Hormonal coodination

• Secondary sexual characteristics


  Characteristics caused by reproductive hormones that develop during puberty such as body hair and pelvic build
• Testosterone


  The main male reproductive hormone produced by the testes, stimulates sperm production

  
• Oestrogen

  The main female reproductive hormone produced by the ovaries, a key hormone involved in the menstrual cycle

  
• Menstrual cycle


  A hormone-controlled cycle that occurs in the female reproductive system to prepare for pregnancy

  
• Menstruation


  The process of discharging blood and material from the lining of the uterus through the vagina, if pregnancy does not occur

  
• 28 days


  The typical length of a menstrual cycle

  
• Day 14


  The typical day in to a menstrual cycle where ovulation occurs

  
• Ovulation


  The release of an egg from a follicle in the ovary during the menstrual cycle

  
• Ovary


  An organ of the female reproductive system where egg development occurs and oestrogen and progesterone are released

  
• Uterus


  A muscular organ of the female reproductive system where a fertilised egg develops into an embryo and eventually a foetus

  
• Lining of the uterus


  The walls of the uterus that need to be maintained for an embryo to implant and develop

  
• Fallopian tube or oviduct


  The tube connecting the ovary and uterus, where the egg moves from the ovary and meets the sperm if intercourse has occurred

  
• Fertilised egg or zygote


  When a sperm cell and egg cell fuse and begin to develop into an embryo

  
• Egg cell


  Contains genetic information from the mother, needs to fuse with a sperm cell for fertilisation to occur

  
• Sperm cell


  Contain genetic information from the father, needs to fuse with an egg cell for fertilisation to occur

  
• Follicle


  A small sac that houses one developing egg cell and is found in the ovaries

  
• Pituitary gland


  The master gland that is responsible for releasing FSH and LH

  
• Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)


  Responsible for stimulating the growth of a follicle and the maturation of an egg in the ovary
• Luteinising hormone (LH)


  Responsible for ovulation by stimulating the release of the egg from a follicle in the ovary
• Oestrogen and progesterone


  Reproductive hormones responsible for maintaining the lining of the uterus

  
• Corpus luteum


  A structure that forms from a follicle when an egg is released, releases progesterone

  
• Contraception


  A method or device used to prevent pregnancy from occuring

  
• Hormonal methods


  Contraceptive methods that involve the use of hormones to inhibit other reproductive hormones and prevent egg implantation

  
• Non-hormonal methods


  Contraceptive methods such as barrier methods that do not involve the use of hormones

  
• Barrier methods


  Contraceptive methods that prevent the sperm from reaching the egg

  
• Oral contraceptive


  A contraceptive such as the combined pill which must be swallowed to work

  
• Combined pill


  An oral contraceptive containing oestrogen and progesterone that inhibits other hormones and prevents egg formation and implantation

  
• Progesterone-only pill (POP)


  An oral contraceptive containing just progesterone to reduce the chances of side effects associated with oestrogen

  
• Condom


  An effective barrier method that is also the only contraceptive capable of preventing sexually-transmitted infections

  
• Femidom


  A female condom that is worn inside of the vagina during sexual intercourse

  
• Diaphragm or cap


  A long-lasting barrier method that is inserted into the vagina and covers the cervix to prevent sperm from reaching the uterus

  
• Intrauterine device (IUD)


  A T-shaped copper-coated device that is professionally inserted into the uterus and can kill sperm or prevent the implantation of an embryo

  
• Intrauterine system (IUS)


  A T-shaped plastic device that is professionally inserted into the uterus and releases progesterone to inhibit egg development

  
• Injection, implant or skin patch

  Sources of slow release progesterone which inhibits the maturation of eggs for a number of months or years

  
• Spermicidal agents


  Kills or disable sperm to reduce the chances of pregnancy, often used in combination with other contraceptive methods

  
• Abstaining


  Choosing not to have sexual intercourse especially when an egg may be in the oviduct
• Family planning


  Careful planning by individuals regarding pregnancy and contraception that may involve research and education, can be mediated by professionals

  
• Surgical methods


  Male and female sterilisation are permanent methods of contraception, chosen by individuals who no longer want children

  
• Reason for specific contraceptive choices


  Lifestyle, effectiveness, risk of side effects, permanence of method, infection prevention, ease of application, frequency of use
• Negative feedback loop


  Where a change in something brings about a process that causes the opposite effect, keeping levels constant