29/10/2024
OVULATION
Every month the pituitary gland, which is in your brain, releases a hormone. This hormone tells the ovaries
Every month the pituitary gland, which is in your brain, releases a hormone. This hormone tells the ovaries to produce a number of fluid-filled cysts called follicles. As the follicles grow they secrete the hormone oestrogen.
Oestrogen works to thicken the wall of your uterus in preparation for pregnancy.
On day seven of your cycle, the follicles stop growing except for one. This follicle continues to grow and to nourish a maturing egg (oocyte) within.
On day 12 the maturing follicle releases a burst of oestrogen into the blood stream. The oestrogen travels through your blood. When the oestrogen reaches the pituitary gland in your brain, the pituitary gland responds by releasing the luteinising hormone. This hormone gives the follicle a sudden growth spurt.
Right before ovulation, the egg inside the follicle detaches itself. The follicle starts to release chemicals that encourage the nearby fallopian tube to move closer and surround the follicle.
The follicle swells until it bursts open, ejecting the egg and fluid into the abdominal cavity.
Small finger like protrusions at the end of the fallopian tube, called fimbriae, sweep across the burst follicle and pick up the egg.
The egg is transported to the entrance of the fallopian tube. Once inside the walls of the fallopian tube, muscle contractions push the egg gently towards the uterus.
The egg will either meet s***m on its journey through the fallopian tube and fertilisation will happen, or it will arrive in the uterus unfertilised and be absorbed back into the body.
the menstrual cycle
The menstrual cycle.
