Hormones of the menstrual cycle

A surge of LH triggers ovulation, and the corpus luteum then makes progesterone to hold the uterine lining ready.

A worked example

The luteal phase is close to 14 days in most people, so in a 26 day cycle ovulation falls near day 26 - 14 = day 12.

The mistake people actually make

It is the follicular phase, not the luteal phase, that stretches or shortens to change cycle length. FSH grows the follicle; LH is what ruptures it.

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