What happens during a menstrual cycle?
Generally the start of the menstrual cycle is considered to be the period, where the lining of the uterus leaves the vagina. This complex cycle is controlled by hormones, where Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) develops the follicle, this hormone is released into the blood by the pituitary gland in the brain. The developing follicle realeases oestrogen which causes the lining of the uterus to thicken, and also inhibits the release of FSH so no more follicles are mature (hence why one ovum is released a month) A surge of oestrogen causes a surge in FSH and another hormone called luteinising hormone (LH), this hormone causes ovulation, where the oocyte (or ovum) is released, leaving behind the follicle it developed in, LH causes this to be developed into the corpus luteum. This corpus luteum releases the final hormone called progesterone, which maintains the uterus lining (or endometrium) ready for fertilisation to occur, if it doesn’t, then the corpus luteum dies, progesterone secretio
