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While most women have some understanding of their menstrual cycles, many are surprised to learn that they don't know much about the ovulation cycle itself -- or that there's even a difference!
Primarily used in reference to the uterine lining, or endometrium, and its cycle of
Refers to the development of follicles to the point of release from the ovary and eventual development of the corpus luteum.
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Naturally, these two cycles are inter-related, working together in well-timed concert (in the best of circumstances) to produce female fertility. Here, we will detail the ovulation cycle...
It all begins when a female is still growing in her own mother's womb, specifically, some time between weeks 14 and 20 of the pregnancy. That's when all the oocytes (eggs) that a female will ever have in her lifetime, estimated at around seven million, are created in her ovaries. From that point on, her oocytes decrease, so much so that at the female's birth, her eggs have dwindled to only about two million.
Ovulation, then, is not the manufacture of oocyte cells, but the maturing and release of them, contrary to the male's continual production of sperm.
From their beginning, oocytes are surrounded by follicle cells which will nourish the eggs for up to 50 years or more (until menopause). Most follicles will not mature and ovulate, but will die and be reabsorbed into the ovary through a process called atresia. It is important to know that atresia progresses always, regardless of pregnancy, use of hormonal contraceptives, and even amenorrhea (lack of menstruation) -- a female is constantly losing eggs. By the time she has her first period, there are approximately 300,000 left in her ovaries.
Count first day of menstrual period as Cycle Day (CD) 1.
Maturation and release of oocytes is controlled by the following hormones:
© Tracy Morris
