Menstrual Cycle Regulation

The menstrual cycle is regulated by hormonal signals involving the brain and ovaries. Each month, the brain releases hormones that stimulate the ovaries to produce estrogen and progesterone. These hormones prepare the uterus for pregnancy by thickening its lining. Around mid-cycle, an egg is released during ovulation. If fertilization doesn’t occur, hormone levels drop, causing the uterine lining to shed as menstrual bleeding. This cycle repeats roughly every 28 days, regulated by a complex feedback system that maintains hormone balance, coordinating ovulation, uterine readiness, and menstruation to support reproductive health.