Understanding the Female
Reproductive System
Before starting your infertility treatment, it’s important to understand the intricacies of the female reproductive system. At Empower Fertility, we’re here to provide you with the information you need, empowering you to take the next steps on your path to parenthood.
How Many Eggs Do Women Have?
Women are born with 1 to 2 million eggs stored in their ovaries, which are depleted over the course of their reproductive years. By puberty, only around 300,000 eggs remain. Of these remaining eggs, only about 500 will be ovulated during a woman’s reproductive lifetime. The remaining eggs gradually decline until menopause.
The Menstrual Cycle
The menstrual cycle is a coordinated hormonal process involving the hypothalamus, pituitary glands, ovaries, and uterus. A typical cycle repeats about every 28 days and prepares a woman’s body for potential pregnancy.
Internal Female Reproductive Organs
Vagina: The vaginal canal connects the cervix to the outside of the body, also known as the birth canal.
Uterus: The uterus is a hollow, pear-shaped organ where the fetus develops. It is made up of the cervix (lower part) and the corpus (main body). The cervix allows sperm to enter and menstrual blood to leave the body.
Fallopian Tubes: Narrow tubes attached to the upper part of the uterus, serving as tunnels for eggs to travel from the ovaries to the uterus. Fertilization typically occurs here before the embryo moves to the uterus for implantation.
Ovaries: Small, oval-shaped glands that produce eggs and hormones necessary for conception and ovulation.
The Phases of the Menstrual Cycle
1.
The Follicular Phase
The follicular phase starts on the first day of a woman’s period. The hypothalamus produces gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), which stimulates the release of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH). These hormones stimulate 15-20 eggs to grow within their follicles. Estrogen increases, turning off FSH to limit the number of growing follicles. Eventually, one follicle becomes dominant, while the others stop growing.
2.
The Ovulatory Phase
Around day 14 of the cycle, ovulation occurs. The dominant follicle releases its egg (ovulation) in response to a surge in LH triggered by rising estrogen levels. The egg is captured by the fallopian tube. During this phase, the uterine lining thickens in preparation for implantation and fertilization.
3.
The Luteal Phase
Following ovulation, the empty follicle becomes the corpus luteum, which produces progesterone to prepare the uterus for a fertilized egg to implant. If the egg is fertilized, it will travel to the uterus and implant into the uterine lining, signaling the start of pregnancy. If not, the egg is shed, and the lining breaks down to begin the next menstrual period.
Ovulation and Menstruation
Understanding the cycle is crucial for recognizing when ovulation occurs and preparing for pregnancy. If ovulation is irregular, it may be more challenging to conceive. We recommend speaking with a fertility expert to review your health and conduct tests to optimize your chances of conception.
Speak with a Infertility Expert
Contact our fertility clinic today to speak with experts who have over 30 years of experience in infertility treatments. We’re here to guide you through every step of your fertility journey.