follicular phase (menstrual cycle)
Last reviewed 01/2018
- first phase in the cycle
- FSH stimulates growth in follicles
- growth of one follicle outstrips others and produces inhibin leading to atresia of other follicles (those initially stimulated by FSH) as the levels of FSH fall during the mid-follicular phase
- there is a marked increase in oestrogen production by the remaining (dominant) follicle that precedes ovulation