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Menstrual Cycle

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Encyclopedia of Diagnostic Imaging
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Definition

The menstrual cycle is defined as a recurring cycle of physiological changes in females that is associated with fertility. In women of reproductive age, the time of imaging during the menstrual cycle influences the imaging appearance of the female genital organs, i.e., uterus and ovaries.

The menstrual cycle of hormonal changes is measured from the beginning of the first day of menstruation. The average menstrual cycle is 28 days with a wide individual range. The hormones (estrogen and progesterone) control the menstrual cycle. At the beginning of the menstrual cycle from days 1–4 is the menstruation. Then the pituitary gland releases FSH, which makes the immature follicles to grow in the ovaries. Estrogen level rises, since the developing follicle secretes the hormone in the proliferative phase (days 5–12). During the ovulation, estrogen is at the maximum level and the follicle on the ovary's wall bursts releasing the egg. After ovulation, the secretory phase begins (days...

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Bibliography

  1. Haynor DR, Mack LA, Moss et al (1986) Changing appearance of the normal uterus during the menstrual cycle: MR studies. Radiology 161:459–462

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© 2008 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg New York

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Unterweger, M., Kubik, R.A. (2008). Menstrual Cycle. In: Baert, A.L. (eds) Encyclopedia of Diagnostic Imaging. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-540-35280-8_1537

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-540-35280-8_1537

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-540-35278-5

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-540-35280-8

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