When is ovulation? - menstrual cycle, phases of the menstrual cycle

When does ovulation begin, how many days is the menstrual cycle, how long does ovulation last - women often look for answers to these and other questions. To find them, you should carefully monitor your body and keep an ovulation calendar. A woman should know what is happening to her, what mechanisms control her body. Getting to know your ovulation calendar is very important and can help you spot the symptoms of various diseases at an early stage.

1. When is ovulation? - menstrual cycle

During the menstrual cycle, a woman's body undergoes changes to prepare her for pregnancy. The menstrual cycle should last 25-35 days. The menstrual cycle is the time between two bleedings. Wherein cycle time it is counted from the first day of bleeding to the last day before the next bleeding. The ovulation cycle is regulated by various hormones. The most important of these is the hypothalamus, which is responsible for the secretion of other hormones, the so-called gonadotropins (FSH and LH). FSH is a follicle-stimulating hormone that stimulates follicle maturation and estrogen secretion. LH, in turn, is a luteinizing hormone. Its main function is to stimulate ovulation. Two other hormones as important as the hypothalamus are estrogen and progesterone. They determine the secondary sexual characteristics of a woman.

2. When is ovulation? - phases of the menstrual cycle

Due to the increasing intensity of our lives nowadays, a woman's ovulation cycle is not so regular. Unfortunately, keeping an ovulation calendar is not easy. A woman's ovulation cycle is influenced by many external factors, which means that every woman should better listen to her body.

It is generally accepted that the ovulatory cycle consists of four successive phases:

• growth phase - proliferation, follicular phase, follicular phase, estrogenic phase
• ovulatory phase - ovulation
• secretory phase - corpus luteum, progesterone
• phase of menstrual bleeding (menstruation).

Phase 1.

During the growth phase, the endometrium remodels and begins to grow. This is due to the estrogen secreted by the ovaries. Estrogens cause the cervix to open and the mucus to become clear and pliable. One ovarian follicle begins to mature in the ovary and becomes a mature Graaff follicle (containing one egg). It is worth noting that despite the fact that there are many follicles (so-called primary), only one reaches the mature form.

Phase 2.

Ovulation is triggered by the hormone LH. The egg is released and enters the uterus through the fallopian tube. According to the calendar, ovulation usually occurs about 14 days before your period.

Phase 3.

The uterus, which contains the egg, is under the influence of progesterone. Then the glands of the mucous membrane develop and their secretions are enriched with various nutrients. Under the influence of progesterone, the consistency of mucus changes, it becomes thicker. As a result of these procedures, the uterus is ready to receive a fertilized egg. An unfertilized egg lives for about 12-24 hours and eventually dies.

Phase 4.

If fertilization has not occurred and the egg has died, the corpus luteum ceases to be active and hormone levels decrease. Then bleeding occurs, that is, a new one begins menstrual cycle.

However, it is worth emphasizing that monitoring the ovulation cycle is not the best method of contraception. Experts recommend that women who are trying to conceive a child with their partner monitor their cycle. Unfortunately, if you rely only on the phases of the ovulation cycle, there is a high risk of pregnancy.

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