The female reproductive cycle is a monthly process that prepares the body for potential pregnancy. It typically lasts about 28 days and involves several phases: the menstrual phase, where the uterine lining sheds; the follicular phase, where an egg matures; and the luteal phase, where the body prepares for a possible pregnancy. During the cycle, hormones like estrogen and progesterone play crucial roles in regulating these phases. If fertilization does not occur, hormone levels drop, leading to the start of the next cycle with menstruation. Understanding this cycle is essential for reproductive health.