The menstrual cycle

- 28 days long
- Ovulation (release of an egg from ovaries to oviduct/fallopian tubes) occurs on day
14
- If the egg is not fertilized, menstruation (5-7 days long) occurs (breakdown of the
thickened uterine lining). It signals the beginning of the next menstrual cycle.
Hormones:
1. Oestrogen:
 produced in ovary
 levels rise from day 6 (after menstruation), peak just before day 14 (just
before ovulation)
 stimulates the uterus to develop a lining (after menstruation)
 inhibits FSH production (post-ovulation)
2. Progesterone:
 Produced in ovary/corpus luteum/placenta (if pregnant)
 Low from day 1-14, starts to rise after ovulation occurs
 Drops if fertilization does not occur, causing menstruation
 Maintains and thickens uterine lining further
 Inhibits FSH and LH production.
3. FSH (follicle stimulating hormone):
 Released by pituitary gland in brain
 Rises from day 1-5 (menstruation)
 Stimulates egg maturation in the follicles of the ovary
 Stimulates follicles in the ovaries to secrete oestrogen.
4. LH (Lutenising hormone)
 Released by pituitary gland in brain
 Released when oestrogen levels reach their peak, so it peaks during day 14
 At its peak (day 14) it stimulates ovulation
 Results in the formation of the corpus luteum
Stages of the menstrual cycle:
1. Days 1-5 – Menstruation:
 Breakdown of the uterus lining
 Oestrogen, progesterone, LH levels low
 FSH secreted to stimulate the maturation of one follicle in the ovary.
2. Days 5-13:
 The follicle developed produced oestrogen
 Oestrogen causes growth and repair of the lining of the uterus wall and inhibits
production of FSH
3. Day 14 – Ovulation:
 When oestrogen levels are high enough, it stimulates the release of LH from the
pituitary gland.
 LH peak causes ovulation (release of an egg into the oviducts)
4. Day 15-28:
 LH triggers the formation of a corpus luteum from the follicle.
 Corpus luteum produces progesterone
 Progesterone maintains thickness of uterine lining.
5. SCENARIO 1 – Day 28 – egg not fertilized:
 No implantation takes place; corpus luteum breaks down and progesterone
levels drop.
 Drop in progesterone causes breakdown of uterine lining, so menstruation
occurs and the cycle repeats.
6. SCENARIO 2 – Day 28 – egg is fertilized:
 Corpus luteum continues to produce progesterone
 When the placenta develops, the corpus luteum stops producing progesterone
and the placenta produces progesterone instead throughout the pregnancy.