The menstrual cycle is a process in the female reproductive system typically lasting about 28 days. It involves a series of hormonal and physical changes to prepare the body for pregnancy. The cycle starts with the breakdown of the uterus lining, which is shed from the body as a period. Next, the uterus lining begins to thicken again and an egg matures in the ovaries. Around the middle of the cycle, the mature egg is released from the ovary in a process called ovulation. If the egg is not fertilised by a sperm cell, the uterus lining breaks down and menstruation begins again, marking the start of a new menstrual cycle.
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