Shannon Menstrual Cycle

Menstrual Phase

Phase when the lining of the uterus is shed due to no pregnancy occurring; characterized by low estrogen and progesterone levels.

Follicular Phase

Phase from the start of the period until ovulation, where estrogen rises and several ovarian follicles mature.

Ovulation Phase

The phase when a surge of LH causes the dominant follicle to release an egg, occurring around Day 14.

Luteal Phase

Phase after ovulation where the corpus luteum produces progesterone, maintaining the uterine lining until menstruation starts.

FSH

Follicle-stimulating hormone that stimulates the maturation of ovarian follicles during the follicular phase.

LH

Luteinizing hormone that triggers ovulation and the release of the egg from the dominant follicle.

Corpus Luteum

The structure formed from the empty follicle after ovulation that secretes progesterone.

Endometrium

The lining of the uterus that thickens during the menstrual cycle and is shed during menstruation.

PMS

Premenstrual syndrome, symptoms that occur before menstruation, often linked to hormonal changes during the luteal phase.

Estrogen

A hormone that rises during the follicular phase, helping to thicken the uterine lining.

Progesterone

A hormone primarily active during the luteal phase that maintains the uterine lining.