The Menstrual Cycle and Puberty

• What is the endocrine system responsible for?

  Releasing hormones into the bloodstream
• What hormone do the testes produce?

  Testosterone
• What does testosterone stimulate in men?

  Production of sperm
• What hormone do the ovaries produce?

  Estrogen
• What happens to eggs in the ovaries after puberty?

  They start to mature
• What is ovulation?

  Release of an egg from the ovary
• What occurs if the egg is fertilized?

  It can implant into the uterus wall
• What happens if the egg is not fertilized?

  The egg and uterus lining are released
• What are the four key hormones involved in the menstrual cycle?

  • Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH)
  • Luteinizing hormone (LH)
  • Estrogen
  • Progesterone
• What does FSH do in the menstrual cycle?

  Causes an egg to mature in the ovary
• What is the role of LH in the menstrual cycle?

  Causes the egg to be released
• What is the function of estrogen in the menstrual cycle?

  Maintains the uterus lining
• What does progesterone do in the menstrual cycle?

  Stops the release of FSH and LH
• What happens to progesterone levels if fertilization does not occur?

  Progesterone levels fall
• How do FSH and estrogen interact in the menstrual cycle?

  • FSH causes egg maturation
  • FSH triggers estrogen production
  • Estrogen inhibits further FSH release
• What is the sequence of hormone levels during the menstrual cycle?

  1. FSH rises, triggering estrogen release
  2. Estrogen inhibits FSH, causing it to fall
  3. Estrogen triggers LH release, which peaks at ovulation
  4. After ovulation, progesterone rises
  5. If no fertilization, progesterone falls
• What could you be asked to interpret in an exam regarding reproductive hormones?

  Graphs of hormone levels during the menstrual cycle
• What happens to the uterus lining if fertilization occurs?

  It remains thick for implantation
• What is the duration of the menstrual cycle?

  28 days
• Female reproductive system

  
• What is the role of the pituitary gland in the menstrual cycle?

  Releases FSH and LH hormones
• How does the release of estrogen affect FSH levels?

  Estrogen inhibits FSH production