The female cycle and ovulation

The female cycle begins on the first day of menstruation and lasts an average day on 28th The cycle is divided into several phases, in which one fertilization egg matures and after fertilization in the uterine lining can nest. The menstrual cycle by age, the body, the psyche, the metabolism and the production of various hormones in the body affected by.

The cycle is divided into the following phases:

1st Half of the cycle: maturation stage of follicles (follicular phase)
Mid-cycle: ovulation
2nd Half of the cycle: luteal phase

The phases of the menstrual cycle

In each cycle phases of play from different processes within the body.

Maturation stage of follicles (follicular phase)

The first periode is the first day of menstruation. It starts the ripening of the follicles (follicular phase). The hypothalamus, a part of the midbrain, distributes a hormone GnRH from it, whereupon the formation of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) in the pituitary gland is stimulated. In ovarian mature now under the influence of FSH about 40 to 100 follicles (follicles up). They produce estrogen - the female sex hormones.

Only one of the follicles developed normally to pounce dominant follicle. If it happens once in a way that several follicles develop further and several be fertilized, resulting multiple births.

Towards the middle of the periode, estrogen increased the lead to the fact that the cervical canal (endocervical canal) is expanding and the cervical mucus is clear and well spinnable, watery. The mucus can be used together between two fingers in about ten to twelve inches long pull strings. For sperm, he is now particularly well permeable.

The duration of the follicular phase is variable and ends at the time of ovulation. In a cycle of 28 days is about 14 days. In a cycle of 35 days they will take about 21 days.

Ovulation

Just before ovulation, estrogen secretion by a rapid increase in the hormone LH triggered. Together with the already risen progesterone LH triggers the then ten to twelve hours after ovulation from the. This means that a dominant follicle in the ovary mature egg is expelled from the fallopian tube and travels in. Without this LH-peak "of ovulation can not take place.

Ovulation is the prerequisite for a female egg can be fertilized by a male sperm cell. An egg after ovulation is still about 12 to 24 hours fertilized.

Luteal phase

The second half of the periode begins with ovulation and always takes 14 days.

From the remains of the follicle that remain in the ovary, become the corpus luteum (corpus luteum). This small gland produces for a short time, the corpus luteum hormone progesterone. It ensures that after ovulation within two days the body temperature increases a woman at least 0.3 degrees Celsius. During the luteal phase, the temperature remains constantly increased.

Progesterone and estrogen in the second half of the cycle ensure that the mucous membrane of the uterus and for receiving a fertilized egg is prepared to set up. The mucosa is then increasingly thicker. Nests are fertilized ovum a one remains in the subsequent menstrual bleeding.

If, however, was not fertilized during the fertile days, the egg is formed the corpus luteum at the end of the periode back again. The decrease of progesterone triggers the menstrual bleeding, breaks in the lining of the uterus and is expelled.

Bleeding occurred simultaneously with the rise in the blood of women, the values of the hormones estrogen and LH and FSH were connected, and a new cycle begins.

How long will the cycle phases?

The female cycle lasts an average of 28 days, with variations in 21-35 days are considered normal.

Since the second half of the periode (luteal phase) for each woman for 14 days and lasts only the first half of the periode varies in length, may be the time of ovulation at midcycle calculated easily, provided that the duration of your cycle is known.

The following table shows how long the two phases of the cycle and likely to which days in mid-cycle with ovulation.

Cycle length	26 days	27 days	28 days	29 days	30 days	31 days
1st Half of the periode	1st to 10 Day	1st to 11 Day	1st to 12 Day	1st to 13 Day	1st to 14 Day	1st to 15 Day
Mid-cycle (ovulation)	11th to 12 Day	12th to 13 Day	13th to 14 Day	14th to 15 Day	15th to 16 Day	16th to 17 Day
2nd Half of the periode	13th to 26 Day	14th to 27 Day	15th to 28 Day	16th to 29 Day	17th 30 Day	18th 31 Day

Possible mood disorders in the course of the cycle

The hormonal changes during the periode can affect the mood of a woman individually. Often the effects are not even consciously recognized.

Thus, the increased estrogen production in the first phase of the cycle lift the mood, while the increased production of progesterone in the second phase of the periode effect rather reassuring. The mammary gland, either through the hormonal changes in the second phase of the periode in size. The breasts are then more blood and the tissue tends to store water.

Some women feel at ovulation the so-called Mittelschmerz. This is probably caused by the maturation and rupture of the follicle at ovulation.

The term "premenstrual syndrome" (PMS), tension feelings are mood disorders such as mental imbalance or in the breasts together. The PMS only occurs in some women and then the end of a cycle against. The first phase of the cycle of symptoms. The exact causes of PMS have not been clearly resolved.

Influences on the cycle

The female cycle factors can be influenced by different. Irregularities of the periode of menstrual disorders be identified. Reasons for this can, for example, hormonal or psychological imbalance, metabolic disorders or abnormalities in the genital area be.

Cycle disorders

Cycle disorders do not lead necessarily to infertility. You can have children, but the performance of a stand in the way, if the absent menstruation entirely, taking place in the periodes do not ovulate or do not function properly, the female sex organs. It is always useful to clarify the causes of menstrual disorders with a physician.

Hormonal contraceptives

Hormonal contraceptives as birth control pills containing estrogen and progestogen combinations of either or only progestogens. To access the course of the periode in one, because they release hormones in the body and so a pregnancy to prevent. A distinction is made between contraceptives, suppressing ovulation and the preparations, the implantation of the fertilized egg in the uterine lining suppress.

Women with irregular cycles or discomfort during menstruation, can help to take hormonal contraceptives to a reduction in complaints and even periodes. A doctor can help in the individual case.