Phases of Menstrual Cycle

Starts on first day of menses

– if the egg is not fertilized, the thickened
uterine lining will be shed off
– woman observes bleeding which
indicate that there is no pregnancy
– this is the first day of the menstrual
bleeding
– the phase includes all days of menstrual
bleeding which usually last 3-5 days
Phases of Menstrual Cycle
continued…

Pre-ovulatory phase
- bleeding has stopped
- egg cells begin to develop
- lining of the uterus starts to thicken
- mucus forms a plug. This mucus prevents
entry of sperms
- a woman experiences dry feeling and no
mucus
- the pre-ovulatory is the infertile phase which
includes all dry days after the menstrual
bleeding stops
Phases of Menstrual Cycle
continued…
Ovulatory phase This
is the highlight of a woman’s fertility

- one mature egg is released and stays in the

fallopian tube for about 24 hours.
- the uterine lining continues to thicken.
- the mucus plug disappears.
- the mucus becomes very watery, stretchy,
slippery, and clear. This helps sperm swim to
the egg.
- mucus nourishes the sperms.
- the ovulatory phase is the fertile phase. A
woman experiences wet feeling with watery,
slippery, stretchy, and clear mucus.
Phases of Menstrual Cycle
continued…
Post-ovulatory phase
– no egg is present. If there is no meeting of egg and
sperm, the cell deteriorates and is absorbed
– lining of the uterus has thickened.
– the mucus forms a plug again to prevent entry of
sperms.
– women experience dry feeling with no mucus at all.
If mucus is present, it is sticky, cloudy, crumbly, or
pasty.
– because there is no pregnancy, the woman will
experience menstruation and another cycle begins
– the post-ovulatory phase is absolutely infertile
phase which covers about 10-16 days.