THE ovulation is an important event in the female reproductive cycle, as it is when the gamete female is released and the female can then get pregnant. This process is part of the call ovarian cycle. Next, we will understand better what is called ovulation and how it occurs in the female body.
Read too: Gametogenesis - process in which male and female gametes are formed
What is ovulation?
It's the process of release of the mature oocyte from the ovary. Ovulation is one of the stages of the call. ovarian cycle, a series of events that occur in the ovary. The ovarian cycle is different from the one called uterine cycle. In this we have cyclical events that occur in the uterus and involve the processes of endometrial growth and its elimination through the menstruation.
The ovulation process takes place when the endometrium is ready to receive the embryo, if the oocyte is fertilized. Not occurring to fertilization, the endometrium flakes off. The ovarian and uterine cycles, although distinct, therefore have a relationship, and together they are part of the female reproductive cycle.
Read too: Ovaries - an important part of the female reproductive system
What is the ovarian cycle?
The ovarian cycle takes place in the ovaries. Without a doubt, the most remarkable event of this cycle is ovulation, that is, the release of the oocyte. However, it starts before with the maturation of the follicle (the structure where the oocyte develops).
This cycle begins with the release of a hormone through the hypothalamus: the gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH). This stimulates the release of two other hormones by the adeno-hypophysis: FSH (follicle stimulating hormone) and LH (Luteinizing hormone). FSH works by promoting the development and growth of the follicle, and LH helps in this process.
The follicles grow, and as this growth occurs, there is an increase in hormone production estradiol. It will be released slowly throughout the follicular phase of the ovarian cycle. And on follicular phase that follicle growth and oocyte development is observed.
As estradiol is secreted and its levels increase, FSH and LH levels also increase. The developing follicle grows and forms a bulge that can be seen on the surface of the ovary. FSH and an increase in the LH level cause the follicle to rupture, as does the ovarian wall. At this point, the mature oocyte is released (secondary oocyte) and ovulation occurs.
After that, a new phase in the ovarian cycle begins: a luteal phase. At this stage, LH acts on the follicular tissue of the follicle that has just ruptured, promoting the formation of the corpus luteum. This is a glandular structure that, under the action of LH, secretes the hormones progesterone and estradiol. They are responsible for reducing FSH and LH secretion. This is an important step, because if these hormones do not reduce their secretion, another oocyte can be released.
If the woman is not pregnant, the corpus luteum disintegrates at the end of the luteal phase. Then the albicans body, a mass of scar tissue. With the disintegration of the corpus luteum, the levels of estradiol and progesterone are reduced, there is an increase in the release of FSH, and a new cycle begins.
What are the symptoms of ovulation?
Ovulation is a process that causes some changes that can be noticed by the woman. Some women, for example, feel a mild pain in the lower abdomen in this period of the cycle. It can still be observed change in basal temperature (body temperature at rest) and in the texture of the cervical mucus.
The temperature rises slightly after ovulation. The mucus, in this period, becomes clearer and more fluid, which generates a sensation of greater lubrication. It is worth noting that the change in the consistency of the mucus does not exactly indicate the day of ovulation, but rather a period that goes from one day before to one day after it. Both temperature and mucus are characteristics that can be observed and used to identify a woman's fertile period.
Read too:Billings Ovulation Method - What It Is And How It Works
Ovulation and the fertile period
The fertile period is understood as the time close to ovulation, being generally considered five days before ovulation and two days after it. This time is considered, as the oocyte survives around 24 hours, but the sperm can remain active for about five days. Thus, if a woman has unprotected sex close to the day of her ovulation, the sperm may remain viable and, consequently, fertilize that released oocyte.
How to determine the fertile period?
Determining the fertile period is important for those women who are planning a pregnancy and is also used by those who are not planning to have children. To discover this period, initially it is essential that the woman write down for at least six months the start dates of your menstrual cycle, that is, the first day of your period.
After this step, the woman must count how many days she had each of her cycles within those six months. To do this, just count the days from the start of menstruation until the day before the next period.
With the time of each cycle established, the difference between the longest cycle and the shortest cycle must be calculated. If the difference is greater than 10, the woman will not be able to determine her fertile period due to the wide variation in her cycles. If the difference is less than 10, it should subtract 18 from the shortest cycle and subtract 11 from the longest. The value obtained from the first subtraction represents the beginning of the fertile period, and the value obtained from the second is the end of it.
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To determine the fertile day:
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Example:
One woman noted her cycle for six months and found that the longest was 31 days and the shortest 27 days. The difference between the two cycles is less than 10, so it could determine your fertile period. She then subtracted 18 from the shorter cycle and 11 from the longer cycle:
27 - 18 = 9
31 - 11 = 20
The results indicate that this woman's fertile period extends from the 9th to the 20th day of the cycle.
Read too:Menstrual colic - may or may not be related to reproductive system problems
By Vanessa Sardinha dos Santos
Biology teacher
Source: Brazil School - https://brasilescola.uol.com.br/o-que-e/biologia/o-que-e-ovulacao.htm