Menstrual Cycle and Hormones

• What is the menstrual cycle?

  The reproductive cycle in women
• When does the menstrual cycle start?

  With a period (menstruation)
• What happens if a woman is pregnant?

  The menstrual cycle does not occur
• What is the average duration of menstruation?

  4 days
• What is the range of menstruation duration?

  3 to 9 days
• When does ovulation occur?

  On day 14
• What is the highest chance of pregnancy during the menstrual cycle?

  Days 14 to 17
• What happens to the egg if it is not fertilized?

  It dies on day 25
• How many ovaries do females have?

  Two ovaries
• How do ovaries alternate during the menstrual cycle?

  They alternate which releases an egg
• What is the lifetime of sperm cells?

  7 days
• Why can a woman become pregnant at any time in her cycle?

  Due to the lifetime of sperm cells
• Is it true that a woman can't get pregnant during her period?

  No, it's a misconception
• What can cause cramps during menstruation?

  Squeezing of the uterus muscles
• What triggers the menstrual cycle to occur?

  When the woman is not pregnant
• What are the roles of FSH, LH, Oestrogen, and Progesterone in the menstrual cycle?

  • FSH: Stimulates egg maturation and oestrogen production
  • LH: Triggers ovulation and corpus luteum growth
  • Oestrogen: Builds uterine lining and inhibits FSH
  • Progesterone: Maintains uterine lining
• When is FSH at its lowest during the cycle?

  Days 1 to 4
• When does FSH peak during the cycle?

  On day 13
• What is the role of LH in the menstrual cycle?

  Stimulates ovulation and corpus luteum growth
• When does LH peak during the cycle?

  On day 10
• What is the role of oestrogen in the menstrual cycle?

  Builds the lining of the uterus
• When does oestrogen peak during the cycle?

  On day 10
• What is the role of progesterone in the menstrual cycle?

  Maintains the lining of the uterus
• When does progesterone begin to increase?

  On day 11
• When does progesterone rapidly decrease?

  Days 23 to 28
• What are the patterns of hormone levels during the menstrual cycle?

  • FSH: Lowest days 1-4, peaks day 13
  • LH: Lowest days 1-4, peaks day 10
  • Oestrogen: Lowest days 1-4, peaks day 10
  • Progesterone: Lowest days 1-4, increases from day 11
• On average, what is the phase a woman goes through during days one to four in the menstrual cycle?

  Menstruation
• On average, what is the phase a woman goes through during days to thirteen in the menstrual cycle?

  Egg maturation
• On average, what is the phase a woman goes through 2 weeks into the menstrual cycle?

  Ovulation
• On average, what happens for three days after ovulation, typically through days 14 to 17?

  The egg travels through the oviduct (also known as the fallopian tube)
• How long is the egg in your uterus?

  12 to 24 hours, after this point the eggs dies.