Menstrual cycle

• What is puberty?

  Period of developing secondary sexual characteristics
• What hormone is associated with the development of facial hair in males?

  testosterone
• What hormone is responsible for breast development in females?

  Oestrogen
• What are the stages of the menstrual cycle?

  1. Day 1-6: Breakdown of womb lining, bleeding
  2. Day 14: Ovulation, egg released from ovary
  3. Day 28: Uterus lining thickens, prepares for potential pregnancy
• What is the average length of the menstrual cycle?

  28 days
• What role does oestrogen play in the menstrual cycle?

  Stimulates the growth of the uterus lining
• What happens to oestrogen levels during stage 2 of the menstrual cycle?

  They decrease and fall after lining growth
• What is the function of progesterone in the menstrual cycle?

  Increases and maintains the uterine lining
• What happens if progesterone levels drop?

  The uterine lining breaks down
• What is the role of FSH in the menstrual cycle?

  Stimulates egg maturation in the ovary
• What is the function of LH in the menstrual cycle?

  Stimulates the release of the egg
• How do hormones interact during the menstrual cycle?

  • Pituitary gland releases FSH
  • FSH stimulates oestrogen release from follicles
  • Rising oestrogen inhibits FSH (negative feedback)
  • Oestrogen stimulates LH release
  • LH causes ovulation
  • Follicle becomes corpus luteum, producing progesterone
  • Progesterone inhibits FSH and LH
• What gland releases FSH

  pituitary gland
• What does oestrogen inhibit as its levels rise

  FSH
• What does oestrogen stimulate the release of

  LH in the pituitary gland
• What does the corpus luteum produce

  Progesterone
• What does progesterone inhibit

  LH and FSH