If you are a woman who wants to get pregnant, learning how your reproductive health works is very important. You should keep in mind that the reproductive system plays a very important role in your chances of conceiving. It could either increase or decrease your chances having a baby.
In understanding the reproductive system, there are two main areas that should be understood, Menstruation and Ovulation.
Menstruation is the most visible phase of the menstrual cycle. It is a process wherein every month, the woman’s body goes through normal and natural alterations which aid the ovaries to release an egg that might get fertilized during the course of the month. The day one of the woman’s cycle happens at the very first day of menstruation. A total of 28 days is the average cycle, however it is still normal for a cycle to last anywhere from 24 to 34 days.
The usual menstrual cycle start off at the beginning of the period. At this point, small hormone intensities create a signal to a woman’s body to enhance hormone production level. Although the egg follicles start off producing up to 20 eggs, only one egg will mature. And this egg will be delivered into the fallopian tube approximately halfway through the menstrual cycle.
Ovulation is the expression used to illustrate the process wherein the egg is being released by the egg follicles. At this point, the rising levels of estrogen elicit a surge of luteinising hormone (LH), which causes the egg to be discharge all the way through the ovary wall.
The process of ovulation takes place within 14 days before the beginning of menstruation. However it is still normal for the ovulation to occur anytime with in 12 to 18 days prior to menstruation. At this moment, the woman is really fertile and has potential to conceive. Due to the increase in the production of hormone, not only does the egg get developed but so does the endometrium or the inner lining of the uterus. It becomes thick due to the preparation for the implantation of a fertilized egg. In order to help build a healthy endometrium for implantation the progesterone is produced.
A further alteration which happens with in the ovulation is the stage wherein the cervical mucus changed from dry and thick to thin and slick. These changes assist the sperms journey headed to the fallopian tube and released egg. At the discharged egg, there is a spasms occurrence in the sides of the fallopian tubes sequentially to help the egg as it journeys down the tube going to the uterus. However, if the egg is not fertilized, it will fall apart upon reaching the uterus.
Note, once the egg is not fertilized, the thickened endometrium lining is no longer essential, thus it breaks down, causing the menstruation. During this time, the woman’s body produces follicle which stimulates the hormone (FSH) to set off the follicles in both ovaries to start off as maturing eggs. Simultaneously, the follicles produce estrogen.