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Amazing Facts of Fertility Cycles

First of all, menstruation is not exactly 'bleeding'. The bloody discharge is Endometrium [uterine lining] that had built up during the previous cycle, along with about 2.5 ounces of blood and other fluids. Endometrium provides an excellent environment for the implantation of a fertilized Ovum [egg]. If implantation never happen, level of a hormone known as Progesterone will drop and this will cause the Endometrium to be unsustainable, it is then shed away in the process of menstruation. Therefore, no conception is possible during menstruation as all the unfertilized elements are being disposed during this stage.

Low level of Progesterone, which is causing the menstruation process is also responsible for the secretion of another important hormone by the Pituitary Gland known as Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH), and this part of the cycle is also known as Follicular Phase. FSH stimulates the Ovary to develop Follicles to begin development of another Ovum during the new cycle and it is during the development of the new Ovum, another hormone known as Estrogen is secreted and as the level of this hormone increases, your body will build up Endometrium again in anticipation of implantation by a fertilized Ovum during the new cycle. 

The reason why you remain Infertile after menstruation is because Ovulation will only occur, normally after a few days following the secretion of Cervical Mucus [CM] which is absent throughout Phase 1 but it is absolutely essential for the Sperm to live for 4 - 5 days in order to fertilize the Ovum. Sperm can only survive for a few hours otherwise.

By the end of menstruation, Gonadotropin Releasing Hormone [GnRH] triggers the release of Luteinizing Hormone [LH] by the Pituitary Gland. The LH works with Follicle-Stimulating Hormone [FSH] that has been released since the start of the cycle to cause the Ovarian Follicles to grow even more rapidly. Generally, one Follicle will outpace the rest in development. The Dominant Follicle will eventually be released in the process of Ovulation.

With the continued growth of the Dominant Follicle, its outer cells secrete even more Estrogen. The increase in Estrogen is responsible for the rebuilding of Endometrium lining, which had been shed during the previous Menstruation. The increased Estrogen will cause the glands around Cervix to secrete Cervical Mucus [CM] and normally, the CM will appear in relatively small amount at first. It is thick and tacky, cloudy and most of the time, yellowish in color. Most obvious of all is perhaps its elastic characteristics; it is hardly stretchable and will break up easily. As level of Estrogen increases further, it will become clearer and eventually resembling raw egg white. By then,  the CM will be relatively abundant in volume, its texture will become very watery and slippery and it will be highly stretchable in nature.

CM serves several purposes in human reproduction: 

1. as a natural Lubricant to facilitate sexual intercourse,

2. provides Nutrients for Sperm to live for up to 4-5 days and,

3. provides Sperm with a Conductive Environment to travel to the Fallopian Tubes

4)   CM is the principal element enabling conception to take place. Without its presence, Sperm would die within a few hours.

High level of Estrogen which used to suppress the production of Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH) and Luteinizing Hormone (LH) initially, will eventually trigger a surge in LH production by the Pituitary Gland as well as reduce the release of FSH. This surge will produce about 6 to 10 times more than the normal amount of LH and it will typically occur within 12-36 hours before Ovulation. High level of LH is easily detectable by Ovulation Predictor Kit [OPK] and Electronic Fertility Monitoring Device [EFMD] to predict peak fertility. The combination of decreased FSH coupled with high level of LH will cause the Dominant Follicle to stop producing Estrogen. At the same time, the drop in Estrogen and the surge in LH will cause Cervical Mucus [CM] to dry up quickly. The whole process will normally take place within hours after Ovulation. Under the influence of LH and FSH, Ovarian Follicle will begin to swell and eventually rupture in the process of Ovulation, ejecting Ovum into the abdominal cavity where it is picked up by Cilia and swept into the Fallopian Tubes. Some women may feel this swelling and rupture as a sharp pain or more precisely, a twinge in their lower abdomen and usually on the right side. This phenomenon is also known as ‘Mittelschmerz’. Some woman may also experience a small amount of bleeding at this juncture. About a quarter of all woman are estimated to experience this convenient and accurate indicator of Ovulation, however, some may experience a much less precise nature with no sudden onset in the form of a ‘twinge’. While some may experience a dull ache, which may persist for a day or longer, this may or may not indicate an Ovulation and as such, observation on other ovulatory symptoms are highly recommended. 

Not only Ovulation is spurred on by high level of LH, Follicle Cells are also being transformed into Leuteinizng Cells known as Corpus Luteum. The cells will attach themselves to the interior of the ovarian wall and under the influence of LH, the cells will secrete large amount of Progesterone, which will cause a perceptible Thermal Shift, a phenomenon monitored by the system and when detected, the Thermal Shift will serve as a positive indication that an Ovulation has occurred.

For approximately two weeks after Ovulation, Progesterone is released by Corpus Luteum [used to be Ovarian Follicle prior to the transformation] while it is attached to the ovarian wall. Progesterone causes Endometrium to remain conducive to the implantation of a fertilized Ovum, it will also cause your body temperature to rise perceptibly, typically at 0.4°F or 0.2°C and within 24 hours after Ovulation and it will reach a level that is high enough to prevent the Ovaries from releasing another Ovum. It will also cause Estrogen level to drop and this will result in the drying up of Cervical Mucus [CM]. This particular period of the Fertility Cycle is known as Luteal Phase, its length is usually quite consistent as it is not affected by external factors such as stress. 

Fertilization takes place when a single Sperm unites with Ovum in the Fallopian Tube, a new single cell known as Zygote is the union of these two Gametes. First order of the business for the Zygote after the implantation is to secrete hCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin). This particular hormone will cause the Corpus Luteum to continue to secrete Progesterone, which is essential to maintain the Endometrium built up and to prevent menstruation as well as miscarriage. Within 7-10 days after the fertilization, Zygote will implant itself into the Endometrium.

In the event fertilization is not successful, progesterone levels will drop and menstruation will start all over again ... download GenderLabs™ v1.3 for more information