Summary Chap.5 Par.

Egg cell development begins in puberty and ends with menopause. The egg cells have to develop and
mature at a rate of one egg cell every month. At the same time the uterus has to be made ready
because it could receive a fertilized egg cell. This process repeats itself month after month, it is a
cycle: the menstrual cycle.

When an egg cell is released into the oviduct, the uterus changes. The lining of the uterus starts to
thicken, this is needed for the fertilised egg cells so they can attach themselves to this lining to grow
and develop into a baby.

When there is no fertilised egg there would of course not be a pregnancy. Then the thickened lining
of the uterus will disappear after a few days, this is called menstrual flow. There are three phases in
one menstrual cycle:

Phase 1: First few days starts with the menstrual flow. This goes on for 4-6 days, this period is called
the menstruation.

Phase 2: The female hormone oestrogen is produced by the ovaries, causing the lining of the uterus
to thicken. Another hormone is called Follicle Stimulating Hormone, produced by the pituitary gland,
causing the egg cell inside the ovary to develop. When the egg cell is fully developed, ovulation
occurs. This mainly happens after 14 days into the cycle. When the egg cell is inside the oviduct it has
to be fertilised within one day, otherwise it will day. Sperm cells can survive three days in an female
body

Phase 3: Hormones continue to thicken the lining of the uterus. When an egg cell is not fertilised the
lining if the uterus breaks down. The after about 28 days the menstruation begins again.

Menstruation starts mainly between the age of 9 and 13, and it ends between the age of 45 and 60.
When you get older the hormone production becomes less and eventually it stops. When the
production of hormones stops, ovulation also stops.