Themenstrualcycleisanaturalbiologicalprocessthatoccursinthefemalereproductivesystem.Ittypicallylastsabout28days,althoughvariationsbetween21to35daysarecommon.Thecyclepreparesthebodyforpotentialpregnancyeachmonthandinvolveshormonalchangesthatregulateovulation(thereleaseofaneggfromtheovaries)andthethickeningoftheuterinelining.Ifpregnancydoesnotoccur,theliningsheds,resultinginmenstruation(aperiod).Thecycleconsistsoffourmainphases:menstruation,thefollicularphase,ovulation,andthelutealphase.Factorslikestress,diet,andhealthconditionscaninfluencecycleregularity.Themenstrualcycleplaysakeyroleinfertilityandoverallreproductivehealth.
