Reproductive hormones in the menstrual cycle

• Hormones are secreted by glands in the endocrine system
• Puberty is the stage in life when a child's body develops into an adult's body, usually between the ages of 10 and 16
• During puberty, hormones create changes in physical and emotional characteristics
• Reproductive hormones cause secondary sex characteristics to develop during puberty
• Testosterone is the main male reproductive hormone, produced by the testes and stimulates sperm production
• Oestrogen is the main female reproductive hormone, produced by the ovaries, responsible for puberty in girls and regulation of the menstrual cycle
• The menstrual cycle is a recurring process that takes around 28 days
• During the menstrual cycle, the lining of the uterus is prepared for pregnancy and shed if fertilization does not occur
• Hormones involved in the menstrual cycle:

  • FSH (follicle stimulating hormone): Causes an egg to mature in an ovary, stimulates ovaries to release oestrogen
  • Oestrogen: Stops FSH production, repairs and maintains the uterus lining, stimulates the pituitary gland to release LH
  • LH (luteinising hormone): Triggers ovulation
  • Progesterone: Maintains the uterus lining during the middle part of the menstrual cycle and during pregnancy
• If a woman becomes pregnant, the placenta produces progesterone to maintain the uterus lining and prevent menstruation
• Hormones are secreted by glands in the endocrine system
• During puberty, hormones create changes in physical and emotional characteristics
• Puberty is the stage in life when a child's body develops into an adult's body, usually between the ages of 10 and 16
• Reproductive hormones cause secondary sex characteristics to develop
• Testosterone is the main male reproductive hormone, produced by the testes and stimulates sperm production
• Oestrogen is the main female reproductive hormone, produced by the ovaries, responsible for puberty in girls and regulation of the menstrual cycle
• During puberty, eggs begin to mature and one is released approximately every 28 days, known as ovulation
• The menstrual cycle is a recurring process that takes around 28 days
• The lining of the uterus is prepared for pregnancy during the menstrual cycle
• If implantation of the fertilised egg into the uterus lining does not happen, the lining is shed, known as menstruation
• Hormones involved in controlling the menstrual cycle:

  • FSH (follicle stimulating hormone): Causes an egg to mature in an ovary, stimulates the ovaries to release oestrogen
  • Oestrogen: Stops FSH production, repairs, thickens, and maintains the uterus lining, stimulates the pituitary gland to release LH
  • LH (luteinising hormone): Triggers ovulation
  • Progesterone: Maintains the lining of the uterus during the middle part of the menstrual cycle and during pregnancy
• If a woman becomes pregnant, the placenta produces progesterone to maintain the uterus lining and prevent menstruation