All About Ovulation Pain
3. The Ovarian Cycle
The ovarian cycle describes the changes in the ovary throughout the menstrual cycle. It can be divided into the follicular, ovulation, and luteal phase. In the follicular phase, the follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) stimulates the development of several follicles.
These follicles are already present in the ovary during birth (in females). One follicle will mature fully (tertiary or Graafian follicle) and contains the ovum. In the ovulation phase, the luteinizing hormone (LH) level peaks. The LH helps the egg mature and weakens the walls of the Graafian follicle, allowing it to rupture and release the egg. After the egg is released, the luteal phase begins. This is where the FSH and LH functions to transform the remaining follicle to become the corpus luteum. The corpus luteum is important as it produces progesterone.
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