What Happens to an Unfertilized Egg After Ovulation
To know what happens to an unfertilized egg after ovulation, one first has to know the basics of the menstrual cycle.
The menstrual cycle begins on the first day of the menstrual period and extends to the day before the next one. It typically lasts for 28 days but may also range between 21 to 35 days.
There are two major parts to a menstrual cycle, the first being the ovarian cycle and, by extension, ovulation, and the other being the uterine cycle.
Ovarian cycle
The ovarian cycle is also further divided into two phases:
The follicular phase encompasses the release of a mature egg from the ovary into the fallopian tubes. It occurs around the middle of the menstrual cycle, 14 days before the start of the next period.
The luteal phase is the second phase that begins immediately after the follicular phase. It involves the preparation of a fertilized egg. In this phase, the cervical mucus becomes slippery to help fertilization occur seamlessly, and the uterine lining thickens.
What Happens to an Unfertilized Egg After Ovulation
If the egg is not fertilized within 24 hours of its release, it goes through the following processes:
- Egg disintegration
After the 24-hour mark, the egg disintegrates and is absorbed back into the body in a process called atresia.
- Decrease in hormone levels
The Corpus Luteum is responsible for producing the hormones to maintain the uterine lining. A breakdown of the corpus luteum means that the hormones progesterone and estrogen that increase in preparation for fertilization decrease.
- Shedding of the uterine lining
The decrease in hormone levels triggers the shedding of the uterine walls, and this results in menstruation, where the lining and the unfertilized egg are expelled through the vagina. This happens 12 -16 days after failing to fertilize the egg.
- Start of a New Cycle:
The menstrual period typically lasts 3-7 days and results in a reset of the menstrual cycle from the first day of the period.
Following menstruation, the hormone levels start to rise again, leading to the development of new follicles in the ovaries. This cyclical process continues throughout a woman’s reproductive years until menopause, when ovulation and menstruation cease.
