One needs to understand that for conception to take place ova needs to be fertilized with a sperm. Each ovarian cycle in a woman prepares the uterine cavity in anticipation of pregnancy. Every woman undergoes a hormonal cycle lasting for an average of 28 days all throughout her reproductive age. This cycle consists of different phases depending on the levels of the hormones produced by the body and ends with the beginning of menstrual periods. During each ovulation cycle the uterine cavity prepares itself in anticipation of pregnancy. If pregnancy does occur, hormones produced by the placenta and fetus help in maintaining the growth of uterine cells. However if pregnancy does not occur, there are no hormones to support the growth of uterine cells. As a result the proliferated cells of the uterine cavity cannot support themselves and they begin to die. Sloughed off endometrial lining, dead cells and other debris is expelled out of the uterine cavity in form of menstrual bleeding (periods). The first day of the periods can be considered as the first day of the ovulation cycle. The various phases in the ovulation cycle are:

Proliferative phase:

This phase lasts from 1st day to 14th day of ovulation cycle. This phase is dominated by production of hormone called estrogen. Under the effect of estrogen the cells lining the uterine cavity again begin to proliferate, hence the name proliferative phase. The lining cells of the uterine cavity (endometrial cavity) which had been denuded due to the process of menstruation, now again under the effect of estrogens, start growing and regenerating. Many immature follicles (immature ovum) in the ovary begin to proliferate under the effect of the estrogen.
Estrogen is produced under the effect of pituitary hormone called FSH or follicle stimulating hormone. Rise in the level of FSH and estrogen leads to production of another hormone from the pituitary gland called LH or lueteinizing hormone.

Secretary phase:

The production of LH from the pituitary causes release of another hormone called progesterone. Progesterone is the main hormone responsible for bringing about changes in the uterine cells during the secretary phase of the cycle. It also causes growth of glands in the lining of the uterine cavity and helps in improving their secretary activity. Progesterone also causes deposition of glycogen granules inside the endometrial (uterine) cells. At the peak of LH and progesterone secretion (approximately the 14th

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