Different Phases Of The Menstrual Cycle

The menstrual cycle can be divided into three different phases - the follicular phase^?, ovulation and the luteal phase^?. These different phases of the menstrual cycle have different functions and are regulated by several hormones, which can explain the variations in cycle length.

The follicular phase

The follicular phase lasts from the first day of your period to the day of ovulation. During this phase, your body prepares itself to accept and support a pregnancy. The endometrium^? (lining of the uterus^?) grows and thickens, and the vaginal environment^? also changes in order to become more sperm^? friendly. In the ovaries, several ovarian follicles (small sacs in which the egg^?/ovule matures) develop, of which one becomes dominant before ovulation. This phase is called the follicular phase because growth and maturation of the egg/ovule occurs inside a follicle, and the two hormones dominating the follicular phase are follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and estradiol^? (a form of oestrogen).

Ovulation

Ovulation is the key event of the menstrual cycle. Each cycle, only one egg/ovule is released from the dominant ovarian follicle in response to a surge in luteinising hormone^? (LH), and can only be fertilised for up to 48 hours. It is important to accurately identify when you are ovulating if you are trying for a baby in order to maximise your chances of getting pregnant.

The luteal phase

The luteal phase is the final phase of the menstrual cycle and lasts from your day of ovulation to the last day before your next period. Glands in the endometrium (lining of the uterus) secrete^? proteins in preparation for the implantation^? of the fertilised egg (embryo^?). If you get pregnant, the embryo will implant itself in the endometrium during this phase. If implantation does not occur, the endometrium starts to break down and is eventually sloughed off: this is menstruation^?. The luteal phase is named after the corpus luteum^? (Latin for "yellow body"), a structure that grows in the ovary^?. It is dominated by progesterone^?, which is also the hormone responsible for the rise in body basal temperature (BBT).

Precise identification of your ovulation day allows you to time your baby-making intercourse for the most fertile days of your menstrual cycle to increase your chances of getting pregnant. Confirmation of ovulation in the home environment is only possible through measuring body basal temperature (BBT). It is therefore necessary for the temperature measurement to be highly accurate in order to confirm ovulation within hours - an advantage made possible with DuoFertility. The exact determination of your day of ovulation also allows you to identify the length of your luteal phase, which will help you know when to expect your period or a positive pregnancy test result.

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