Anovulatory cycle
While the normal menstrual cycle in the human typically lasts 4 weeks (28 days, range 24–35 days) and consists of a follicular phase, ovulation, and a luteal phase, followed by either menstruation or pregnancy, the anovulatory cycle has cycle
lengths of varying degrees. In many circumstances, menstrual intervals are prolonged exceeding 35 days leading to oligomenorrhea (cycle >35 – 180 days interval), or even longer, amenorrhea. In other cases, menstruation may be fairly regular (eumenorrhea), or more frequent (intervals < 21 days), or there may be a loss of menstrual pattern (menorrhagia, dysfunctional uterine bleeding).
Ovarian apoplexy
In the ovaries of sexually mature women, follicles grow, and oocyte matures in them, to prepare for potential fertilization. As a menstrual cycle progresses, a dominant follicle begins to stand out, and in the middle of the menstrual cycle it reaches its maximum size of about 20mm. Then the follicle ruptures, releasing a mature egg (ovulation). The location from which the follicle emerges then forms a temporary cyst, called the corpus luteum, which produces hormones to continue the menstrual cycle and mature the uterine lining. This is the normal ovarian cycle.