During which phase do the follicle and egg mature?

The follicular phase is the stage in the menstrual cycle during which the follicles in the ovaries mature and prepare for ovulation. This phase begins on the first day of menstruation and lasts until ovulation occurs. Several hormones, notably follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), stimulate the growth of the ovarian follicles, resulting in the maturation of the eggs contained within them.

Throughout this phase, one follicle typically becomes dominant and continues to develop, while the others undergo atresia (a process of degeneration). The rise in estrogen levels produced by the maturing follicles also plays a crucial role in preparing the uterine lining for a potential pregnancy.

Understanding this phase is important because it sets the stage for the ovulatory phase that follows, where the matured egg is released. The other phases mentioned do not involve the maturation of the follicle and egg; for instance, the luteal phase focuses on the preparation of the uterine lining after ovulation, while the menstrual and ovulatory phases serve different functions in the cycle.