Hur många gånger har du hört att din kropp är ett mysterium?

The menstrual phase, also known as the menstruation period, marks the beginning of the menstrual cycle for individuals with a female reproductive system. This phase typically lasts around 3 to 7 days, although variations are common. During this time, the uterine lining that built up during the previous cycle in preparation for potential pregnancy is shed. This shedding leads to the release of blood and tissue through the vagina. Hormone levels, specifically estrogen and progesterone, are relatively low during the menstrual phase. Menstruation itself is a visible reminder of the complex interplay between hormones, the uterus, and the entire reproductive system.

Following the menstrual phase, the follicular phase commences. Lasting approximately 7 to 10 days, this phase is characterized by the development of follicles within the ovaries. These follicles are small, fluid-filled sacs that contain developing egg cells. As the follicles grow, they release hormones, primarily estrogen, which plays a crucial role in thickening the uterine lining. As the phase progresses, one dominant follicle emerges, while the others regress. The follicular phase is a time of renewal and preparation, as the body readies itself for the possibility of fertilization and conception.

Midway through the menstrual cycle, typically around day 14 in a 28-day cycle, the ovulation phase occurs. This is a pivotal moment in the reproductive cycle, as it marks the release of a mature egg from the dominant follicle in one of the ovaries. The surge in luteinizing hormone (LH) triggers the rupture of the follicle, releasing the egg into the fallopian tube. Ovulation is a brief and time-sensitive event, usually lasting around 24 hours. It is during this phase that the chances of fertilization are highest, as sperm can potentially meet the egg in the fallopian tube. Ovulation is a key milestone in the intricate dance of hormones and reproductive processes.

Following ovulation, the luteal phase sets in, which lasts roughly 10 to 14 days. This phase is named after the corpus luteum, a structure that forms from the collapsed follicle after releasing the egg. The corpus luteum produces progesterone, a hormone crucial for maintaining the uterine lining in preparation for a potential pregnancy. If fertilization occurs, the fertilized egg (now called a zygote) travels down the fallopian tube and implants itself into the uterine lining, leading to pregnancy. However, if fertilization doesn’t occur, the corpus luteum degenerates, causing progesterone levels to drop. This drop triggers the shedding of the uterine lining during the next menstrual phase, starting the cycle anew.