7.4/5: stages and hormones of the menstrual cycle

What are the stages in the menstrual cycle?

Menstruation, the follicular phase, ovulation, and the luteal phase

What happens during menstruation?

The lining of the uterus is shed since no fertilised egg was implanted into the uterus

What is the purpose of the body for the menstrual cycle?

It prepares the body for pregnancy

What day is ovulation usually?

Day 14

What is the purpose of FSH and where is it released from?

Released by the pituitary gland, and it stimulates the egg to mature in the follicles and stimulates oestrogen to be released

What is the purpose of oestrogen and where is it released from?

The ovaries, and it inhibits the release of FSH (so that only one egg is matured each month) while stimulating the release of LH. It causes the lining of the uterus to build up

What is the purpose of LH and where is it released from?

Released by the pituitary gland, and stimulates ovulation (the release of an egg) and causes the formation of the corpus luteum (yellow body) - the corpus luteum produces progesterone

What is the purpose of progesterone and where is it released from?

Released by the ovaries, and it maintains the lining of the uterus. It inhibits both FSH and LH

Why does progesterone inhibit FSH and LH?

If a fertilised egg is implanted, then having high levels of progesterone throughout ensures that another egg is not matured or released

If progesterone doesn’t stimulate FSH, how is it released?

The body’s level of progesterone naturally decreases throughout menstruation - when it becomes low enough, FSH is released