MENSTRUAL CYCLE

• Major stage of puberty (between the

ages of 8 and 13)

• From the beginning of one period to the

beginning of the next takes about 28
days for most people (can differ)
 DAY 1 - 7
• First day of menstrual period

• Blood and tissues that have built up on the

inner lining of the uterus flow of out of the
vagina

• Last anywhere between 2-7 days

• After menstruation, the body begins

releasing hormones that signal the uterus to
get ready to receive a new egg ( 1/10 of a
poppy seed)
 DAY 8 - 13
• Hormones prepare an egg to be
released from the ovary

• Lining of uterus thickens and becomes

rich in blood and nutrients in case a
sperm fertilizes the egg

• The fertilized egg would then attach

to the lining
 DAY 14
• Middle of the cycle ovulation occurs

• Ovulation is when the egg is released

from one of the ovaries.

• During this time the egg will travel

down the fallopian tube
 Ovulation
• BEFORE ovulation – estrogen is released
to stimulate the uterus to build the
lining with extra blood and tissue to
prepare for pregnancy

• If the egg is fertilized by the sperm

cell it travels to the uterus and
attaches
 DAY 15-28
• Most of the time the egg is not fertilized

• If the egg is not fertilized the egg will

begin to dissolve

• Then the uterus no longer needs the extra

blood and tissue

• Then the menstrual cycle starts over again

 Women may experience…

• Fluid retention
• Cramping
• Mood swings
• Weight gain
• Breast tenderness
• Diarrhea
• Constipation
 Hormones
• FSH – Follicle Stimulation - Produced
Hormone in the
• LH - Luteinizing hormone LH – pituitary
gland
signals ovulation
• Estrogen – produced
throughout the menstrual cycle
• Progesterone – produced during -Produced
second half of cycle – by the
follicles in
contributes to thickening of the
the endometrium which is shed ovaries
during the menstrual phase if
fertilization does not take place
http://kidshealth.org/misc/movie/bodybasics/bodyba
sics_female_repro.html

http://www.plannedparenthood.org/health-
topics/emergency-contraception-morning-after-pill-
4363.asp