ovulation

As ovulation is the term used to describe the process by which a fertile egg cell is expelled from the ovary. This usually happens in the middle of a menstrual cycle. In order for an egg to be fertilized, ovulation must have taken place beforehand.

What is ovulation?

Of the ovulation usually takes place once per menstrual cycle. During this process, several egg cells mature in so-called follicles to become fertile. One of these follicles migrates to the ovary wall and then releases an egg about ten to sixteen days before the next regular menstrual period.

This then gets into the fallopian tube and can be fertilized there. This process is controlled by hormones. If more than one ovulation occurs within a cycle, this can lead to multiple pregnancies.

Medical & health tasks & functions

A ovulation is the prerequisite for successful pregnancy. A girl's ovaries contain between one and two million egg cells at birth.

From the onset of puberty to the end of menopause, ovulation usually occurs in each monthly cycle. At the beginning of each cycle, the pituitary gland and hypothalamus release hormones that stimulate the maturation of eggs and the formation of follicles. The follicles themselves also begin to produce hormones. In addition to pre-pregnancy estrogens, this is mainly inhibin, which significantly reduces the ability of the follicle to absorb the corresponding maturation hormones.

This prevents the further maturation of the other ten to twenty follicles formed at the same time from the most developed follicle. This dominant follicle eventually moves to the surface of the ovary, where the follicle opens outward and releases the fertilizable egg. Ovulation is triggered by a sharp increase in the hormones produced by the pituitary gland. With a regular cycle, this takes place between ten and sixteen days before the next expected menstrual period.

Immediately after ovulation, the follicle changes into what is known as the corpus luteum, which produces the hormones of the same name that prepare the uterus for a possible pregnancy. In addition, they cause a slight increase in body temperature, so that a woman can determine the time of ovulation relatively accurately with regular temperature measurement.

Illnesses, ailments & disorders

Since the ovulation is controlled by a complex interaction of different organs and hormones, it can easily lead to disorders that affect the fertility of women.

For example, diseases of the thyroid, liver or kidneys can also affect the female cycle. Malnutrition or excessive exercise can also lead to failure to ovulate. The same applies to mental illnesses, whereby several factors are often present at the same time. Up to twelve percent of all women of reproductive age develop polycystic ovarian syndrome. This is a metabolic disorder that, among other things, caused by increased testosterone levels.

It is mainly characterized by the formation of several cysts up to ten millimeters in size in the ovaries. In addition, the cycle is usually very irregular and, in addition to the absence of ovulation, externally visible symptoms such as acne or excessive hairiness can occur. Women who suffer from obesity are particularly affected by polycystic ovarian syndrome. Other risk factors are genetic insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes.

The fact that ovulation is controlled by hormones can now also be used in contraception. By intervening in the woman's hormonal balance, it can be prevented in a targeted manner that egg cells mature to the point of fertilization and ovulation occurs. The intake of estrogens and / or gestagens counteracts the hormones released by the pituitary gland and the hypothalamus, which control the growth of the follicles and ovulation in the normal course of a cycle.

In addition to the birth control pill, contraceptive sticks, the three-month syringe, the vaginal ring and contraceptive plasters also work according to this principle. The hormone coil not only prevents a fertilized egg from implanting in the mucous membrane, but can also partially prevent follicle maturation and ovulation.

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