Menstrual cycle

Ovulation

An egg released every 28 days

Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH)

Causes follicle to grow and egg to mature

Luteinising Hormone (LH)

Causes egg to be released - ovulation

Oestrogen

Causes uterus lining to become think

Inhibits FSH

Stimulates LH production

Progesterone

Maintain uterus lining

Menstrual Cycle

FSH secreted by pituitary gland and causes egg to mature and triggers oestrogen.

This causing lining to thicken and stops release of FSH.

LH now released which triggers ovulation

Progesterone now released, which stops FSH and LH secretion and maintains lining

If fertilisation does not take place progesterone levels fall and egg is released as a period

Mixed Oral pill 

Contains hormones to prevent production of FSH

Prevents uterus wall from developing

Very effective

Risks- Blood clots and breast cancer, No protection against STIs, has to be taken daily

Progesterone only pill

Progesterone inhibits LH so no egg released

Injection

Progesterone stops egg from maturing and being released by inhibiting LH

Longer term solution

No protection against STIs

Condom or Diaphragm

Prevent sperm from reaching egg

No hormones- no side effects, protection against STIs

IUD

Prevent embryo from implanting and uses hormones to reduce chances of fertilisation

Sterilisation

Prevents egg from reaching uterus

Very hard to reverse

IVF

In vitro ferilisation- mother given FSH and LH causing several eggs to mature.

The eggs are then collected from the mother and sperm from the father, which is then fertilised in a lab

Once formed into embryos, they are inserted into the womb

Infertility injection

FSH and LH given to a woman so that she ovulates more than usual

Thyroxine

Stimulates basal metabolic rate, so chemical reactions take place quicker, and responsible for growth and development

Adrenal glands

Produce adrenaline in stressful situations which causes heart rate to increase so more oxygen and glucose can be used in respiration

This prepares the body for flight of fight mode