occurs during the follicular phase.

The menstrual cycle begins with the hypothalamus releasing  gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH).  GnRH then causes the anterior pituitary gland to release follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), which stimulates the development of follicles. The anterior pituitary gland also releases  luteinizing hormone (LH), which also stimulates follicles. Both FSH and LH are integral in having an egg develop during the follicular phase. When the ovaries register that the pituitary gland is releasing FSH, it starts to stimulate the follicles to grow. As the follicles develop, the cells surrounding them release estrogen. Several follicles grow within the ovary, but only one typically matures into a Graafian follicle, which is the follicle that will release the mature egg, or ovum. The other follicles die and do not release eggs. As the Graafian follicle grows it releases estrogen. As the estrogen levels increase, there is a slight decrease in the amount of FSH and LH

Once the follicle is ready to be released, estrogen levels increase drastically, and the anterior pituitary gland produces a massive amount of luteinizing hormone, which is known as the LH surge, which occurs approximately during day 13 of the menstrual cycle. The LH surge is integral in releasing the egg from the Graafian follicle and having it travel into the fallopian tubes for potential fertilization. The process by which the mature egg is released is called ovulation, which marks the ends of the follicular phase.

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Phases of the Menstrual Part Two: Ovulation

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Phases of the Menstrual Part Two: Ovulation

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2. Ovulation: (Occurs during the midpoint of the menstrual cycle, such as the 14th day of the  menstrual cycle)

Central Purpose: To release an ovum (or mature egg)

Description: Approximately 8 to 20 hours after the LH surge, the increase in luteinizing hormone contributes to the weakening of the wall of the ovarian follicle, which causes it to be ruptured and the ovum (or mature egg) to be released. This is known as ovulation and it occurs on approximately day 14 of the menstrual cycle or the midpoint of the menstrual cycle. . A symptom of ovulation is a slight increase in basal body temperature (BBT) by roughly to .3 to 1.1 degrees Fahrenheit.  Another symptom of ovulation is a change in the consistency and color of cervical mucus. During ovulation, cervical mucus resembles egg whites in terms of texture, stretchiness, and color.

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Phases of the Menstrual Part Three: Luteal Phase

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Phases of the Menstrual Part Three: Luteal Phase

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3. Luteal Phase: (Occurs from about day 15 to day 28 of the menstrual cycle)

Central Purpose:  To thicken the lining of the uterus to prepare for the successful implantation and nourishment of a potential fertilized egg

After the Graafian follicle releases the ovum during ovulation, the remains of the Graafian follicle become a benign cyst called the Corpus Luteum. The Corpus Luteum secretes high levels of progesterone, which thickens and maintains the endometrium (or lining of the uterus) to prepare for a potentially fertilized ovum. Progesterone also causes cervical mucus to thicken, which makes it more difficult for sperm to swim through.  The Corpus Luteum also secretes estrogen. Once the ovum is released, finger-like structures called fimbriae that are located at the ends of fallopian tubes near the ovaries sweep the egg into a fallopian tube. The ovum is swept along by cilia (which are hair-like structures within the fallopian tubes) and by contractions in the walls of the fallopian tube.  If the egg is fertilized, then the embryo secretes Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG), which keeps the Corpus Luteum alive. HCG is what’s tested for in a pregnancy test.

If the egg is not fertilized and HCG is not produced, the Corpus Luteum degenerates and stops producing estrogen and progesterone. This decrease in estrogen and progesterone. There is also a decrease in FSH. The decrease in progesterone and estrogen results in the endometrium being broken down inside the uterus. The shedding endometrium travels through the cervix and eventually exits the body through the vagina. This process is known as menstruation, menstrual flow, menses, or a period. Thus, the luteal phase ends when menstruation begins. Menstruation can last anywhere from 2 to 8 days and marks the beginning of a new menstrual cycle and the start of a new follicular phase.

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(n.d.). Ovaries. Retrieved 2022, from https://www.yourhormones.info/glands/ovaries/.

Ovaries

Roughly the size of almonds, ovaries are located on the left and right side of the uterus and secrete estrogen and progesterone.

Ovaries also create eggs, and people assigned female at birth are born with all of the eggs they’ll ever have. Usually, a single egg from either the left or right ovary is released during ovulation. The ovaries aren’t attached to the fallopian tubes. Rather, during ovulation when the ovarian follicle ruptures at the surface of the ovary and the egg is released, the fimbriae extend closer to the ovary and sweep the egg into the Fallopian tubes.

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Cervix

The cervix extends from the uterus into the vaginal canal. The cervix changes positions throughout the menstrual cycle, and where exactly the cervix is can vary from person to person.

For example, the cervix could lower to allow menstrual flow to travel to the vagina or rise during ovulation in preparation for conception.

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The Female Reproductive System: Fallopian Tubes

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The Female Reproductive System: Fallopian Tubes

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Fallopian tubes are muscular organs found in the lower abdomen. They consist of two tubes that are found near the top of the uterus.

The open ends of the fallopian tubes and ovaries are not attached to one another. Rather, once an egg is released during ovulation, finger-like structures called fimbriae sweep eggs into the tubes toward the uterus. Once inside the tubes, the cilia (which are hair-like structures found inside fallopian tubes) help propel the egg into the uterus. Contractions within the fallopian tube also help transport the egg into the uterus.

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The Female Reproductive System: Endometrium

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The Female Reproductive System: Endometrium

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The interior of the uterus is lined with a mucous membrane.

Each month, estrogen and progesterone encourage endometrial cells to grow and thicken to prepare for possible implantation of a fertilized egg. If an egg isn’t fertilized, estrogen and progesterone levels drop, which causes the endometrial lining to break down and be shed alongside blood and mucus, which is known as menstrual flow.