postmenstrual

Postmenstrual refers to the phase of the menstrual cycle that occurs after menstruation has ended and before ovulation begins. This period is also known as the follicular phase, though the term postmenstrual is more specific to its timing relative to the period. During the postmenstrual phase, hormone levels begin to shift. The pituitary gland releases follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), which stimulates the growth and development of follicles in the ovaries. Each follicle contains an egg. As the follicles grow, they produce estrogen. The rising levels of estrogen cause the uterine lining, the endometrium, to thicken in preparation for a potential pregnancy. This phase can vary in length depending on the individual's cycle. The end of the postmenstrual phase is marked by the onset of ovulation, when a mature egg is released from one of the dominant follicles. Understanding the postmenstrual phase is part of understanding the entire menstrual cycle, which is a complex interplay of hormones regulating reproductive functions.