The ovary proceeds through the following phases: Follicular (preovulatory) Ovulatory Luteal (postovulatory—see figure The idealized cyclic changes in pituitary gonadotropins, estradiol (E2), progesterone (P), and uterine endometrium during the normal menstrual cycle) The endometrium also cycles through phases: Menstrual Proliferative Secretory Follicular phase This phase varies in length more than other phases.