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Menstrual Cycle

The menstrual cycle in its essential form serves the purpose of keeping the woman’s body, specifically the genitalia of the woman, on a constant update type cycle. It rebuilds the lining of the uterus, fertilizes an egg and rids the body of “outdated” material trapped in the body if not otherwise depleted from the body by the body. In this process of cleaning and rebuilding the woman’s uterus there are particular hormones set in place to aid in doing so. These particular hormones hold the acronym of F.E.L.O.P., which stands for FSH, Estrogen, LH, Ovulation, Progesterone. Each of these has a specific job. Starting with FSH; it’s a hormone secreted by the pituitary gland in the brain that stimulates the growth and maturation of eggs in females. The E is estrogen, which is basically the female version of the hormone testosterone. Estrogen is found in the ovaries. The L is LH, which is a hormone that works with FSH to control ovarian cycle. They also help develop sex hormones. The O is ovulation, which is a big deal in this cycle because that is when the egg is released from the ovary. In this particular time of the cycle (around the 14th day) that is the most fertile time for a woman. Lastly the P is for progesterone. Progesterone is found in the ovary as well and is produced during this cycle but produced the most during pregnancy in the placenta. Its purpose is to prepare the uterus for the development and growth of the egg. This meticulous process is one that women face every month and it is very important to the well being of the woman but just as importantly the potential life that could be brought into the world.