The menstrual cycle is a monthly series of changes a woman's body goes through in preparation for the possibility of pregnancy. Each month, one of the ovaries releases an egg — a process called ovulation. At the same time, hormonal changes prepare the uterus for pregnancy. If ovulation takes place and the egg isn't fertilized, the lining of the uterus sheds through the vagina. This is a menstrual period.

Here's a step-by-step breakdown of the menstrual cycle:

1. **Follicular Phase**: This phase starts on the first day of your last menstrual period and continues until ovulation. The main event in this phase is the maturation of the eggs in the ovaries. The hormone estrogen is produced which stimulates the thickening of the uterus lining to prepare for possible pregnancy.

2. **Ovulation**: This is the release of a mature egg from the ovary. It usually happens in the middle of your menstrual cycle, around day 14 in a 28-day cycle. The released egg is then captured by the fallopian tube where it waits to be fertilized.

3. **Luteal Phase**: This phase begins after ovulation and lasts until the start of your next period. If the egg was fertilized and implants into the uterus lining, the body starts producing a hormone called human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) which is used to maintain the pregnancy. If the egg wasn't fertilized, the levels of hormones like estrogen and progesterone decrease, and the thickened uterus lining is shed during your period.

4. **Menstruation**: If the egg is not fertilized, the lining of the uterus breaks down and is shed through the vagina. This is known as menstruation or a period. It usually lasts between 3 to 7 days. After menstruation, a new menstrual cycle begins.

Remember, the length of the menstrual cycle and each phase can vary from woman to woman and cycle to cycle.

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The menstrual cycle is a monthly series of changes a woman's body goes through in preparation for the possibility of pregnancy. Each month, one of the ovaries releases an egg — a process called ovulation. At the same time, hormonal changes prepare the uterus for pregnancy. If ovulation takes place and the egg isn't fertilized, the lining of the uterus sheds through the vagina. This is a menstrual period.

Here's a step-by-step breakdown of the menstrual cycle:

1. **Follicular Phase**: This phase starts on the first day of your last menstrual period and continues until ovulation. The main event in this phase is the maturation of the eggs in the ovaries. The hormone estrogen is produced which stimulates the thickening of the uterus lining to prepare for possible pregnancy.

2. **Ovulation**: This is the release of a mature egg from the ovary. It usually happens in the middle of your menstrual cycle, around day 14 in a 28-day cycle. The released egg is then captured by the fallopian tube where it waits to be fertilized.

3. **Luteal Phase**: This phase begins after ovulation and lasts until the start of your next period. If the egg was fertilized and implants into the uterus lining, the body starts producing a hormone called human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) which is used to maintain the pregnancy. If the egg wasn't fertilized, the levels of hormones like estrogen and progesterone decrease, and the thickened uterus lining is shed during your period.

4. **Menstruation**: If the egg is not fertilized, the lining of the uterus breaks down and is shed through the vagina. This is known as menstruation or a period. It usually lasts between 3 to 7 days. After menstruation, a new menstrual cycle begins.

Remember, the length of the menstrual cycle and each phase can vary from woman to woman and cycle to cycle.

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The menstrual cycle is a monthly series of changes a woman's body goes through in preparation for the possibility of pregnancy. Each month, one of the ovaries releases an egg — a process called ovulation. At the same time, hormonal changes prepare the uterus for pregnancy. If ovulation takes place and the egg isn't fertilized, the lining of the uterus sheds through the vagina. This is a menstrual period.

Here's a step-by-step breakdown of the menstrual cycle:

1. **Follicular Phase**: This phase starts on the first day of your last menstrual period and continues until ovulation. The main event in this phase is the maturation of the eggs in the ovaries. The hormone estrogen is produced which stimulates the thickening of the uterus lining to prepare for possible pregnancy.

2. **Ovulation**: This is the release of a mature egg from the ovary. It usually happens in the middle of your menstrual cycle, around day 14 in a 28-day cycle. The released egg is then captured by the fallopian tube where it waits to be fertilized.

3. **Luteal Phase**: This phase begins after ovulation and lasts until the start of your next period. If the egg was fertilized and implants into the uterus lining, the body starts producing a hormone called human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) which is used to maintain the pregnancy. If the egg wasn't fertilized, the levels of hormones like estrogen and progesterone decrease, and the thickened uterus lining is shed during your period.

4. **Menstruation**: If the egg is not fertilized, the lining of the uterus breaks down and is shed through the vagina. This is known as menstruation or a period. It usually lasts between 3 to 7 days. After menstruation, a new menstrual cycle begins.

Remember, the length of the menstrual cycle and each phase can vary from woman to woman and cycle to cycle.

explain menstrual cycle.

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