Phases of Menstrual Cycle

Reproductive System Questions/Answers
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Question one:
The menstrual cycle (AC1.3)
Study the graph below and answer the following questions:
1. Outline the changes that are taking place in the ovary and the uterus between day 5 and 17 of the menstrual cycle.
Critical menstrual cycle phases are happening between days 5 and 17. These phases include follicular and ovulation, which are characterized by the below changes:
Follicular Phase
* The follicular phase starts on the first day of the period until ovulation. 
* The follicular phase commences during menstruation and ends at the beginning of
Ovulation.
* The follicular phase tends to overlap with the menstruation period.
* The follicular phase starts when the pituitary gland releases follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) following signaling from the hypothalamus.
* The FSH stimulates ovaries to release follicles containing immature eggs.
* More often,12-20 primary follicles start to develop due to the effects of elevated levels of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) to form secondary follicles (Holesh, Bass & Lord, 2020).
* Around day 9 of the menstrual cycle, only one healthy secondary follicle remains after the rest have been reabsorbed into the ovary.
*  The remaining follicle, often known as the dominant follicle, producing significant estrogen during the late follicular phase.
* The released estrogen surge facilitates the thickening of the uterus.
Ovulation Phase
* This phase follows the follicular stage.
* The estrogen surge during the late follicular phase excites the pituitary gland to release luteinizing hormone (LH), which marks the start of ovulation.
* Estrogen peaks just beforehand and then drop shortly afterward.
* The ovulation process is controlled by fluxing gonadotropic hormone (FSH/LH) levels (Holesh, Bass & Lord, 2020).
* Ovulation is a physiologic process marked the rupture and release of the dominant follicle from the ovary into the fallopian tube
* The fallopian tube is a region of possible fertilization of the release of the dominant follicle having an ovum or egg.
2. State one day of the cycle on which sexual intercourse could lead to pregnancy. Give a reason for your answer.
An example of a day that unprotected sexual encounters can lead to pregnancy is day 15. This day has the potential for fertilization because the luteinizing hormone is at an all-time high reaching the threshold of ovum release. Furthermore, the uterine wall is well thicked for the reception of fertilized egg.
3. Add to the graph to include other hormones important in the menstrual cycle.
Other hormones that are relevant to the above graph include luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)
4. After 28 days, the level of progesterone in the woman’s blood sometimes remains high. What could cause this?
If fertilization occurs, the corpus luteum persists and continues to produce progesterone. This progesterone from the corpus luteum stimulates increased endometrium vascularization. Once the placenta has formed, it also produces progesterone and becomes the primary producer of progest...