Describe What Is Happening In The Uterus During The Reproductive Cycle

Question 1

Describe what happens to the uterus during menstrual stage (day 1-4)

Answer 1

Progesterone and oestrogen levels fall.
Functional layer of endometrium is shed in menstruation as myometrium contracts

Question 2

Describe what happens to the uterus during proliferative stage (day 5-14)

Answer 2

Maturing ovarian follicle stimulates the thickening (regrow the) of the functional layer of the endometrium to prepare to hold the fertilised ovum.
Endometrium thickens, becoming very vascular and rich in muscle secreting glands.
This stage ends at ovulation.

Question 3

Describe what happens to the uterus during secretory stage (day 15-28)

Answer 3

Progesterone from corpus luteum stimulates the endometrium to become oedematous (like oedema) and secretory glands produce increased amount of watery mucus.
This helps mobile spermatozoa through the uterus to uterine tubes and fertilise the ovum.
This stage begins at ovulation.