The menstrual cycle is the regular, natural process that a woman’s body goes through each month in preparation for a possible pregnancy. It involves the shedding of the uterine lining (menstruation) if pregnancy doesn’t occur, followed by the release of an egg from the ovaries (ovulation). Hormonal changes regulate the cycle, influencing the thickening of the uterine lining and the development of the egg. Understanding the menstrual cycle is crucial in the field of gynecology for assessing reproductive health and fertility.