Question

The secretory phase in the human menstrual cycle is considered with respect to the uterine cycle. With respect to the ovarian cycle, the secretory phase coincides with the

• A. luteal phase and lasts for about 6 days
• B. follicular phase and lasts for about 6 days
• C. luteal phase and lasts for about 13 days
• D. follicular phase and lasts for about 13 days

Answer 1

The correct option is C luteal phase and lasts for about 13 days

The phases of the menstrual cycle in the reproductive phase of a menstruating woman can be studied under 2 categories. They can be studied based on the changes occurring in the ovary or the changes occurring in the uterus. It is important to note that the changes in the ovary and that in the uterus are not independent of each other, i.e. they don’t occur at separate times. They are related and occur at the same time, though the duration of these changes may be different.
Considering the ideal duration of menstrual cycle to be 28 days, the changes in the ovarian cycle can be studied under three different phases- follicular phase (day 1-14), ovulatory phase (day 14), and luteal phase (day 15-28). Similarly the changes under the uterine cycle can also be studied under 3 phases- menstrual phase (day 1-3), proliferative phase (day 3-14), and secretory phase (day 15-28). So, here we can see that the secretory phase of the uterine cycle coincides with the luteal phase of the ovarian cycle and lasts for about 13 days.