Discuss the menstrual cycle experienced by females in detail. Give detailed explanation.

Explanation

When a female reaches puberty, the female reproductive organs (ovaries) start releasing egg cells or ova. Each month, either of the ovaries present in the body of a female releases an egg (or ovum) into the fallopian tube or oviduct. This process is known as ovulation. The released egg stays in the fallopian tube for some time in anticipation of a sperm cell that could fertilize it. The egg then moves into the uterus. During this time, the walls of the uterus become thick. If the egg cell that reaches the uterus is fertilized into a zygote, it gets implanted on the uterine wall and slowly develops into a baby. However, if an unfertilized egg reaches the uterus, the egg and the thick lining on the uterine wall are shed off through the vagina, along with blood. This bleeding is known as menstruation, period or menses, and lasts for about 4 to 6 days. The process of production of a mature ovum from an ovary, its release into the fallopian tube, the thickening of the uter ine wall and the shedding of this layer along with the unfertilized egg is called menstrual cycle and it repeats itself every 28 to 30 days in females.