The process in which the egg matures, is released and the uterus prepares to receive it?

The process you're referring to is called the menstrual cycle. Here are the steps:

1. Follicular Phase: This is the first part of the menstrual cycle. It starts on the first day of your period. During this phase, your brain's hypothalamus sends a signal to your pituitary gland to release follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). This hormone stimulates your ovaries to produce around 5 to 20 small sacs called follicles. Each follicle contains an immature egg.

2. Ovulation: This is the midpoint of the menstrual cycle, around day 14. The level of another hormone, luteinizing hormone (LH), surges up, triggering the release of the egg that's most mature out of the follicle in the ovary in a process called ovulation. The released egg is swept into the fallopian tube and towards the uterus.

3. Luteal Phase: After the egg is released, the ruptured follicle closes after releasing the egg and forms a corpus luteum, a structure that produces another hormone, progesterone. Progesterone prepares the uterus for a fertilized egg to implant. If an egg is not fertilized, the corpus luteum degenerates and no longer produces progesterone, the uterus sheds its lining and menstrual bleeding occurs.

4. Menstruation: If the egg isn't fertilized or doesn't implant into the uterus, the levels of estrogen and progesterone drop. The thickened lining of the uterus is shed during the menstrual period.