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Menstrual cycle, Series of cyclic changes occurring in the ovaries and female genital tract., Prepares the female for fertilization and pregnancy, It is characterised by vaginal bleeding called menstruation which lasts for about 3-5 days, Repeated at an average interval of about 28/29 days, Menarche-beginning of menstruation or first menstruation,begins at puberty. , Menopause-period when ovulation and menstrual cycle stop (50years),due to decline in estrogen level

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Menstrual cycle, The menstrual cycle consists of three phases, Menstrual phase, Proliferative phase, Ovulatory phase, Secretory phase

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Menstrual phase, It lasts for about 3-5 days, Menstrual flow results due to breakdown of endometrial lining of uterus and its blood vessels which forms liquid that comes out through vagina, Occurs if the released ovum is not fertilised, Corpus luteum degenerates, causes disintegration of endometrial lining leading to menstruation, Production of LH reduce---degeneration of corpus luteum---progesterone reduce---endometrium breakdown----menstruation

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Proliferative phase/ follicular phase, FSH stimulates the change of primary follicle into a fully mature Graafian follicle, FSH stimulates the secretion of estrogens by the growing follicles, Estrogens stimulate the proliferation of the endometrium of the uterine wall (becomes thick, more vascular and glandular)

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Ovulatory phase, Both LH and FSH attain a peak level in the middle of cycle (14th day), Rapid secretion of LH (LH surge) induces rupturing of Graafian follicle and thereby the release of ovum, ovulation

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Luteal phase/secretory phase, corpus luteum (yellow body) formed from empty Graafian follicle increases in size, Corpus luteum secretes large amount of progesterone,essential for maintenance of endometrium (necessary for implantation and pregnancy), Decreases the secretion of FSH and LH, In the absence of fertilisation, the corpus luteum degenerates, This causes disintegration of endometrial lining leading to menstruation