The endometrium (the inside of the uterus) is proliferated by the hormone Estrogen, which is later stabilized by Progesterone, created after ovulation by the corpus luteum. Once the corpus luteum dies after 14 days, then there's no more production of Progesterone and Estrogen. The endometrium is not stabilized with the drop in hormones and it sheds (a period). However, if one gets pregnant, hCG is produced which keeps the corpus luteum alive and it continues to produce these hormones (Progesterone and Estrogen) and there's no period...
March 23, 2008