The Female Reproductive System - Essay Example

The female reproductive organs are influenced by several hormones and influence the menstrual cycle. Females in the reproductive age group have cycles of hormonal activity at one-month intervals. Each cycle prepares the body for potential pregnancy. This is known as a menstrual cycle. The average menstrual cycle is about 28 days and consists of 3 phases: the follicular phase, followed by the ovulatory phase and finally the luteal phase. The hormones involved in the menstrual cycle are estrogen, progesterone, follicle-stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone.

The follicular phase begins on the first day of periods. During this phase, the follicular stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone, which is released from the brain stimulate the ovaries and cause the growth of about 15-20 eggs in the ovaries (Welt, 2013). Each egg lies in the follicle. These hormones also trigger the production of estrogen from the follicles and increased secretion of this hormone decreases secretion of follicle stimulating hormone. Such a balancing action limits the stimulation of the number of follicles.

During the follicular phase, ultimately, only one follicle dominates and matures. This dominant follicle suppresses other follicles. The other stimulated follicles stop growing and disintegrate. The dominant follicle continues to secrete estrogen (Welt, 2013). The next phase is the ovulatory phase. Ovulation occurs 14 days after the follicular phase has started. This is the midpoint of the menstrual cycle.. Following fertilization, the egg moves into the uterus and gets implanted into the endometrial lining of the uterus (Waters, 2007).

The female reproductive organs are influenced by several hormones and influence the menstrual cycle. Females in the reproductive age group have cycles of hormonal activity at one month intervals. Each cycle prepares the body for potential pregnancy (Cleveland Clinic, 2013). This is known as menstrual cycle. Average menstrual cycle is about 28 days and consists of 3 phases: the follicular phase, followed by the ovulatory phase and finally the luteal phase. The hormones involved in the menstrual cycle are estrogen, progesterone, follicle-stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone.

The follicular phase begins on the first day of periods. During this phase, the follicular stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone, which are released from the brain stimulate the ovaries and cause growth of about 15-20 eggs in the ovaries (Welt, 2013). Each egg lies in the follicle. These hormones also trigger the production of estrogen from the follicles and increased secretion of this hormone decreases secretion of follicle stimulating hormone. Such a balancing action limits the stimulation of the number of follicles.

During the follicular phase, ultimately, only one follicle dominates and matures. This dominant follicle suppresses other follicles. The other stimulated follicles stop growing and disintegrate. The dominant follicle continues to secrete estrogen (Welt, 2013). The next phase is the ovulatory phase. Ovulation occurs 14 days after the follicular phase has started. This is the midpoint of the menstrual cycle. In this phase, the rise in estrogen triggers the surge in the secretion of luteinizing