Menstrual Cycle

Menstruation (Period)

The shedding of the endometrium when there is no fertilized egg.

Follicular phase

The phase from Day 1 to Day 13 when the brain signals follicles to grow the egg and the endometrium starts to thicken.

Ovulation Phase

The phase on Day 14 when the follicle bursts and the mature egg leaves the ovaries into the fallopian tubes.

Luteal Phase

The phase from Day 15 to Day 28 where the follicle turns into the corpus luteum and produces progesterone.

Corpus luteum

The structure that forms from the follicle after ovulation and produces progesterone.

Oestrogen

A hormone that rises during the follicular phase to prepare for ovulation.

Progesterone

A hormone produced by the corpus luteum that prepares the uterine lining for a fertilized egg.

PMS symptoms

Physical and emotional symptoms that can occur when progesterone and oestrogen levels drop if there is no pregnancy.

Days 1-7

The days of menstruation when the endometrium sheds.

Days 1-13

The period of the follicular phase.

Day 14

The day of ovulation when a mature egg is released.

Highly fertile

The term describing the state of females during the ovulation phase when a mature egg has just been released.

Endometrium

The lining of the uterus that thickens in preparation for a fertilized egg.

No pregnancy

The condition leading to a drop in progesterone and oestrogen levels that can trigger PMS symptoms and menstruation.

Fertilized egg

An egg that has been successfully fertilized, prompting the production of hormones to maintain the uterine lining.

Fallopian tubes

The tubes through which the egg travels from the ovaries after ovulation.