Control of the Menstrual Cycle

• What are the four hormones involved in control of the menstrual cycle?

  Oestrogen, progesterone, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH).
• What is FSH?


  Follicle-stimulating hormone
• Where is FSH secreted by?


  Pituitary gland
• What is the function of FSH in the menstrual cycle?


  -Causes eggs to mature in the ovaries in the first part of the cycle

  -Stimulates the ovaries to produce oestrogen
• Where is oestrogen secreted by?


  Ovaries
• What is the function of oestrogen in the menstrual cycle?


  -inhibits FSH release

  -stimulates LH release

  -makes the pining of the uterus grow again after menstruation
• What is LH?


  Luteinising Hormone
• Where is LH secreted by?


  Pituitary gland
• What is the function of LH in the menstrual cycle?


  Stimulates the release of the egg from the ovary
• What is ovulation?


  The release of an egg from the ovary.
• Which hormone performs ovulation?

  Luteinising hormone
• Where is progesterone secreted?


  Empty follicle in the ovaries
• What is the function of progesterone in the menstrual cycle?


  -Maintaining the uterus lining during the second half of the cycle

  -Inhibits both FSH and LH release
• Describe the order of hormones in the menstrual cycle

  1. FSH
  2. Oestrogen
  3. LH
  4. Progesterone
• Which hormone in the menstrual cycle causes eggs to mature in the ovaries?

  Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)
• Which hormone makes the lining of the uterus grow again after menstruation?

  Oestrogen
• Which hormone in the menstrual cycle stimulates the release of the egg from the ovary?

  Luteinising hormone (LH)
• Which hormone maintains the lining of the uterus during the second half of the cycle?

  Progesterone
• How often is an egg released by ovulation in women?


  Approximately every 28 days
• What does the variability in the ovulation cycle indicate among different women?


  It indicates that the timescale can vary considerably
• What happens to the egg if it is not fertilised?


  The egg and lining are shed
• What is the physiological process called when the lining and egg are shed?


  This process is called menstruation
• What is another term commonly used for menstruation?


  Period
• How is menstruation typically observed in terms of physical signs?


  It is noticed as a small volume of blood
• How long do most women have a menstrual cycle for?

  28 days