menstrual cycle + ferlity

• stage 1 of the menstrual cycle (days 1 to 4)

  • starts
  • uterus lining breaks down and egg is expelled with uterus lining
• stage 2 (days 4 to 14)

  • uterus lining thickens and blood vessel grow in preparations for a fertilises egg
• stage 3 (day 14)

  • egg is released from the ovary (ovulation)
• stage 4

  • uterus lining is maintained
  • if no egg has been fertilized th euterus lining breaks down and the cycle repeats
• What is fsh

  • folicile stimulating hormone
  • released by the pituitary gland
  • causes a focilie (egg and surrondings cells) to be transported and matured in the ovaries
  • stimulates the production of oestrogen
• what is the LH (luteinizing hormone)

  • also produced by the pituitary gland
  • LH surge stimulates ovulation at day 14 and causes folicile to develop into corperus lutem
• what is oestrogen

  • secreted by the ovaries
  • repairs the uterus lining and inhibits fsh and stimulates lh
• what is progesterone

  • released by corpeus luteum after ovulation
  • maintains uterus lining and inhibits the released of fsh and lh
  • when the level of progesterone falls it causes the uterus lining to break down and the amount of fsh to increase leading to th4 cycle starting qagain
• what is a contraceptive 


  • something that is used to prevent preganancy
• whayt hormones are used to prevent

  progesterone on it;'s own or progesterone and oestrogen
• how does progesterone and oestrogen prevent pregnancy

  • stimulates the production of thick cervical mucus preventing any sperm from getting through to the entrance of the uterus and also maintain lining
  • both oestrogen and progesterone inhibit FSH which reduce the likelyness of ovalualtion happening
• how can progesterone be administered as a pill

  • taken daily
  • injecteion
• progesterone and oestrogen taken as a contraceptive

  • combined pill taken for 21 days straight then a break for 7 days
  • skin patch same thing
• advatnages of hormonal contraceptives pills

  • can treat other conditions such as painful periods
  • longer lasting than non hormonal methods
  • 99% effective
• disadvanatages of hormonal contraceptives pills

  • can cause unpleasant side effects such as acne and mood swings
  • doesn't protect against sti's
• barrier methods

  • condoms and diaphragms (fit over cervix)
  • stop sperm and egg from meeting
• advanatages of barrier methods

  • no side effects
  • easy to use
  • prevent sti's
• disadvanatages

  • less effective as it can be broken while having intercourse
• What is ivf

  • fsh and lh are inserted inside the woman to increase egg production
  • collects eggs from the woman ovaries and ferlises them in a lab with the man sperm
  • embryo transferred to woman's uterus
• what is clomifene therapy

  • used for woman who don't ovulate properly
  • stimulates FSH abds LH which stimulates egg maturation and ovulation and allowing a couple to have sex during this time period