Medical Questions » Female Problems Questions » Question No. 374
| Question: | What is the purpose of a woman' s period? |
| Answer: | Once a month, just after a woman releases the egg (at ovulation) from her ovary, the lining of the womb (uterus) is at its peak to allow the embedding of a fertilised egg.
If pregnancy does not occur, the lining of the womb starts to deteriorate as the hormones that sustain it in peak condition alter. After a few days, the lining breaks down completely, sloughs off the wall of the uterus, and is washed away by the blood released from the arteries that supplied it. Contractions of the uterus also help remove the debris.
After 3 to 5 days, the bleeding stops, and a new lining starts to develop ready for the next months ovulation.
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