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Ovulation
Ovulation is the release of a mature egg from the ovary surface.
In this phase, the pituitary gland increases production of a
hormone which triggers the follicle and ovary to open up and
release the mature egg.
This occurs mid-way through the menstrual cycle, between days
12 and 16 for women with a 28 day cycle.
The luteal phase
The luteal phase is the time from ovulation until the first day of
menstruation.
During this phase the follicle from which the mature egg was
released transforms into a structure known as the corpus luteum
and produces large amounts of the hormone progesterone, as
well as small amounts of oestrogen. These hormones contribute
to the further thickening and maintenance of the lining of the
uterus in preparation for the embedding of a fertilised egg.
If fertilisation of the egg does not occur, the corpus luteum dies
and progesterone levels decline leading to the breakdown of the
uterus lining, which is shed through the vagina as a period
(menstruation)
Menstruation
Menstruation occurs when the broken down lining of the uterus
flows from the body through the vagina.
Menstruation generally lasts from 3 to 7 days. The length of a
period can differ between women, and between cycles in
individuals.
References:
Menstrual cycle Better health channel. Available at
www.betterhealth.vic.gov. [Accessed November 2010].
The Ring
Once inserted, the ring can be left in the vagina for 3 weeks. It is then
removed for a week to allow for a menstrual period.
One week after you have removed your ring, you insert a new
contraceptive ring.
Other considerations
The contraceptive ring is self-inserted and removed. When properly
inserted in the vagina, it shouldn't be felt nor should it interfere with
having sex.
Return to pre-existing fertility is likely to occur within the first cycle after
ceasing to use the ring. Your doctor will be able to answer any questions
you may have about the ring.
The information provided on this website about medicines is taken from
the relevant Product Information/Consumer Medicine Information
leaflets. Please see your doctor or pharmacist for more information on
individual options.
The menstrual cycle is the monthly series of changes a woman's body goes through
in preparation for the possibility of pregnancy. Each month, one of the ovaries
releases an egg a process called ovulation. At the same time, hormonal changes
prepare the uterus for pregnancy. If ovulation takes place and the egg isn't fertilized,
the lining of the uterus sheds through the vagina. This is a menstrual period.
What's normal?
The menstrual cycle, which is counted from the first day of one period to the first day
of the next, isn't the same for every woman. Menstrual flow might occur every 21 to
35 days and last two to seven days. For the first few years after menstruation begins,
long cycles are common. However, menstrual cycles tend to shorten and become
more regular as you age.
Your menstrual cycle might be regular about the same length every month or
somewhat irregular, and your period might be light or heavy, painful or pain-free, long
or short, and still be considered normal. Within a broad range, "normal" is what's
normal for you.
Keep in mind that use of certain types of contraception, such as extended-cycle birth
control pills, will alter your menstrual cycle. Talk to your health care provider about
what to expect.
To find out what's normal for you, start keeping a record of your menstrual cycle on a
calendar or with the help of a smartphone application. Begin by tracking your start
date every month for several months in a row to identify the regularity of your
periods.
If you're concerned about your periods, then also make note of the following every
month:
End date. How long does your period typically last? Is it longer or
shorter than usual?
Pain. Describe any pain associated with your period. Does the pain
feel worse than usual?
For some women, use of birth control pills can help regulate menstrual cycles.
However, some menstrual irregularities can't be prevented.
Regular pelvic exams can help ensure that problems afecting your reproductive
organs are diagnosed as soon as possible.
In addition, consult your health care provider if:
Your periods suddenly stop for more than 90 days and you're not
pregnant
You bleed more heavily than usual or soak through more than one
pad or tampon every hour or two
Your periods are less than 21 days or more than 35 days apart
You suddenly get a fever and feel sick after using tampons
Remember, tracking your menstrual cycle can help you find out what's normal for you
and what isn't. If you have questions or concerns about your menstrual cycle, talk to
your health care provider.
The first day of your menstrual cycle is the first day of your period (day
1). The period usually then lasts anything from 3 to 7 days. Youll
probably find that if you get any period pains, theyll be at their worst in
the first few days of your period. This is because the hormones in your
body are causing your womb to actively shed the lining that was built up
in the previous menstrual cycle.
Preparing for ovulation
At the beginning of your cycle follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) is
produced by the pituitary gland in your brain. This is the main hormone
involved in stimulating your ovaries to produce mature eggs. Follicles are
the fluid-filled cavities in your ovaries. Each follicle contains one
undeveloped egg. The FSH stimulates a number of follicles to develop
and start to produce the hormone estrogen. Your level of estrogen is at
its lowest on the first day of your period. From then on, it starts to
increase as the follicles grow.
Now while a number of follicles initially begin to develop, normally one
follicle becomes dominant and this egg matures within the enlarging
follicle. At the same time, the increasing amount of estrogen in your body
makes sure that the lining of your womb is thickening with nutrients and
blood. This is so that if you do get pregnant, the fertilised egg will have
all the nutrients and support it needs to grow. High estrogen levels are
also associated with the appearance of sperm-friendly mucus (or, to
give it its technical name, fertile cervical mucus). You may notice this as
a thin, slippery discharge that may be cloudy white. Sperm can swim
more easily through this mucus and can survive in it for several days.
After ovulation
Once the egg (or ovum) has been released, it moves along the Fallopian
tube towards your womb. The egg can live for up to 24 hours. Sperm
survival is more variable, but typically 3-5 days, so the days leading up
to ovulation and the day of ovulation itself are your most fertile when
you are most likely to get pregnant. As soon as you have ovulated, the
follicle starts producing another hormone: progesterone.
Progesterone causes further build up the lining of your womb in
preparation for a fertilised egg. Meanwhile, the empty follicle within the
ovary starts to shrink, but carries on producing progesterone, and also
starts to produce estrogen. You may get symptoms of pre-menstrual
tension (PMS) such as breast tenderness, bloating, lethargy, depression
and irritability at this stage.
If the egg has been fertilised, it may successfully implant itself into the
womb lining. This usually takes place about a week after fertilisation.
As soon as the fertilised egg has implanted, your body starts producing
the pregnancy hormone, human Chorionic Gonadotrophin (hCG), which
will keep the empty follicle active. It continues to produce the hormones
estrogen and progesterone to prevent the lining of the womb from being
shed, until the placenta (which contains all the nutrients the embryo
needs) is mature enough to maintain the pregnancy.