During which phase of the menstrual cycle does ovulation typically occur?

Ovulation typically occurs in the phase known as the follicular phase of the menstrual cycle. This phase begins on the first day of menstruation and continues until ovulation. During this time, the body prepares for the possibility of pregnancy by maturing several follicles in the ovaries, each containing an egg. Amid rising levels of hormones such as estrogen, one dominant follicle will eventually mature and trigger the release of an egg around the midpoint of the cycle.

The timing of ovulation is crucial for reproduction, as it creates a window when a female is most fertile. Understanding that the follicular phase encompasses the buildup to ovulation helps clarify this physiological phenomenon. The other phases, such as the luteal phase or menstrual phase, are characterized by different hormonal activities and are associated with either the period after ovulation or the shedding of the uterine lining, respectively.