Explain the reproductive phase of life in humans.

Boys and girls become capable of reproduction at puberty because their testes and ovaries begin to release gametes, i.e., sperms and ova respectively. In girls, reproductive phase of life begins at puberty from 10 to 12 years of age and generally lasts till the age of 45 to 50 years. The ova begin to mature with the onset of puberty. The ovum matures and is released by one of the ovaries once in 28 to 30 days. During this period, the wall of the uterus becomes thick so as to receive the egg, in case it is fertilized and begins to develop. This results in pregnancy.

If fertilization does not occur, the released egg, and the thickened lining of the uterus along with its blood vessels are shed off. This causes menstruation. It occurs once in about 28 to 30 days. The first menstrual flow begins at puberty and is termed as menarche. The menstruation stops at the age of 45 to 50. This stage is known as menopause. In male, the reproductive phase begins at puberty at the ages 14-15 and lasts as long as he is healthy.