The menstrual cycle & sex hormones

• Male puberty involves body hair, growth in the penis, sperm production, a deeper voice and increased muscle growth.
• Female puberty involves body hair, breast tissue, menstrual cycle, and the widening of the hips.
• FSH

  Gland: pituitary

  TT: Ovarian follicle

  E: stimulate ovarian follicle to mature.
• LH

  G: Pituitary

  TT: ovarian follicle

  E: stimulate rupture of mature follicle, releasing egg.
• Oestrogen

  G: ovaries

  PTT: uterus

  PE: uterus lining to thicken

  STT: pituitary gland

  SE: inhibits FSH, promotes LH
• Progesterone

  G: corpus luteum

  PTT: pituitary gland

  PE: inhibits further release of FSH and LH

  STT: uterus

  SE: maintains uterus lining.
• The mixed pill, mini pill, implant and intrauterine methods all contain oestrogen and progesterone to inhibit FSH release and ensure maturation does not occur in the cycle. This could lead to raised blood pressure, thrombosis and breast cancer.
• Chemical methods can be placed into the vagina prior to sex to kill or disable sperm [spermicide]
• Barrier methods physically prevent sperm from entering the vagina.
• You may be infertile if you have endometriosis, a low sperm count or you have irregular periods.