Puberty and menstrual cycle

Where is progesterone produced and what does it do?

- produced in the ovaries
- maintains the lining of the uterus

where is oestrogen produced and what does it do?

- produced in the ovaries
- causes the lining of the uterus to build up and thicken again after menstruation

Where is FSH produced and what does it do?

- FSH is produced by the pituitary gland in the brain.

- Causes an egg to mature in the ovary, stimulating the ovaries to produce oestrogen.

Where is LH produced and what does it do?

- LH is produced in the pituitary gland in the brain when it is stimulated by oestrogen.

- It stimulates the release of an egg from the ovaries at day 14 (ovulation).

what happens in day 1-7 of the menstrual cycle?

menstruation occurs and the uterus lining is shed, then the pituitary gland produces FSH stimulating an egg in the ovaries to mature, this then stimulates the ovaries to release oestrogen

what happens on day 8-13 of the menstrual cycle?

oestrogen causes the lining to thicken and it also inhibits the production of FSH to prevent another egg from maturing in the ovaries but it stimulates the release of another hormone: LH

What happens on day 14 of the menstrual cycle?

release of LH causes mature egg to be released from the ovary(ovulation)

what happens on day 15-28 of the menstrual cycle?

- the follicle which previously contained the immature egg releases progesterone which inhibits the production of FSH and LH to prevent another egg from beginning to mature, and the lining of the uterus is maintained

what happens if pregnancy doesn’t occur

progesterone levels drop and the lining of the uterus is no longer maintained, this causes menstruation where the lining of the uterus is shed