How does ovulation work?

How does ovulation work?

Ovulation is the release of an egg (ovum) from your ovary. Ovulation is part of the menstrual cycle. On average, it happens on day 14 of a 28-day menstrual cycle. There are multiple hormones involved in ovulation.

The process of ovulation begins when your hypothalamus (a part of your brain) releases gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH). GnRH causes your pituitary gland (a gland in your brain) to secrete follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH).

Between days six and 14 of the menstrual cycle, FSH causes follicles (small sacs of fluid in the ovaries that contain a developing egg) in one ovary to begin to mature. During days 10 to 14 of the cycle, only one of the developing follicles forms a fully mature egg. Around day 14 in the menstrual cycle, a sudden surge in LH causes the ovary to release its egg. This is called ovulation.

After ovulation, the egg begins its five-day journey through your fallopian tube to your uterus. As the egg travels through your fallopian tube, the level of progesterone, another hormone, in your body rises, which helps prepare your uterine lining for pregnancy.