Menstrual cycle

• Changes in females during puberty

  • Breasts develop
  • Hips widen
  • Vagina, ovaries and uterus develop
• Changes in males during puberty

  • Sperm develops
  • Body becomes muscular
  • Facial/body hair grows
  • Voice deepens
  • Testicles drop
• Puberty in females


  Controlled by estrogen
• Puberty in males


  Controlled by testosterone
• Menstrual cycle


  Monthly cycle controlled by hormones
• Hormones controlling the menstrual cycle

  • Progesterone
  • Estrogen
  • LH
  • FSH
• Role of FSH


  1. Secreted by pituitary gland

  2. Detected by ovaries

  3. Causes follicles to grow and mature

  4. Stimulates ovaries to produce estrogen
• Role of LH


  1. Secreted by pituitary gland

  2. Detected by ovaries

  3. Causes ovary to release egg (ovulation)

  4. Causes lining to thicken
• Role of progesterone


  1. Secreted by empty follicle

  2. Inhibits LH and FSH production

  3. Maintains thick uterine lining

  4. Prepares uterus for implantation
• Menstrual cycle stages


  1. Menstruation (days 1-4)

  2. Uterine lining builds up (days 5-13)

  3. Ovulation (day 14)

  4. Luteal phase (days 15-28)
• If no egg is fertilized, the uterine lining breaks down and menstruation starts again
• A fertilized egg embeds into the uterine lining
• The ovary continues to produce progesterone and estrogen during pregnancy