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What happens to the corpus luteum if fertilization does not occur?

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Front view anatomical diagrams of the male and female reproductive systems, with labeled organs including penis, testis, prostate gland, uterus, ovary, and vagina. — human reproductive system Organs and structures of the male and female reproductive systems.

If fertilization does not occur, the corpus luteum has a limited lifespan of approximately 14 days. As the gland begins to degenerate, it shrinks and undergoes involution. Fibrous tissue forms within the structure, converting it into a whitish, scar-like mass known as a corpus albicans, which may persist for a few months.123

During this process, the production of progesterone declines significantly. This drop in hormone levels triggers the shedding of the uterine lining, resulting in menstruation.31