The female cycle - basics

The monthly cycle of a woman is a complex process, which on the one hand determines fertility, and on the other hand is of decisive importance for the health and well-being of the woman. The beginning of menstruation is also the beginning of the cycle. The mucous membrane of the uterus, which was built up to enable the implantation of a fertilized egg, is shed. After menstruation, the cervix is closed by a mucus plug. It prevents the penetration of sperm. The messenger substance FSH (follicle stimulating hormone) now stimulates the growth of a follicle (egg follicle) in the ovary. The follicle grows as the amount of fluid inside the follicle increases. Due to the increasing internal pressure, the egg is ready for ovulation between the 12th and 16th day in the follicle. At the same time, the release of female hormones (estrogen) increases. This ensures that the cervical mucus liquefies and becomes permeable to sperm. An egg remains fertile for only about 12 to 24 hours.

Fertilization (fertilization)

Within a few hours after ovulation, fertilization can take place in the fallopian tube. During this time, the otherwise closed cervix becomes permeable to sperm and, by secreting special sugar substances, ensures that the sperm cells remain alive and mobile. If a sperm manages to penetrate the cytoplasm of the nucleus, the two fuse and fertilization takes place. At the same time, access for all other sperm is blocked to prevent fertilization with multiple sperm (polyspermy block) - as this would result in a multiple set of chromosomes.