Menstrual Cycle 🩸

1. Big Picture

The menstrual cycle is the regular reproductive rhythm in girls and women after puberty. It starts with the first period (menarche) and usually repeats every $$28/29\text{ days}$$ until it stops forever at menopause (around 50 years). During each cycle only one egg pops out right in the middle! 🎯:contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}

2. The Four Phases (and Their Feel!)

🩸 Menstrual Phase (Days 1–3/5)

The cycle kicks off with bleeding that lasts 3–5 days. The inner uterine lining (endometrium) and its tiny vessels break apart and leave the body through the vagina. This happens only when the egg from the last cycle wasn’t fertilised. If no period shows up, pregnancy—or sometimes stress or illness—might be the reason.

🌱 Follicular Phase (Days 1–13)

Meanwhile in the ovary, “baby” follicles grow into a mature Graafian follicle, while the uterus rebuilds its endometrium. Two pituitary buddies—FSH and LH—rise steadily and push follicle growth. Estrogen from the growing follicle also helps the uterine lining thicken and stay comfy.:contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}

✨ Ovulatory Phase (~Day 14)

Both FSH and LH spike, but LH shoots up dramatically in a famous “LH surge.” This surge breaks the Graafian follicle like a bursting bubble, releasing the egg—ovulation! 🥚🚀:contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}

🌙 Luteal Phase (Days 15–28)

The empty follicle now turns golden-yellow and becomes the corpus luteum. It pours out progesterone, keeping the endometrium thick, soft, and ready for a tiny embryo to snuggle in. If fertilisation happens, periods pause for the whole pregnancy. If not, the corpus luteum fades away, progesterone crashes, the endometrium collapses—and a fresh period starts the next cycle.

3. Hormone Dashboard 🔄

  • FSH grows early, guides follicle growth.
  • Estrogen from the follicle thickens the uterine lining.
  • LH surge = trigger for ovulation.
  • Progesterone from the corpus luteum locks in a cozy uterus during the luteal phase.

All these hormone swings keep the ovarian and uterine events perfectly in sync.:contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}

4. Period Hygiene Tips 🧼

  • Shower daily and stay fresh. 🚿
  • Use clean sanitary pads or napkins; change them every 4–5 hours.
  • Wrap used pads in paper and bin them—never flush! ♻️
  • Wash hands thoroughly after handling pads. 🖐️🧴

Good hygiene keeps you healthy and confident.:contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}

5. Important Concepts for NEET 📋

  1. Menarche ↔ Menopause: marks the start and end of fertility span.:contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}
  2. LH surge triggers ovulation exactly mid-cycle.:contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}
  3. Role of Corpus Luteum & Progesterone in maintaining the endometrium.:contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7}
  4. Phase-wise uterine changes: breakdown (menstrual), rebuild (follicular), peak thickness (luteal).:contentReference[oaicite:8]{index=8}
  5. Average cycle length (28/29 days) & timing of ovulation (~Day 14).:contentReference[oaicite:9]{index=9}