Menstrual cycle

• FSH - Causes an egg to mature in the ovaries.
• LH - Causes the egg to be released, in other words ovulation
• Oestrogen and progesterone (Produced in the ovary) are involved in maintaining the uterus lining
• 1st stage - FSH is released by the pituitary gland
• 2nd stage - FSH travels in the blood to ovaries where it causes an egg to mature
• 3rd stage - Oestrogen causes the lining off the uterus to become thick
• 4th stage - Oestrogen also stops the pituitary gland for releasing any more FSH
• 5th stage - Instead the pituitary gland now releases LH
• 6th stage - LH triggers ovulation
• 7th stage - Once the ovary has released its egg , the ovary now produces the hormone progesterone
• 8th stage - Progesterone stops the pituitary gland from releasing FSH and LH prevents anymore eggs from maturing or being released
• 9th stage - Progesterone keeps the lining of uterus thick
• 10th stage - If fertilisation does not take place then the level of progesterone falls
• 11th stage - The uterus lining and the egg are now released and the woman has a period