Hypothalamus, anterior pituitary, ovary and uterus

Menstrual cycle (HPG axis)

The hormone loop that runs the 28-day cycle.

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this pathway
The graph, labelled
FSHLHEstrogenProgesterone FSH LH Estrogen Progesterone Follicular phase Ovulation Luteal phaseendometrium 0 7 14 21 28 day of cycle hormone level
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Net yieldOne ovulation and a receptive endometrium per cycle
Steps5
The two halves
Estrogen builds the house, progesterone furnishes it; pro-gesterone is pro-gestation
Who does what, and the phases
FSH grows the Follicle, LH means Let go, and the phases FOLd M: Follicular, Ovulation, Luteal, Menses